Algeria opens Tindouf free trade zone
The 200-hectare zone near Mauritania border will boost exports to West Africa.
Algeria is set to open a 200-hectare free trade zone in Tindouf before the end of 2026. The zone, located near the Mauritanian border, aims to increase trade with West African nations, particularly boosting Algerian exports. Minister of Foreign Trade Kamel Rezig announced the impending operational status on Thursday, November 5.
The Tindouf free trade zone is described as a strategic project, featuring six large warehouses, exhibition spaces, a goods control center, and administrative buildings for customs, banks, and insurance. It also includes health and security services, creating a comprehensive environment for economic operators. Construction began in 2024 with the laying of the first stone by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani.
Work on the zone is now fully complete, according to Minister Rezig, who stated that final reception procedures are underway. The government is also coordinating the creation of a public establishment to manage free trade zones. This initiative is intended to establish Tindouf as a central commercial and logistics hub to enhance economic presence in Africa.
Why it mattersAlgerian businesses will gain a direct gateway to Sahel markets, facilitating increased trade and economic activity.