الأربعاء، 26 فبراير 2025 
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- The delegation of the National Institute of Political and Strategic Studies of Nigeria (NIPSS), visiting Algeria from May 14 to 21, paid a visit on Monday to the National Institute for Global Strategy Studies (INESG), during which the opportunities for bilateral cooperation, especially in energy, renewable energy, industry, the pharmaceutical industry, and the environment, were highlighted by the executives of the two countries.
In this context, the Director General of INESG, Abdelaziz Medjahed, has highlighted the potential for Algerian-Nigerian cooperation in the fields of energy and the pharmaceutical industry in particular, affirming that Algeria “has solid experience and skills” in this area.
He also indicated that the Algerian side was very interested in knowing the Nigerian experience in economic sectors that could constitute cooperation projects.
For his part, the head of the Nigerian delegation, Dr. Emmanuel Mamman Mni, highlighted “the fraternal and historical relations” that bind Algeria and Nigeria, considering that “energy, renewable energies, and the environment can constitute major areas of cooperation between the two countries”.
The Nigerian Ambassador to Algeria, Aisha Mohammed Garba, warmly welcomed her country’s delegation to Algiers and expressed her excitement for the upcoming program of visits to several wilayas. She emphasized the desire for bilateral partnerships in various sectors and recalled the commitment of both countries to strengthen their economic relations.
To further this goal, executives from several ministries presented the vast opportunities available in Algeria’s various sectors. Mr. Mostefa Smail, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Energy and Mines, highlighted the investment opportunities and the impressive competence of Algeria’s energy sector. He emphasized the priority given to connecting different regions of the country to electricity and gas networks, and the implementation of “huge” projects to provide energy to deprived areas.
Representing the Ministry of Industry and Pharmaceutical Production, Mounia Bouderbal spoke of the significant progress made in the development of industrial sectors aimed at economic diversification and the substitution of local products for imports. She highlighted the growth experienced by the iron and steel, mechanical, electronic, and household appliance industries, as well as the food industry and subcontracting activities. She also emphasized the state’s efforts to support industrial units in various fields.
Dr. Fakhar, a representative of the same ministry, discussed the importance of promoting the pharmaceutical industry to ensure better health security for citizens. She highlighted the success of the new pharmaceutical policy, which has led to strong growth in the sector and an increase in local production since 2021. Dr. Fakhar also noted the entry of several drug production units into the production phase, which have helped meet national needs in this area.
In a conference titled “Climate Change and the Algerian Experience,” Mr. Boukadoum, a representative of the Ministry of Environment and Renewable Energies, spoke about Algeria’s actions to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. He cited the green dam built in the 1970s and the rehabilitation project of the old Oued Smar landfill in Algiers as two successful examples of environmental protection and the fight against desertification. Mr. Boukadoum also emphasized the importance of bilateral cooperation in these efforts.
Overall, the meeting was a productive exchange of ideas and opportunities for both countries to strengthen their economic ties and pursue mutual growth and development.
A Nigerian delegation of academics arrived in Algiers on Sunday and will continue their visit until May 21. The program includes visits to over 40 sites across 11 wilayas, including Algiers, Oran, Laghouat, Timimoun, Ouargla, Constantine, Skikda, Annaba, Sétif, Ghardaïa, and Bejaia. The delegation will visit various infrastructures, industrial and energy projects, sites related to agriculture and the pharmaceutical industry, as well as training institutes and research centers. On Sunday, they visited the Sidi Rzine oil refinery in Algiers to observe the various infrastructures of this energy site.