Kuwaiti Girl
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In my opinion, Algeria has a very bright future, despite the current political and economic challenges it needs to overcome.
Geographically speaking, Algeria has one of the highest rates of insolation in the world, making the country a perfect place for the solar energy industry.
Potentially, solar power stations in the deserts of Algeria will be able to generate enough electricity for all of Europe. This means that, in the coming decades, Algeria will replace the oil- and gas-rich Gulf Arab countries as the number one exporter of energy to Europe. And, unlike the Gulf states, Algeria won't have to worry about the depletion of its energy resources.
Algeria and other countries in North Africa are already thinking of producing and exporting solar-derived electricity to mainland Europe via transcontinental power grids.
If all goes to plan, Algeria will be able to secure its economic future by becoming the main energy partner of the EU.
For the first time in modern history, the center of power in the Arab World might shift from the Mashriq (i.e. Arab East) to the Maghreb (i.e. Arab West). This westward shift of power will likely endure through time.
Apart from solar energy, Algeria does have the ingredients to become a regional power. The country has great infrastructure, a growing population, a formidable military, and enough manpower to meet its local demands. Geographically, the country is also set to become a transit hub between Europe and the countries of sub-Saharan Africa, the latter of which are expected to experience rapid economic growth in the coming years/decades.
But there's no doubt that Algeria's solar power potential is its main quality/strength. As the world's number one producer and exporter of solar-derived electricity in the future, Algeria will reap the economic, financial and geopolitical rewards that many of the today's wealthy countries enjoy.
In short, I think North Africa is destined to have a bright future, especially when compared to other parts of the MENA region.
Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya will very likely enjoy similar success in the coming decades as well.
There are, of course, a number of challenges that need to be addressed. First and foremost, Islamic terrorism must be convincingly defeated in the region, especially in Libya. A politically unstable and divided/fragmented Libya will likely delay North Africa's solar energy projects due to regional security concerns. Marginalized ethnic/religious minorities in North Africa, especially in Algeria and Morocco, must also be granted more cultural and political rights in order for these countries to achieve the lasting peace that is necessary for economic growth and prosperity. Tunisian-style political reforms must be emulated across the region as a whole.
Countries such as Italy, France and Spain will no doubt try to encourage stability in the region in order to curb cross-Mediterranean migration and also in order to help the Maghreb countries build the necessary infrastructure for the export of solar-derived electricity into Europe.
Overall, I think the future is bright for Algeria and the Arab West in general.
By contrast, the Arab East, including the GCC states, will be facing dire economic and environmental crises in the coming years, especially in light of the post-oil era. For the very first time in modern history, the Arabic-speaking World will be politically and economically dominated by the countries west of the river Nile. Interestingly, the rise of the Arab Maghreb and the impending rapid economic growth of much of sub-Saharan Africa will likely lead to the increased use of the French language, thereby making French an important language to learn not only in North Africa but also in southwest Asia. That said, English will likely remain the most important language of international business in the region.
