Algeria and China Sign Nine Strategic Agreements: Expanding Economic Ties and Rising Competition in the North African Market
On April 15, 2025, the Algeria–China Business Forum took place in Algiers, organized by the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency (AAPI). The event brought together around 200 companies from both countries and concluded with the signing of nine cooperation agreements in key sectors such as industry, transport, agriculture, household appliances, and logistics.
The forum was held with the organizational support of the office of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and forms part of Algeria’s broader strategy to attract foreign investment, accelerate industrial localization, and develop its manufacturing sector.
Key Agreements Signed at the Forum:
1. Railway Engineering:
An agreement between the National Company of Metal Structures and China’s Genertec CNTIC (CRRC Group) to establish a production complex for assembling railway equipment.
2. Automotive Industry:
• A project between Fonderie Algérienne and Jetour (Chery Holding Group) to build a plant in Batna with an annual capacity of 270,000 vehicles.
• An agreement between Iris and Chery to localize welding and painting of car bodies, creating 1,200 new jobs.
3. Agro-Industry:
• A partnership between Global Agrofood (Madar Group) and a Chinese investor to launch a large-scale agricultural project in southern Algeria.
• An agreement between CRCC and an Algerian agro-industrial holding to develop the livestock sector.
4. Home Appliances Manufacturing:
A cooperation project between Condor and Hisense for the production of air conditioners and washing machines in Algeria.
5. Maritime Logistics:
A joint project between Madar Marine and CRCC for the production of containers for maritime transport.
6. Motorcycle Industry:
A contract between Sigma and China’s QJ Motor for the production of 45,000 motorcycles annually by 2029.
7. Framework Agreement:
A multi-sector cooperation framework agreement between Madar and a group of Chinese partners.
Context and Geoeconomic Dynamics
According to AAPI, trade between Algeria and China reached $12.5 billion in 2024, strengthening Beijing’s position as Algeria’s largest trading partner. A total of 42 Chinese investment projects have been approved, amounting to over $4.5 billion, including 22 direct investments and 20 joint ventures.
China’s growing business presence in Algeria comes amid global competition. For other international players, including Russian companies, this presents both risks of displacement from traditional sectors and opportunities to engage through localized, high-tech partnership models.
Algeria seeks to balance its foreign economic directions, opening its market to both Eastern and Western investors. In this context, studying China’s expansion model, localization terms, and types of cooperation may prove valuable for the strategic planning and adaptation of other countries’ approaches.
On April 15, 2025, the Algeria–China Business Forum took place in Algiers, organized by the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency (AAPI). The event brought together around 200 companies from both countries and concluded with the signing of nine cooperation agreements in key sectors such as industry, transport, agriculture, household appliances, and logistics.
The forum was held with the organizational support of the office of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and forms part of Algeria’s broader strategy to attract foreign investment, accelerate industrial localization, and develop its manufacturing sector.
Key Agreements Signed at the Forum:
1. Railway Engineering:
An agreement between the National Company of Metal Structures and China’s Genertec CNTIC (CRRC Group) to establish a production complex for assembling railway equipment.
2. Automotive Industry:
• A project between Fonderie Algérienne and Jetour (Chery Holding Group) to build a plant in Batna with an annual capacity of 270,000 vehicles.
• An agreement between Iris and Chery to localize welding and painting of car bodies, creating 1,200 new jobs.
3. Agro-Industry:
• A partnership between Global Agrofood (Madar Group) and a Chinese investor to launch a large-scale agricultural project in southern Algeria.
• An agreement between CRCC and an Algerian agro-industrial holding to develop the livestock sector.
4. Home Appliances Manufacturing:
A cooperation project between Condor and Hisense for the production of air conditioners and washing machines in Algeria.
5. Maritime Logistics:
A joint project between Madar Marine and CRCC for the production of containers for maritime transport.
6. Motorcycle Industry:
A contract between Sigma and China’s QJ Motor for the production of 45,000 motorcycles annually by 2029.
7. Framework Agreement:
A multi-sector cooperation framework agreement between Madar and a group of Chinese partners.
Context and Geoeconomic Dynamics
According to AAPI, trade between Algeria and China reached $12.5 billion in 2024, strengthening Beijing’s position as Algeria’s largest trading partner. A total of 42 Chinese investment projects have been approved, amounting to over $4.5 billion, including 22 direct investments and 20 joint ventures.
China’s growing business presence in Algeria comes amid global competition. For other international players, including Russian companies, this presents both risks of displacement from traditional sectors and opportunities to engage through localized, high-tech partnership models.
Algeria seeks to balance its foreign economic directions, opening its market to both Eastern and Western investors. In this context, studying China’s expansion model, localization terms, and types of cooperation may prove valuable for the strategic planning and adaptation of other countries’ approaches.
