Algeria Boosts Trade Promotion Efforts with SIAL Canada 2026 and Trans-Saharan Route
Takeaway
Algeria's participation in SIAL Canada 2026 offers a key opportunity for agri-food companies to penetrate the North American market, potentially increasing non-hydrocarbon export revenues. Investors should monitor the impact of the Trans-Saharan Highway on regional trade flows, particularly for companies involved in logistics, transportation, and manufacturing in Algeria and neighboring countries. The development of the national digital map could streamline export processes, benefiting Algerian businesses seeking to expand internationally.
Algeria is actively promoting its trade and exports through participation in international events and infrastructure development. The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion announced Algeria's participation in the SIAL Canada 2026 international food industry trade show, scheduled from April 29 to May 1, 2026, in Montreal. Minister Kamel Rezig also chaired a technical coordination meeting focused on leveraging the Trans-Saharan Highway to bolster trade with African countries.
The SIAL Canada 2026 exhibition is considered a prominent global event in the food industry, anticipating over 800 exhibitors from approximately 50 countries and more than 23,000 professional visitors. The Algerian Investment Promotion Agency (AAPI) has invited Algerian economic operators active in the agri-food industry to participate, highlighting the opportunity to explore North American market trends and export opportunities. The event will be held at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. SIAL Canada is considered a unique event alternating annually between Toronto and Montreal, reflecting the vast and strategic importance of the Canadian market.
The Trans-Saharan Highway is viewed as a strategic axis for strengthening trade with African nations. The highway, proposed in 1962, links Algeria, Chad, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Tunisia. The 4,500 km North-South backbone connects the ports of Algiers and Lagos through Algeria, Niger, and Nigeria. An additional 4,600 km of linked highways connect to Tunisia, Mali, Niamey, and Chad. In Niger, 1,890 kilometers of the total 1,950 kilometers have been completed as of February 2023.
Algeria's non-hydrocarbon exports reached $4.3 billion during the first nine months of 2025, marking a 26% increase compared to the same period in 2024. July 2025 saw peak exports of $490 million, a 74% jump from the previous year. The Africa cross border road freight transport market was valued at USD 10.23 billion in 2025 and is estimated to reach USD 11.02 billion in 2026. The distributive trade segment dominated the Africa cross border road freight transport market by accounting for 35.7% of total freight volume in 2024.
Looking ahead, Algeria is focused on diversifying its exports beyond hydrocarbons and improving its global competitiveness. A national digital map is being created to catalog all products and services manufactured in Algeria, aiming to better direct national supply toward international markets. The completion of the remaining sections of the Trans-Saharan Highway and related facilities in Niger is expected within 12 months as of February 2023.