President Tebboune Shuts Down ALGEX: End of an Ineffective Era
In a decisive move that has sent ripples through Algeria’s economic and trade landscape, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has ordered the closure of ALGEX – the National Agency for the Promotion of Exports. The decision comes after mounting criticism from both the public and private sectors, accusing the agency of chronic inefficiency and a complete failure to fulfil its core mission: to promote and support Algerian exports on the international stage.
Created with high hopes of turning Algeria into a regional export powerhouse, ALGEX was mandated to guide, facilitate, and encourage local companies in navigating foreign markets. But for years, the agency has been under fire for its lack of tangible results. Business leaders often lamented that ALGEX operated more as a bureaucratic relic than a dynamic trade facilitator.
“ALGEX became symbolic of what is wrong with many public institutions in Algeria – disconnected, slow, and unaccountable,” commented an Algerian food exporter who requested anonymity. “Instead of opening doors, it stood in the way.”
Critics argue that despite generous government funding, ALGEX failed to attract serious international buyers, organise impactful trade missions, or provide practical support to companies trying to enter foreign markets. Algeria’s non-hydrocarbon exports remain marginal, despite the country’s enormous potential in agri-food, pharmaceuticals, and manufactured goods.
President Tebboune’s decision reflects growing frustration at the sluggish pace of economic diversification. His administration has made clear that export development is no longer optional – it is a strategic necessity. Algeria can no longer afford to rely on oil and gas as its sole economic engine, particularly in a global market that is rapidly shifting toward sustainability and diversified supply chains.
“Export is the future,” said an official at the Ministry of Commerce. “The president’s move to dissolve ALGEX is not just about cleaning house. It is about creating a modern, efficient, and responsive structure that can finally give Algerian businesses the international support they need.”
What comes next remains to be seen. The government is expected to unveil a new export strategy in the coming weeks, possibly including the establishment of a leaner, more focused export development council, directly accountable to the presidency or the Prime Minister’s office.
For many Algerian entrepreneurs and manufacturers – especially in the food sector – this decision brings a sense of overdue relief. The hope now is that it will mark the beginning of a new era, where export promotion is no longer just a slogan, but a structured, result-driven policy priority.
If Algeria is serious about making a name for itself on the international stage, the dismantling of ALGEX must not be the end of the story – it must be the start of a real revolution in export thinking.
