Algeria's Digital Sovereignty Challenges Amid Data Localization Efforts

Algeria is prioritizing data localization as part of its digital transformation, yet the reliance on foreign partners, particularly China and Huawei, complicates true digital sovereignty. The new Mohammadia Datacenter, built with Huawei's collaboration, exemplifies this issue; while the infrastructure is local, the operational control and technology are not.

Experts warn of a technological lock-in effect, where dependence on foreign systems limits Algeria's ability to transition to other providers without significant costs. As Algeria develops its datacenters, the emergence of AI technologies may further exacerbate this situation unless the country diversifies its technology partnerships. Developing local capabilities for data processing and analysis is essential to mitigate these risks and ensure genuine sovereignty.