Algeria investigates $130 billion in import requests from micro-enterprises

The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion has launched an investigation into thousands of economic operators following highly disproportionate import requests for the second half of 2026. Analysis of applications submitted via the national digital platform revealed that 3,961 micro-enterprises, employing between zero and five staff members, requested import programs totaling $130.32 billion.

Specific discrepancies include 149 operators with zero employees requesting $484.58 million, and 851 operators with only two employees requesting $76.88 billion. Minister Kamel Rezig noted that these requested amounts significantly exceed the total value of Algeria’s actual annual imports, which historically have not surpassed $70 billion. The ministry aims to verify these files to ensure that declared import volumes align with the actual economic capacity and logistical reality of the businesses involved.