Algeria Commits $5.4B to Desalination for Long-Term Water Security

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Home > News Articles > Algeria Commits $5.4B to Desalination for Long-Term Water Security sewage wastewater treatment plant

Algeria has unveiled a multi-billion-dollar investment plan to expand its desalination capacity, aiming to address persistent water scarcity and enhance long-term water security. As part of its strategy to strengthen critical water infrastructure, the country has allocated approximately $5.4 billion to improve its drinking water supply while mitigating the impacts of climate change and resource scarcity. To tackle these challenges, Algeria has been developing desalination plants through a multi-phase infrastructure initiative designed to supply water for domestic, industrial and agricultural use.

In October 2024, the Algerian government announced a $3 billion investment for the second phase of its national desalination expansion project. This phase will see the construction of seven new desalination plants between 2025 and 2030, strategically located in Tlemcen, Mostaganem, Tizi Ouzou, Chlef, Jijel and Skikda.

With the addition of these facilities, the share of Algeria’s drinking water sourced from the Mediterranean Sea will rise from 18% to 42%, increasing the country’s total desalinated water supply from 2.2 million cubic meters per day to 3.7 million cubic meters per day.

This expansion builds on the successful development of five seawater desalination plants in Oran, Tipasa, Boumerdes, Béjaïa and El Tarf. Once fully operational, all 11 plants – utilizing advanced reverse osmosis technology – will collectively produce up to 300,000 cubic meters of clean water per day, boosting Algeria’s national desalination capacity to 5.8 million cubic meters per day. According to the Algerian government, desalinated water is expected to meet 60% of the country’s drinking water needs by 2030.

As part of its commitment to economic self-sufficiency, Algeria’s desalination initiative will be entirely developed using locally sourced expertise, reinforcing national sovereignty over critical water infrastructure. At the same time, Algeria is exploring international partnerships to accelerate its desalination goals. In November 2024, Minister of Energy and Mines Mohamed Arkab met with Russian State Duma Vice President Vladislav Davankov to discuss potential collaboration on desalination projects, including the application of nuclear technology to seawater treatment. These discussions mark a step toward fostering regional development and leveraging international expertise for sustainable water solutions.

With its substantial investment in desalination, Algeria is positioning itself as a leader in water security across North Africa. By combining large-scale infrastructure development with strategic partnerships, the country is not only addressing immediate water scarcity challenges, but also laying the groundwork for long-term resilience against climate change and growing demand.

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