In a bid to rival Morocco's strategic Atlantic initiative, Algeria has unveiled plans to position the Djen Djen port as a key trade hub for Sahel and Sahara nations, intensifying regional competition. DR ‹ › In a move seen as competing with Morocco's initiative to provide Sahel countries with access to the Atlantic Ocean, launched by King Mohammed VI in 2023, Algeria has put forward the port of Djen Djen, located in Jijel province in the east of the country, as a «trade gateway» for Sahel and Sahara nations. Speaking at the closing of the fourth session of the Algerian-Chadian Joint Governmental Committee on Tuesday in Algiers, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf highlighted what he described as the «strategic importance» of the Djen Djen port as a commercial hub for countries in the Sahel and Sahara region, with Chad in particular. Attaf added that Algeria aims to move forward with the trans-Saharan road project, alongside a trans-Saharan fiber optic link, as part of its broader connectivity strategy. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had already announced, in early September, his country's readiness to open its seaports to landlocked African states, allowing goods to be unloaded and then transported via Algeria's railway network. In 2024, he also unilaterally announced plans to establish free trade zones with Mauritania, Mali, and Niger. Morocco's head start By promoting the Djen Djen port as an outlet for Sahel countries, Algeria appears to be seeking to strengthen its ties with the region amid ongoing diplomatic tensions, which have led to the withdrawal of ambassadors. Mali, for instance, previously pulled out of the Algiers-brokered reconciliation agreement, citing what it described as «hostile actions» and the exploitation of the process by Algerian authorities. In contrast, Morocco adopted a neutral stance toward the recent military coups in the Sahel, unlike Algeria, which condemned them and called for the reinstatement of ousted presidents, particularly in Niger and Mali. This approach has helped Rabat consolidate its relations with these countries, with Mali notably announcing the withdrawal of its recognition of the so-called «Polisario Republic». Morocco's Atlantic initiative has garnered significant interest from Sahel countries. In December 2023, Rabat hosted a ministerial meeting bringing together foreign ministers from the region to coordinate the project. In July 2024, meeting in Dakhla, Sahel countries expressed their support for the initiative and reaffirmed their commitment to its implementation. Further consultations took place in September 2025 in New York, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, where Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita met with his counterparts from Mali, Chad, Niger, and Burkina Faso to advance the initiative. Currently, Sahel countries rely on ports in Benin, Togo, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Ghana. The future Dakhla Atlantic port, estimated at $1.4 billion and expected to become operational in 2028, is set to play a central role in Morocco's strategy to provide the region with direct access to the Atlantic.
