Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed Arrives in Algeria for African Trade Fair
Our special correspondent in Algeria, Meriem KHDIMALLAH, reports on the visit of Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed to Algeria, where he was received by his counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune at Houari-Boumédiène International Airport.
The two heads of state reviewed a military detachment and saluted the flags of their respective nations, accompanied by the national anthems of Tunisia and Algeria. This solemn ceremony marked the beginning of a visit focused on fraternity and cooperation, coinciding with the opening of the African Intra-Trade Fair (Iatf 2025).
A Visit Steeped in Protocol and Significance
This trip, which follows an invitation from the Algerian President, highlights the depth of Tunisian-Algerian relations. Earlier in the day, Kaïs Saïed had departed from Tunis, where he was seen off by the Head of Government, Sarra Zâafrani Zanzeri, the Governor of Tunis, Imed Boukhris, the Secretary General of the Tunis Municipality, Lotfi Dachraoui, and several members of the presidential cabinet. This moment of departure, marked by protocol, also underscored the importance Tunisia attaches to this high-level meeting.
Strategic African Dynamics
Beyond the symbolic aspect, the visit is part of a strategic African dynamic. The Iatf, organized from September 4 to 10 in Algiers by the African Import-Export Bank and the African Union, brings together over 200 exhibitors from 75 countries and is expected to attract nearly 35,000 visitors. The organizers anticipate investment agreements exceeding $44 billion. Tunisia is participating through a 300 m² national pavilion, which includes about thirty companies operating in the agri-food, automotive, pharmaceutical, and technology sectors, as well as support institutions.
An Identity-Based Presence
For the Tunisian authorities, this presence is more than economic; it is identity-based. Kaïs Saïed continually emphasizes Tunisia's African belonging and the need for South-South cooperation based on solidarity and sovereignty. "Africa is rich in resources capable of ensuring the prosperity of its peoples," he declared last July, stressing the role Tunisia can play thanks to its geographical positioning and expertise in sectors like textiles, health, or renewable energies.
A Symbolic Charge in Tunis-Algiers Relations
The event also carries significant symbolic weight in the relationship between Tunis and Algiers. Kaïs Saïed's last visit to Algeria was in November 2024, during the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Algerian Revolution, a moment when memory and fraternity merged in a common tribute to the liberation struggles. This new meeting extends this trajectory by affirming the shared will of the two countries to defend a vision of the future: that of a united, prosperous, and self-determined Africa.
A Human Dimension
Beyond commercial agreements and impressive figures, the meeting between Saïed and Tebboune in Algiers has a human dimension. It expresses the conviction that African integration is not limited to financial flows and statistics but rests primarily on trust, solidarity, and the recognition of a shared history. For the two presidents, as well as for the peoples they represent, this human dimension gives meaning to cooperation and nurtures the hope for a stronger and more solidarity-driven continent.
