Giorgia Meloni arrived in Algiers on Wednesday for a high-stakes working visit aimed at strengthening energy ties with Algeria, as Italy scrambles to secure stable gas supplies in an increasingly volatile global market.
The trip marks Meloni’s second visit to Algeria since taking office and comes at a critical moment for Rome. Ongoing tensions in the Middle East, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, have disrupted global liquefied natural gas (LNG) flows, including exports from Qatar. With supply chains under pressure, Italy is seeking alternative sources to safeguard its energy needs.
Algeria has emerged as a key partner in this strategy. Already Italy’s largest gas supplier, accounting for roughly 30 percent of its total imports, the North African nation is directly linked to Italy through the Trans-Mediterranean Pipeline, commonly known as Transmed. This infrastructure provides a crucial advantage, allowing gas to flow directly across the Mediterranean.
During her visit, Meloni is expected to push for increased gas volumes and more favorable pricing. However, negotiations are likely to be complex. Algeria, benefiting from surging global demand and limited competition among suppliers, is keen to sell its gas at prevailing market rates rather than offer discounts.
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Italian officials are reportedly proposing a package of investments and deeper economic cooperation in exchange for lower prices, signaling Rome’s willingness to strengthen long-term ties beyond energy alone. Still, analysts caution that Algeria may have little incentive to concede on pricing given its strengthened position in the global energy market.
Complicating matters further is the question of capacity. Despite the existence of the Transmed pipeline, Algeria faces mounting pressure to boost production and expand export capabilities to meet rising international demand. Scaling up output quickly could prove challenging, even as European countries increasingly turn to North Africa for energy security.
Meloni’s visit underscores a broader shift in global energy dynamics, where geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions are reshaping alliances. For Italy, deepening its partnership with Algeria is not just an economic priority, but a strategic necessity in an uncertain energy landscape.
