Algeria to Export 250 Electric Car Chargers to Italy

ALGERIA · ENERGY

Algeria’s Sonelgaz will soon ship 250 electric car chargers to Italy, the head of its equipment arm said on Tuesday. The order extends a small export line that began with 200 chargers sent to Portugal.

The Algerian Company for Electrical and Gas Industries (SAIEG), a subsidiary of Sonelgaz, will export 250 electric car chargers to Italy. Chief executive Youcef Defdaf said on Tuesday, 13 October, that it will ship at the end of October or early November.

Sonelgaz is Algeria’s state-owned electricity and gas group, which runs the national power grid. The deal matters because Algeria, whose exports are dominated by oil and gas, is trying to sell factory goods abroad.

What SAIEG Announced at Kahraba Expo

Defdaf spoke to the state news agency Algérie Presse Service (APS) on the sidelines of Kahraba Expo 2026 in Algiers. The event is the second edition of an international fair for electricity and renewable energy, held at the Pins Maritimes exhibition grounds.

He said the 250 charging posts form part of signed contracts covering 450 units in total. Of those, 200 were recently exported to Portugal, leaving the Italian batch as the next delivery.

Ech-Chorouk, a privately owned Arabic-language daily, carried the same figures, citing remarks Defdaf gave to state broadcaster Algerian Television. Both reports give the same timetable of late October or early November for the Italian shipment.

Turbine Blades and a United States Contract

Defdaf also said SAIEG has other export contracts to fulfil, including gas turbine blades. A contract with a US company covers 50 sets of electrical equipment over five years, at 10 sets a year, he added.

Neither APS nor Ech-Chorouk named the US buyer or described the equipment in detail. Neither outlet gave a value for the Italian, Portuguese or American contracts.

According to APS, SAIEG is also courting other foreign markets for car chargers and electrical gear, notably South Africa. That market was named only in the APS report, with no deal announced.

Sonelgaz Pitches Itself as a Gateway to Africa

Energy Minister Mourad Adjal used the fair’s opening to cast Sonelgaz as a locomotive for Algerian firms entering regional energy markets. His speech, reported by APS, was read on his behalf by Sonelgaz’s acting director general, Nabil Kafi.

Adjal stressed Africa in particular and cited Sonelgaz power plant projects in Niger and Chad as proof of its engineering capacity. He also named the energy transition, including more renewable generation, as one of the main challenges ahead.

Italy is already one of Algeria’s closest energy partners, buying Algerian natural gas through the Transmed pipeline to Sicily. The charger order is tiny by comparison, but it shows Sonelgaz trying to sell manufactured goods into the same market.

What It Means for US Readers

For American investors there is no direct listed exposure, because Sonelgaz and SAIEG are state-owned and do not trade on any exchange. The more relevant signal is the unnamed US contract, under which an Algerian state firm will supply equipment to an American customer.

Volumes are small, at 10 sets a year, so the deal will not move US supply chains on its own. It matters more as a sign that Algeria wants non-oil trade with Western buyers, beyond its gas sales to Europe.

US charger makers active in Europe gain a new North African competitor, though 450 units is a modest order book. Any equipment entering the United States also falls under US customs and tariff rules, which neither report addressed.

What Is Not Known

The Italian buyer has not been named, and no contract value has been published for any of the charger deals. The technical specifications, such as charging power and whether the posts are fast chargers, were not disclosed either.

The identity of the US company and the type of electrical equipment it is buying remain unknown. It is also unclear whether the South African prospects reported by APS have produced any signed agreement.

The figures rest on Defdaf’s remarks as reported by APS and Ech-Chorouk, not on a published contract. Delivery dates for industrial exports can slip, and the late October window has not yet been tested.

What Comes Next

The next milestone is the shipment itself, which Defdaf placed at the end of October or early November. It does not mean Algeria has become a major charger exporter, as the confirmed order book totals 450 units.

The fair continues in Algiers after Tuesday’s opening, giving Sonelgaz units a stage to court further foreign buyers. Watch also for any Sonelgaz statement naming the Italian customer or the US equipment buyer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SAIEG?

SAIEG, the Algerian Company for Electrical and Gas Industries, is a manufacturing subsidiary of the state utility Sonelgaz. Its export lines include charging posts for electric cars, gas turbine blades and electrical equipment.

How many chargers is Algeria sending to Italy?

SAIEG plans to export 250 charging posts to Italy at the end of October or in early November. They are part of contracts covering 450 units, of which 200 already went to Portugal.

Who is the Italian buyer?

Neither APS nor Ech-Chorouk named the Italian customer. No contract value or technical specification has been published.

Is there a link to the United States?

Yes, Defdaf said a contract with a US company covers 50 sets of electrical equipment over five years. The company and the exact equipment were not named.

Why does this matter for Algeria?

Algeria earns most of its export income from oil and gas and wants to sell more manufactured goods. Small orders like this test whether its state factories can compete in European markets.

Sources: Algérie Presse Service (APS), interview with SAIEG chief executive Youcef Defdaf; APS, Energy Minister Mourad Adjal at Kahraba Expo 2026; Ech-Chorouk, citing Algerian Television (all accessed 13 October 2026).

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