Optical fibre and ICT: ANP to launch production units

These new flagship companies are not intended to serve as mere production units, but rather as the "armed wing" of a digital and technological sovereignty strategy that began to be implemented in 2024.

The first of these decrees, No. 26-104, establishes the "Cable Manufacturing Establishment (EPIC-EC)". Article 1 specifies that this is a

"public industrial and commercial establishment belonging to the economic sector of the People's National Army". This establishment, headquartered in Réghaïa, in the wilaya of Algiers, is responsible, according to Article 5 of the decree, "for the design, production and development of optical fibre, optical fibre cables and related components and accessories". The text also emphasises standardisation and quality control, as well as participation in "the national research and development effort". Article 8 opens up the possibility of taking on "public service obligations on behalf of the State", thus enshrining its strategic role beyond a purely commercial logic.

The second decree, No. 26-105, creates the "Établissement de production des moyens des technologies de l'information et de la communication (EPIC-EPMTIC)" (Establishment for the Production of Information and Communication Technology Resources), based in El-Harrach. Here again, Article 1 uses the same legal structure, placing the entity within the ANP economic sector. Article 5 specifies that the establishment is responsible for "the design, production and development of information and communication technology resources". It is therefore an industrial tool covering the equipment, sub-assemblies and devices necessary for the deployment and security of networks.

It should be noted that these two initiatives did not arise out of nowhere, but are in fact the culmination of a process that began at the Council of Ministers meeting on 22 May 2024, when the President of the Republic ordered "the launch of local fibre optic production, in parallel with the project to roll it out nationwide and secure its financing". He also emphasised the need to "diversify internet providers" and to "take all necessary precautions in terms of cybersecurity", in particular maintaining and monitoring of submarine cables and central networks.

Since then, the "all-fibre" programme has accelerated to 03 million households connected to FTTH, 53,000 in 2020. Following this achievement, the Head of State assured that Algeria "now produces this fibre optic cable and covers all its needs, whereas in the past it imported it". This shift from importer to producer was presented as an indicator of technological advancement and consolidation of economic independence.

A matter of national security

It should be noted that the texts provide for governance closely linked to the structures of the Ministry of National Defence, with a board of directors chaired by the minister or his representative, and management provided by a general or senior officer. The decision to entrust these projects to the Ministry of National Defence is, in fact, far from insignificant. It responds to a national security rationale that treats digital infrastructure as a strategic asset, on a par with defence equipment. This is further reinforced by yesterday's publication of the 2025-2029 National Information Systems Security Strategy, which aims to "preserve national digital sovereignty" and protect the state's infrastructure.

In this capacity, EPIC-EPMTIC is called upon to contribute, beyond fibre optics, to the manufacture of ICT equipment, to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and to support research and development efforts. These missions are certainly economic in nature, reducing the import bill, creating skilled jobs and increasing the integration rate; however, they are also, and above all, security-related, in a context marked by the proliferation of cyber threats. With these texts, Algeria is formalising the transition to an operational industrial system in which digital sovereignty is now embodied in dedicated structures with resources, specific missions and a strong institutional foundation.

It should also be noted that in the same issue of the Official Journal, a third decree establishes the Textile Industry Development Agency (EPIC-EDIT), also under the supervision of the Ministry of National Defence. Although it does not fall within the digital sphere, it reflects the same approach, i.e. structuring strategic industrial sectors around public industrial and commercial establishments to consolidate the country's productive autonomy.