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Algeria's capital and North Africa's energy powerhouse — where Sonatrach's hydrocarbons, infrastructure renewal, and the Franco-Algerian business corridor converge.
Algeria is the largest country in Africa by area and one of the world's most significant energy producers. Sonatrach — Algeria's state-owned oil and gas company — is the largest company in Africa by revenue and a top-ten global energy company. The country holds the third-largest proven natural gas reserves in Africa and has become a critical supplier of gas to Europe following the reconfiguration of energy markets since 2022. GSDA's Algiers office serves the international energy companies, contractors, and investors navigating Algeria's complex but rewarding business environment.
Algeria's investment landscape has undergone significant reform. The 2022 Investment Law replaced the decades-old framework with a modernised regime offering greater clarity on foreign investor rights, incentive structures, and the administrative procedures for establishing businesses in Algeria. The 51/49 foreign ownership rule — long a constraint on international investment — has been relaxed for non-strategic sectors, opening new opportunities in manufacturing, services, technology, and agriculture. GSDA advises international companies on navigating these reforms, structuring compliant investments, and managing the regulatory requirements of operating in Algeria's evolving market.
The Franco-Algerian business corridor is one of the most significant bilateral economic relationships in the Mediterranean. France remains one of Algeria's largest trading partners and a major source of foreign investment, while the large Algerian diaspora in France creates deep business, cultural, and professional connections. GSDA's Paris-Algiers axis is uniquely positioned to serve this corridor — our French-qualified avocats in Paris work seamlessly with our Algerian lawyers in Algiers, providing integrated bilingual counsel for the cross-border transactions, joint ventures, and disputes that characterise Franco-Algerian business.
Office Details
Industries we serve
Sonatrach is Africa's largest company and Algeria's economic anchor. We advise international energy companies on production sharing contracts, service agreements, joint venture structuring with Sonatrach, and the regulatory framework administered by ALNAFT and the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
Algeria's infrastructure investment programme — including motorways, railways, ports, housing, and water infrastructure — represents one of the largest construction markets in North Africa. We advise international contractors on procurement, EPC contracts, and dispute resolution for Algerian public works projects.
The 2022 Investment Law has modernised Algeria's framework for international investors. We advise on investment structuring, AAPI registration, sectoral authorisations, and the regulatory requirements for establishing and operating businesses in Algeria across non-hydrocarbon sectors.
Algeria's National Renewable Energy Programme targets 15 GW of installed renewable capacity. We advise on solar and wind project development, power purchase agreements, construction contracts, and the regulatory framework governing independent power production in Algeria.
Algeria's banking sector is dominated by state-owned institutions, but private and foreign banks play an increasing role. We advise on banking regulation, lending transactions, trade finance, and the specific requirements of the Bank of Algeria regarding foreign exchange and capital movements.
We advise international energy companies on structuring their participation in Algerian hydrocarbon projects — including production sharing contracts with Sonatrach, service agreement negotiations, ALNAFT licensing compliance, and the specific regulatory requirements of operating in Algeria's upstream and downstream sectors.
The 2022 Investment Law reforms have opened new opportunities for international investors. We advise on investment structuring, AAPI registration, the remaining sectoral restrictions (including the 51/49 rule for strategic sectors), and the incentive frameworks available for priority investments.
We advise international contractors on participation in Algeria's public infrastructure programme — handling tender preparation, EPC contract negotiation, public procurement law compliance, and the resolution of disputes arising from Algerian government construction projects.
Our Paris-Algiers axis provides integrated legal support for the Franco-Algerian business corridor. We advise French companies entering Algeria and Algerian businesses expanding to France — handling corporate structuring, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution across both jurisdictions.
We represent clients before Algerian commercial courts, in ICC international arbitration for Algeria-related disputes, and in enforcement proceedings. Algeria's adherence to the New York Convention supports the enforcement of international arbitral awards, a critical consideration for international investors.
Regulatory environment
Algeria's legal system is based on the French civil-law tradition, reflecting the country's colonial history. The Code Civil, Code de Commerce, and Code de Procédure Civile et Administrative provide the foundational framework for commercial activity. The commercial courts (tribunaux de commerce) established in major cities handle business disputes, while the Conseil d'État oversees administrative law matters involving government entities and public contracts.
The hydrocarbon sector is governed by the Hydrocarbon Law (Loi 19-13, as amended), which regulates upstream exploration and production, midstream pipeline operations, and downstream processing. Sonatrach participates as a mandatory partner in all hydrocarbon joint ventures. The National Agency for the Valorisation of Hydrocarbon Resources (ALNAFT) manages licensing rounds and production sharing contracts. The 2022 Investment Law provides the general framework for foreign investment outside the hydrocarbon sector, with the Agence Algérienne de Promotion de l'Investissement (AAPI) serving as the primary interface for international investors. GSDA's Algiers team combines deep Algerian regulatory expertise with our firm's international network, advising on both the hydrocarbon-specific legal framework and the broader commercial law environment.
The GSDA advantage
On-the-ground presence in Algeria — essential for navigating the country's regulatory environment and maintaining relationships with government entities and Sonatrach.
Deep expertise in Algerian hydrocarbon law and the Sonatrach joint venture framework that governs all international energy company participation.
Paris-Algiers corridor capability providing integrated bilingual counsel for the most significant bilateral business relationship in the Mediterranean.
Understanding of the 2022 Investment Law reforms and the evolving regulatory environment for non-hydrocarbon foreign investment.
Francophone civil-law expertise from our Paris headquarters directly applicable to Algeria's French-influenced legal system.
Algeria's regulatory environment requires local expertise that most international firms simply don't have. GSDA's Algiers team knew the Sonatrach framework and ALNAFT requirements inside out — and their Paris office handled the ICC arbitration when our joint venture dispute escalated.
Head of Legal, International Oil & Gas Exploration Company
Our Algiers office advises on hydrocarbon joint ventures and production sharing contracts, foreign investment structuring, construction and public procurement, banking and finance, renewable energy, and dispute resolution — serving international companies operating in Algeria's energy sector and broader economy.
Yes. Advising international energy companies on Sonatrach joint venture structuring is a core capability. We handle production sharing contract negotiations, ALNAFT licensing compliance, operational agreements, and the specific requirements of partnering with Algeria's state-owned energy giant.
The 2022 Investment Law has modernised Algeria's framework for international investors. We advise on the full investment process — AAPI registration, sectoral authorisations, corporate structuring, partner arrangements, and the incentive frameworks available for priority investments in manufacturing, technology, and agriculture.
We represent clients before Algerian commercial courts and in ICC international arbitration for Algeria-related disputes. Algeria's adherence to the New York Convention supports enforcement of international arbitral awards, and our experience with the Algerian judicial system enables effective advocacy in local proceedings.
Algeria's legal system is built on the French civil-law tradition — the same foundation as our Paris practice. Our French-qualified avocats bring natural fluency in the legal reasoning and procedural traditions that Algerian courts follow. France is also one of Algeria's largest trading partners, and our dual Paris-Algiers presence supports the significant bilateral business corridor.
Algeria's National Renewable Energy Programme creates substantial opportunities for international developers and investors. We advise on solar and wind project structuring, power purchase agreements, construction contracts, environmental compliance, and the regulatory approvals required from the Commission de Régulation de l'Electricité et du Gaz (CREG).
