Despite the rise in gas prices following the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Sonatrach previously reassured its clients it would apply relatively fair prices. The decision is changing after Spain’s choice to support Morrocco, Algeria’s rival in the sensitive Western Sahara conflict.
Sonatrach, Algeria’s state oil and gas producer, announced, on April 1, it might raise the price of the gas it supplies to Spain. The announcement comes amid a major diplomatic dispute between Algeria and Spain. “We might readjust gas prices to our Spanish client,” said Toufik Hakkar, head of Sonatrach, according to comments reported by APS.
Indeed, last month, Spain announced that it would support Morocco's plan to grant Western Sahara the status of an autonomous region. For Algeria, which supports the Sahrawi nationalists, by making such an announcement, Spain is violating its neutrality in the conflict.
The Algerian government condemned the announcement and recalled its ambassador to Spain. The taunted price change appears like Algeria’s disapproval of Spain’s position in the conflict in Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony being claimed by Morocco since 1975.
African startup M&A hits record 67 deals in 2025 Consolidation driven by funding pressures and ex...
Except for Tunisia entering the Top 10 at Libya’s expense, and Morocco moving up to sixth ahead of A...
Moniepoint, Opay, Kuda, and others gain national status with tighter oversight A naira 5 billion ...
ECOWAS has provided CFA400 million to support refugee assistance in Togo. The funding targets the...
Touted as a tool of emancipation, blockchain was meant to give the Central African Republic a new fo...
Akrake Petroleum completed the AK-2H production well at the offshore Sèmè field. Technical results confirmed high porosity and oil saturation,...
Equatorial Guinea increased GEPetrol’s stake from 5% to 32.55% in the Aseng Gas project. Chevron committed to finance the increase while retaining its...
African banana exports rose 5% to 753,000 tonnes in 2025, according to FAO estimates. Ghana recorded the fastest growth, increasing exports 27.72% to...
Zimbabwe generated $3.4 billion in mineral export revenues in 2025, excluding gold and silver, according to the MMCZ. Total mining revenues...
Fela Kuti received a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy He is the first African artist recognized by the Grammys...
Manovo-Gounda-St Floris National Park is one of the largest protected areas in Central Africa. Located in the northeastern part of the Central African...