President Tebboune Speaks on Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline Progress, Algeria’s Strategic Shift Away from BRICS Membership

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | October 6th, 2024 — In a significant media meeting on Saturday evening, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune provided updates on the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP) project, a monumental endeavor set to transport Nigerian gas through Niger and Algeria to Europe. The project is viewed as a crucial component in meeting global energy demands, particularly for European nations facing volatile gas markets.

President Tebboune disclosed that only 700 to 800 kilometers of the 4,000-kilometer-long pipeline remain to be completed, underscoring the rapid pace of progress. He also reaffirmed the trilateral agreement between Algeria, Niger, and Nigeria, ensuring continued collaboration toward the project’s successful completion. “Work is ongoing, and only a small section remains,” Tebboune stated during his televised interview with Algerian media, signaling a pivotal step toward establishing Algeria as a critical energy transit hub.

Tebboune contrasted this tangible, collaborative effort with what he termed a “fictitious political project,” which proposes a similar pipeline route crossing through 14 countries, including the occupied Sahrawi territories. This alternative plan, he argued, is neither feasible nor economically sound, requiring tens of billions of dollars for implementation. “Any credible energy analyst knows how to distinguish between real, viable projects and illusory ones,” the President asserted, positioning Algeria’s Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline as a realistic and strategic initiative in the face of such speculative ventures.

This pipeline, when completed, will have far-reaching consequences for Europe’s energy security. As the continent continues to grapple with supply chain disruptions, the TSGP will serve as a lifeline, bolstering Algeria’s standing in the global energy market and its role as a key player in the international energy landscape.

Algeria’s Shift in BRICS Strategy: Focusing on the Bank, Not Bloc Membership

On a separate but equally critical issue, President Tebboune addressed Algeria’s decision not to pursue membership in the BRICS+ bloc, despite widespread speculation to the contrary. “We are not considering joining BRICS+,” he declared, dispelling rumors that the North African nation was actively seeking to become part of the expanded group. Instead, he emphasized that Algeria’s focus lies in its accession to the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), describing this step as being of comparable significance to membership in the World Bank.

Tebboune highlighted Algeria’s recent approval as a shareholder in the NDB with an investment of $1.5 billion, to be paid in stages. He stressed that this financial commitment marks a major milestone in Algeria’s growing influence on the global stage. “Our membership in the BRICS Bank strengthens Algeria’s position as an emerging country,” Tebboune noted, pointing to the strategic importance of Algeria’s engagement with global financial institutions.

This move aligns with Algeria’s broader economic vision, where participation in international development banks is prioritized over full political alliances with blocs such as BRICS. By investing in the NDB, Algeria is positioning itself to access new financial resources and foster economic development, particularly in sectors critical to its future growth, such as energy and infrastructure.

The President’s remarks followed the August announcement that Algeria had been officially authorized to join the NDB, an achievement that was met with national pride. However, as reported by the government-aligned newspaper El Moudjahid on September 28, Algeria has definitively ruled out membership in the BRICS bloc itself, choosing instead to focus on its role within the BRICS financial architecture. Sources close to the government confirmed that this strategic decision had been finalized, ending speculation over Algeria’s full integration into BRICS+.

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