Italy has emerged as Europe's largest importer of Algerian gas, following discussions between Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. President Tebboune stated that Italy remains "the first European customer for Algerian gas, ahead of Spain and France." His remarks came after a phone call with Prime Minister Meloni, during which they discussed strengthening bilateral relations across political, economic, energy, and industrial sectors. Both leaders affirmed their commitment to further bolster the strategic partnership between their two countries. President Tebboune also noted that France imports significant volumes of Algerian liquefied natural gas and oil annually.
Key Gas Infrastructure and Trade
The Transmed pipeline, a critical piece of energy infrastructure, connects Algerian gas fields directly to southern Italy by traversing Tunisia. This pipeline stands as one of the most important gas transport routes supplying the European continent. Beyond pipeline gas, France represents a significant importer of Algerian hydrocarbons. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune stated that "France imports approximately 7 billion cubic meters of Algerian liquefied natural gas annually, in addition to between 14 and 18 million barrels of oil, despite the tensions in bilateral relations between the two countries." These figures show the scale of energy trade, with France importing an estimated 7 billion cubic meters of Algerian liquefied natural gas per year. Additionally, France receives between 14 and 18 million barrels of Algerian oil annually.
Future Energy Partnership Projects
The energy partnership between Algeria and Italy is anticipated to expand further, with cooperation between Sonatrach and Eni forming the cornerstone of these energy relations. During the Algerian-Italian Governmental Summit in July 2025, Sonatrach and Eni signed a protocol aimed at increasing Algerian gas production and expanding supply contracts to the Italian market. Planned projects, including the development of the Zemoul El Kebir and Regan 2 fields, are projected to increase Algerian gas production by approximately 5.5 billion cubic meters annually by 2028. The total investment for these projects exceeds 8 billion dollars.
Algeria and Italy are also participating in the SoutH2 project, alongside Tunisia, Austria, and Germany. The SoutH2 project aims to transport renewable hydrogen from North Africa to European markets using a 3300 km infrastructure. This infrastructure will rely 70 percent on existing pipelines. The SoutH2 project is expected to become operational by 2030, further diversifying energy collaboration between the nations.
Broader Bilateral Cooperation
Discussions between Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also addressed progress on initiatives under the Mattei Plan for Africa. These initiatives include the Enrico Mattei Center of Excellence located in Sidi Bel Abbès. The center is specifically dedicated to training, research, and innovation within the agricultural sector. Beyond energy and development projects, cooperation on combating irregular migration and human trafficking networks was also a key topic during their talks. The two leaders emphasized the importance of a coordinated approach to address these shared challenges. This broader scope of collaboration notes the multifaceted nature of the strategic partnership between Algeria and Italy, extending beyond energy to encompass human development and regional security concerns.