Algeria has introduced a new regulatory framework governing express mail, parcel transport and delivery services, as authorities seek to modernise a fast-growing sector driven by the expansion of e-commerce.
The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications said the new specifications entered into force on Sunday, according to the state-run Algerian Press Service (APS). Officials said the measures are designed to strengthen consumer protection, secure digital transactions and support the development of the national digital economy.
The framework was jointly developed by the ministry and the Postal and Electronic Communications Regulatory Authority (ARPCE), which oversaw the legal and regulatory architecture of the text. It follows a consultation process that began in September 2025, when government officials first met express delivery operators to discuss the need for clearer rules governing the sector.
Authorities said the new regulations strike a balance between encouraging investment and safeguarding customer rights. Under the specifications, delivery companies are required to meet minimum service-quality standards, comply with delivery deadlines and ensure the protection of personal data. Operators must also establish formal mechanisms for handling customer complaints and disputes.
The framework places particular emphasis on digitalisation. Companies are encouraged to expand the use of electronic payment methods, a key issue in a market still heavily reliant on cash-on-delivery transactions. Delivery agents are also required to operate under clear commercial identities, including the use of uniforms and identifiable branding, in a bid to improve transparency and consumer confidence.
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Beyond consumer-facing measures, the new rules aim to bring greater structure to a labour-intensive sector that has expanded rapidly in recent years, often through informal arrangements. The government said the specifications are intended to formalise existing activities, improve working conditions and strengthen the operational stability of delivery firms.
While the authorities cautioned that the reforms are unlikely to generate large numbers of new jobs in the short term, they said greater regulatory clarity should help create more sustainable employment dynamics and reduce uncertainty for operators.
The move comes as Algeria’s e-commerce market continues to grow steadily. According to figures cited by local media from the Ministry of Commerce, online trade in the country exceeded US$1.5 billion in 2024, fuelled by a rising number of digital merchants and increased use of online platforms by consumers.
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Officials said the delivery and parcel sector has become a critical link in the e-commerce value chain, making its regulation essential to the broader digital transformation agenda. By setting clearer rules for market participants, the government hopes to foster trust, improve service quality and support the long-term development of digital trade in Africa’s largest country by land area.
