Algeria has confirmed the launch of the 2,000km+ Algiers to Tamanrasset railway project with scheduled operation for 2028. The railway project is a major line linking the north with the deep south region of the nation. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune led a meeting on hydrocarbons and infrastructure where it was decided that construction will begin by September 2026 at the latest. The project will be built in three main sections: Ouargla to Ain Salah, Ain Salah to Tamanrasset, and a return link.
Once complete, it is expected to improve transport of goods and people, support economic activity, and strengthen integration across southern regions, including key energy areas. It is already being hailed as the nation’s “project of the century” with official service set by the end of 2028.
The expansive rail network is designed to link Algiers to the remote city of Tamanrasset in the deep south. It will also pass through Laghouat, Ghardaïa, El Menia, and Salah. Built in multiple strategic sections, this cross-country corridor is slated to fundamentally transform trade, mining, and regional integration.
Other major rail projects in North Africa such as the Kenitra-Marrakech railway project is also making headway ahead of the World Cup 2030 preparations. The project is the nation’s first high-speed rail network and involves linking several Moroccan cities and the purchase of 168 trains.
Scope of Implementation on the Algiers to Tamanrasset Railway Project
The implementation of the Algiers to Tamanrasset railway project is set as major groundwork and initial phases plan to roll out. The government is also making a push to clear the way for full scale development. The president had also earlier confirmed during a Council of Ministers meeting that the entire line will be operational as set. Sub-sections like the Laghouat–Ghardaïa–El Meniaa line are actively moving through procurement and early construction phases.
The first phase of the line is a massive financial undertaking, backed by over $1.75 billion in funding. This includes a significant loan from the African Development Bank. The railway will connect remote communities to major urban centers, reduce logistics and transport costs, and also potentially serve as a key transit route extending into the Sahel region. Regarding the preparations for the Algiers-Tamanrasset railway line, the Minister discussed the ongoing work supervised by the National Agency for Railway Investment Studies and Implementation (ANESRIF).
Project Factsheet:
- Project Name: Algiers–Tamanrasset Railway Project
- Location: Algeria (Algiers to Tamanrasset corridor)
- Estimated Investment Value: $1.75+ billion (Phase 1 funding)
- Project Type: Long-distance national railway infrastructure project
Timeline
- Project announcement confirmed: 2026
- Construction start deadline: By September 2026
- Phased construction: Ongoing across multiple segments
- Scheduled operational launch: End of 2028
Site & Scale
- Total rail length: 2,000+ km
- Route spans northern Algiers to southern Tamanrasset
- Key stops: Laghouat, Ghardaïa, El Menia, Ain Salah, and also Ouargla
- Designed for cross-country passenger and freight movement
Key Contractors/Stakeholders
- Project lead: Government of Algeria
- Presidential oversight: Abdelmadjid Tebboune
- Implementation agency: ANESRIF (National Railway Investment Agency)
- Financing partner: African Development Bank (AfDB)
Infrastructure Scope
- Three major construction sections (north–south segmentation)
- Freight and also passenger rail integration
- Regional connectivity improvements across remote desert regions
- Also return-link rail infrastructure for bidirectional operations
- Development of logistics corridors supporting energy and mining zones
Strategic Objectives
- Strengthen national integration between north and south Algeria
- Reduce transport and also logistics costs across long-distance trade routes
- Also support mining, hydrocarbons, and regional economic zones
- Improve access for remote communities and also desert regions
Current Status
- Early-stage planning and procurement underway
- Funding secured for initial phase
- Also government coordination through ANESRIF ongoing
- Construction scheduled to begin by September 2026 deadline
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