The Algerian cabinet has approved a significant draft law designed to establish a comprehensive legal framework for digital identity and electronic trust services. The legislation aims to accelerate the nation’s digital transformation by linking a new national digital ID system to the country’s existing biometric national identity cards.
The new law, which updates and modernizes a 2015 act focused on electronic signatures, provides formal legal recognition for a range of digital trust services. These include digital signatures, electronic seals, secure time-stamping, and web authentication services. By establishing clear rules and legal validity for these tools, the government aims to secure online transactions and foster confidence in the digital economy.
Biometric Data Consolidation and 2030 Digital Strategy
A central component of the new legislation is the consolidation of citizens’ biometric data into a unified digital identity platform. This move is intended to streamline e-government services, simplify administrative procedures for both citizens and businesses, and strengthen digital security. The government stated that the law will facilitate the growth of e-commerce and e-government as part of its “2030 Digital Strategy.”
Under the proposal, any entity wishing to offer legally recognized trust services must be certified and meet specified conditions to guarantee the integrity and validity of the digital certificates they issue.
The legal reform comes as Algeria experiences significant digital growth. With an internet penetration rate approaching 80% and over 55 million mobile connections (representing nearly 116% of the population), the country has a strong foundation for a digital-first economy. At the start of 2025, Algeria counted approximately 36.2 million internet users, a figure that underscores the expanding digital ecosystem.
The government’s stated goal for the legislation is to modernize public services by providing all businesses and citizens with a legally recognized and secure digital identity, thereby strengthening the foundation for all future digital initiatives. The draft law, approved during a recent council of ministers meeting chaired by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, will now move to the next stage of the legislative process for final approval.
Sources: Ecofin Agency, Government of Algeria Press Release.
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
