French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed a desire to make his final year in office a 'useful year' for Franco-Algerian relations, according to a report by Jeune Afrique on May 18, 2026. Macron, who cannot run for a third term, is focusing on deepening ties with Algeria, a key partner in North Africa.
The initiative comes amid ongoing efforts to address historical memory issues, including the legacy of French colonization in Algeria. Macron has previously acknowledged French responsibility in the death of Algerian nationalist Ali Boumendjel and has worked to return remains of Algerian resistance fighters.
Economic cooperation is also a priority, with trade between the two countries reaching €8 billion in 2025. Algeria is France's third-largest trading partner in Africa, and French companies like TotalEnergies and Sanofi have significant investments in the country.
However, challenges remain, including visa restrictions imposed by France in 2021, which Algeria has criticized. The two nations have also disagreed on issues like Western Sahara and migration. Macron's 'useful year' aims to resolve these tensions through dialogue.
