DR ‹ › For Algerian fans eager to travel to Morocco to support the Fennecs during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the journey is proving to be quite daunting. The primary hurdle is the strained political relations between Algiers and Rabat, notably highlighted by Algeria's decision to close its airspace to Moroccan aircraft since September 2021. Consequently, there are no direct flights between the two nations, compelling travelers to make at least one stopover, which significantly increases travel expenses. Take, for example, a one-way ticket from Algiers to Rabat via Tunis with Tunisair, which costs 563 euros on December 26. Fans planning to attend all matches featuring Riyad Mahrez's team from December 23 to January 1 have to spend between 650 to 1,460 euros. This is a steep price, particularly given that the official currency allowance for Algerian travelers is limited to 750 euros. As the Afcon kickoff in Morocco draws near, the Central Bank of Algeria has further tightened the rules for accessing this allowance. In a note dated Tuesday, December 16, sent to banking institutions, the bank introduced new requirements, such as «payment exclusively by non-cash means, the exclusion of cash payments, and the obligation to hold a bank account to benefit from the allowance». These measures largely favor the parallel currency market. On Wednesday, December 17, the euro was exchanged at 279 dinars for purchase and 282 for sale. Beyond financial hurdles, Algerian fans also face scam attempts related to acquiring the electronic visa, according to reports from an African media outlet. Since September, Moroccan authorities have introduced an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), issued through the Yalla app via a fully digital process. Previously, Algerian nationals could enter Morocco without a visa. This new regulation aims to control entry flows into the country and is not specifically aimed at Algeria, as it also applies to other countries like Tunisia, Burkina Faso, and Senegal. Exploiting the confusion, some travel agencies in Algeria have offered to «facilitate» the acquisition of this e-visa for exorbitant fees. This prompted the African Football Confederation (CAF) and the Organizing Committee to remind everyone that obtaining this electronic authorization is entirely free.
