Algeria has fired the strongest signal yet of its digital ambitions, unveiling a national 5G rollout whose first three licences, awarded to Mobilis, Djezzy and Ooredoo, are worth $492 million (DZD 63.9 billion).
The launch is one of North Africa’s largest telecom investments this decade. It is expected to inject billions into the economy, with government projections estimating the digital ecosystem will contribute $9 billion to GDP, rising to $13 billion by 2030.
Unveiling the initiative in Algiers, Minister of Post and Telecommunications Sid Ali Zerrouki described 5G as “a decisive step toward modernizing Algeria’s telecom sector and strengthening our digital economy.” The six-year national plan will begin with eight pilot wilayas before expanding to full nationwide coverage by 2031.
The licences give operators the green light to install their first 5G stations and prepare both consumer and enterprise offerings. Regulators have also set strict technical and coverage obligations to ensure balanced deployment.
Zerrouki credited the state’s leadership for driving the programme forward and enabling high-speed, low-latency connectivity that powers new industries such as artificial intelligence, robotics, cloud computing, fintech and advanced analytics.
“Thanks to the strategic vision and clear guidance of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, we ensured efficiency and optimal quality at all levels of this project,” he said.
The investment places Algeria among North Africa’s accelerating 5G adopters. Tunisia launched 5G in February 2025 through Orange Tunisie, Ooredoo Tunisie and Tunisie Télécom, while Egypt has awarded licences to Telecom Egypt, Vodafone Egypt, e& Egypt and Orange Egypt, with Orange securing an additional $85 million loan to support its rollout.
Similarly, Algeria’s 5G push will unlock advanced applications across AI, IoT, cloud services, digital health, Industry 4.0 and smart mobility. Mobilis’ February 2025 trials reached 1.2 Gbps, demonstrating the network’s potential speeds.
However, significant challenges remain in the North African country despite the launch. An Ericsson study warns that the cost of national 5G deployment could reach $3–8 billion, excluding an additional 20–35% needed to extend coverage beyond profitable urban areas. Stakeholders fear this could widen the rural digital gap.
Affordability is another concern that has been flagged. While 5G smartphones now start at around $150, the GSMA notes this price point is still out of reach for many African consumers without financing schemes.
Still, Algeria’s 5G launch is a turning point and a high-stakes bet on connectivity as a growth engine for Africa’s fourth-largest economy.
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