Algerian President Tebboune Visits Germany, Pledges Expanded Energy Ties

AllAfrica reported that Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune made his first official visit to Germany since his 2019 election. The two-day trip ended with a joint statement issued alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz that highlighted the quality of bilateral cooperation and committed both countries to expanded long-term energy ties.

The statement described Algeria as a central partner for Europe's energy security.

It called for increased natural gas deliveries, greater cooperation on renewable energy and, in the longer term, construction of a southern hydrogen corridor linking North Africa to Germany. Algeria possesses Africa's second-largest proven natural gas reserves after Nigeria and ranks as the continent's largest producer.

On July 2 its state-owned company Sonatrach completed the first direct shipment of liquefied natural gas to Germany's Wilhelmshaven 1 floating import terminal.

Algeria already operates two pipelines that deliver gas to Italy and Spain. A direct link to Germany would remove the need for liquefaction, shipping and regasification steps, lowering transport costs for those volumes. AllAfrica noted that Algeria shares more than 2,280 kilometers of borders with Mali and Niger.

The country maintains diplomatic relations with both Iran and the United States while supporting the Polisario Front's position on Western Sahara.