Madar (Algiers) - Algeria's Minister of State and Minister of Hydrocarbons, Mohamed Arkab, said the government currently had no plan to raise pump prices for petrol and diesel, while presenting his sector's budget to the finance and budget committee of the People's National Assembly (APN) on Saturday, October 17, 2026, according to TSA and Algérie360.
He was responding to MPs' questions about Article 218 of the 2027 finance bill, which states that "fuel prices may be revised, if needed, by the stakeholders". He explained that the provision did not necessarily mean a price rise and that the decision rested with both chambers of Parliament, the outlets reported.
Citing sources within the committee, Algérie360 said the article sparked a heated debate, with several MPs worried about its vague wording and the absence of specific revision rates or criteria.
Arkab noted that fuel prices in Algeria remained very low compared with international markets. Unleaded petrol costs 47 dinars a litre, diesel 31 dinars and LPG 12 dinars, according to TSA, which said the last increase took effect on January 1, 2026.
The minister said national energy consumption had reached about 59 million tonnes of oil equivalent and that hydrocarbon revenues totalled $37.5 billion from January to the end of September 2026. He also said the government intended to review the margins of fuel-station operators, particularly in remote areas, according to the same source.
