Inaugurated by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the 57th edition of the Algiers International Fair (FIA) is drawing record-breaking numbers with 781 exhibitors. As the guest of honor, Spain has deployed its leading industrial heavyweights, spearheaded by the event’s flagship technological project: the Medusa submarine cable by AFR-IX Telecom, a future cornerstone of Algerian digital sovereignty.
Spain’s robust presence at this edition—marked by 18 leading companies and the hosting of an Algerian-Spanish Business Forum—signals a major resurgence and strengthening of economic ties between Algiers and Madrid. At the center of attention, the digital economy sector is being driven forward by a critical new infrastructure project for the country.
Medusa (AFR-IX Telecom): The Algeria-Europe Digital Highway Set for Late 2026
The standout project of the Spanish pavilion is undisputedly led by Medusa, a subsidiary of telecom giant AFR-IX Telecom. The company is the prime contractor behind a massive fiber-optic submarine cable system designed to connect Algeria to Southern Europe’s primary digital hubs, said a representative from the company present at the Palestine Pavillon.
Featuring two strategic landing points in Algiers and Collo (Skikda), this interconnected network spans over 8,700 kilometers and will boast a phenomenal transmission capacity of up to 20 terabits per second.
Scheduled for commissioning by AFR-IX Telecom at the end of 2026, the network is set to radically overhaul the domestic technological landscape. It will secure and diversify Algeria’s internet access while providing the critical infrastructure required for the widespread rollout of 5G.
Beyond this technological leap, the Algerian-Spanish partnership is also on full display within the consumer goods industry. In the agribusiness sector, SPA Fruital—the official Coca-Cola bottler in Algeria—is showcasing the modernization of its production capacities aimed at meeting growing local demand.
Meanwhile, the retail and distribution sector is represented by SFCPA, owner of the well-known Jumbo brand, which is sharing its expertise in logistics and modern commercial solutions.
Innovation, Defense, and Water Security
The other facet of Spanish excellence at the FIA focuses on cutting-edge innovation. To this end, Spanish engineering leader Indra Sistemas is showcasing highly strategic expertise in developing complex digital systems, cybersecurity solutions, defense technologies, and air traffic management systems.
In parallel with these digital challenges, the management of natural resources remains a focal point of bilateral discussions, driven by the presence of FCC Aqualia. As a global benchmark in water management, the company is presenting its latest seawater desalination and water resource treatment solutions—a crucial issue supporting Algeria’s national water security strategy.
By deepening their partnerships, from AFR-IX Telecom’s fiber-optic infrastructure to the management of strategic resources, Algiers and Madrid are laying the groundwork for sustainable industrial and technological co-development.