Algerian Radio
An African Development Bank official confirmed that Algeria can play a pivotal role in the dynamic of continental development, thanks to its strategic location, economic weight, and steadfast commitment to achieving African economic integration.
In an exclusive interview with APS on the sidelines of the African Development Bank's Annual Meetings currently taking place in Brazzaville, the head of the African Development Bank Group country office in Algeria, Abdoulkader Dileita, stated that several structural projects—such as the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, the Trans-Saharan Highway, and the Trans-Saharan Fiber Optic Backbone network—"make Algeria the natural hub of African integration."
Regarding Algeria's position in the dynamic of continental development, Mr. Dileita emphasized that "Algeria is poised to be a pillar of African development," considering this to be "a reality supported by facts and confirmed by figures."
Mr. Dileita also highlighted Algeria's position as the third-largest African contributor to the African Development Bank, noting that the Bank has allocated more than 26 billion dollars within the framework of cooperation with African partners, in addition to canceling the debts of 18 African countries and making regular contributions to the African Development Fund.
He also went on to say that Algeria occupies a major strategic position in Africa by virtue of its size, economic weight, energy resources, and diplomatic role, making it "a natural bridge between the Mediterranean, the Maghreb, the Sahel, and Sub-Saharan Africa."
In the same vein, the speaker emphasized Algeria's role in achieving regional energy security through its natural gas exports and energy interconnection projects.
Furthermore, Mr. Dileita highlighted the vision adopted by the country's highest authorities in favor of South-South and triangular cooperation, which are considered "a catalyst for peace, shared prosperity, and sustainable development."
In this regard, Mr. Dileita highlighted Algeria's contributions to the development of the continent, recalling that it has allocated significant funding through the Algerian Agency for International Cooperation for Solidarity and Development to finance projects in Africa. He also noted contributions to support governance and finance development mechanisms in Africa, particularly through a 15 million dollar contribution to the African Development Fund, which had been welcomed by the President of the African Development Bank Group, Sidi Ould Tah.
Mr. Dileita also explained that this approach is based on a "principle rooted in respecting the sovereign priorities of African countries, promoting structural projects, and strengthening state sovereignty."
He went on to say that Algeria occupies a "unique position as an African nation fully committed to the continent's affairs, a Mediterranean power, and a natural link between Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe," emphasizing that this constitutes a historic opportunity for the continent.
In the same context, Mr. Dileita emphasized that the partnership between Algeria and the African Development Bank goes beyond the framework of a mere financial relationship, as it is primarily based on a "long-term relationship of trust." He recalled the African Development Bank's contribution to financing the first section (Laghouat - Ghardaïa - El Meniaa) and the Algiers-Tamanrasset railway line, which helped strengthen ties of trust and the exchange of expertise between the Bank's teams and Algerian institutions.
Furthermore, the official highlighted Algeria's expertise in agricultural development in desert regions, considering the experience of desert land reclamation to be "a model with great potential for the African continent," especially in the context of climate change.
He also pointed out that Algeria can play a strategic role in achieving food security for the continent, particularly through its capacity to produce phosphatic and nitrogenous fertilizers, which are presented as a "reliable African alternative" in the face of international supply disruptions.
