The Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Mines and the Ministry of Energy and Renewable Energies have announced the development of a national roadmap to structure the lithium sector, as well as the launch of pilot projects aimed at producing the active materials used in the manufacture of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. These decisions reflect the country’s determination to position itself as a major regional player in clean technologies and energy storage.
During a coordination and monitoring meeting held last Thursday, the Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, presented a detailed report on lithium exploration projects, notably the studies conducted in the provinces of Tamanrasset and In Guezzam, in collaboration with the Chinese group Ganfeng Lithium. The preliminary results indicate promising signs of lithium and other rare minerals presence in the south of the country.
The minister also discussed the implementation of the memorandum of understanding recently signed between the National Office of Geological and Mining Research (ORGM), representing the Sonaram group, and Professor Karim Zaghib, an internationally recognised expert for his work on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technologies. This agreement aims to develop the full lithium value chain in Algeria, from exploration to industrial production, according to a ministry statement.
Within the framework of the orientations of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who encourages the valorisation of strategic national resources and the development of high value-added industries, the meeting also focused on concrete ways to structure the lithium sector in Algeria. In the presence of the Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies, Mourad Adjal, the two ministers stressed the need for close coordination between the relevant sectors to design an integrated roadmap linking upstream (exploration, extraction, and chemical transformation) to downstream (manufacturing, battery production, and energy storage).
For his part, Mr. Adjal emphasised that developing the lithium sector is a key pillar of the national energy transition and a lever to diversify the economy. He called for the involvement of national expertise, the Algerian scientific diaspora, and industrial stakeholders to build a strong scientific and technological base. According to him, this approach will enable Algeria to position itself as a regional centre for production and innovation in lithium battery technology.
The ministers reaffirmed that lithium represents a key resource for the new Algeria, as it stands at the intersection of renewable energies, electric transport, and clean technologies. Its exploitation aligns fully with the national policy to reduce the carbon footprint and diversify economic revenues.
According to the same source, priority measures have been highlighted, notably accelerating the implementation of the memorandum of understanding with Professor Karim Zaghib, with the establishment of enhanced technical and scientific monitoring, alongside the development of a joint work programme between the two ministries setting out the medium- and long-term development stages of the sector. They also stressed the strengthening of the link between scientific research and industry, aiming to build an integrated national energy storage ecosystem, as well as launching pilot projects for producing active materials used in the manufacture of LFP-type batteries.
The two ministers emphasised that developing this sector is a strategic choice to build a national economy based on knowledge and clean technologies, while ensuring sustainable resource exploitation and consolidating Algeria’s energy and technological sovereignty.