The government has plans to improve transport access across Algeria’s vast territory. The railway system has been a priority in successive government development plans. In the period of 2010-2014, money was allocated to the development and modernization of railway infrastructure.

According to the state-owned National Company for Rail Transport (Societe Nationale des Transport Ferroviaires), the agency in charge of managing and operating the rail system, Algeria’s railway network spans 4573 kilometers, 3854 kilometers of which are currently in use. In all of that, 449 kilometers are double-track lines and a total of 323 kilometers are electrified.

The main Northern axis of the railway links Annaba, Constantine, and Algiers, extending to the borders with Tunisia in the East and Morocco in the West. the Northern axis also connects the Hauts Plateaux and Sothern provinces

However, the authorities are now working to expand the railway network and modernize infrastructure. The network will extend over 12,500 kilometers from its 4,500 kilometers, providing efficient links to the country’s port, airport, and logistics infrastructure.

This extension primarily aims to improve connectivity to the South, particularly between the country’s productive areas and export hubs, with a view to stimulating economic activity. Two new planned lines connecting Jijel to Sétif (130 km) and Batna to Sétif (130 km) will improve links to the cement plants in Ain El Kebira (Sétif) and Ain Touta (Batna), as well as to the port of Djen Djen, in Jijel. Construction of the railway line connecting In Salah to Tamanrasset and railway lines linking Touggourt to Hassi-Messaoud and Laghouat to Djelfa is also expected to begin in the short term, with the tenders issued in late 2015.

This project is slated to be completed in 2030.