Beyond LNG: Berlin’s red-carpet diplomacy signals a bigger bet on Algeria

Germany has intensified its strategic partnership with Algeria through high-level diplomatic engagement and broad commercial cooperation. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune received military honours during his visit to Berlin, where he met with Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The visit underscored the deepening relationship between the two nations, with Tebboune noting the significant evolution of bilateral ties.

The timing of the visit coincided with Algeria's first liquefied natural gas shipment to Germany, delivered via the Tessala tanker to a floating terminal off Wilhelmshaven. This shipment originated from Sonatrach, Algeria's state energy company, and represents a concrete outcome of the countries' energy cooperation.

During the bilateral economic forum in Berlin, German and Algerian companies concluded thirty agreements spanning multiple sectors. These covered hydrocarbons, renewable energy, energy transition initiatives, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and advanced technology. Chancellor Merz emphasized additional agreements on legal, investment, and transparency matters, signalling a comprehensive approach to strengthening economic ties.

The cooperation extends beyond traditional energy supplies. Both countries agreed to collaborate on green hydrogen, helium, and automotive manufacturing. Merz acknowledged Algeria's critical role in Europe's energy security, particularly given the continent's need to replace Russian pipeline gas following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Algeria now supplies approximately 18.5 percent of the European Union's gaseous natural gas imports, with projections suggesting this share could rise to 20 percent of EU pipeline imports in early 2026.