In recent years, Algeria, a country in North Africa once ruled by France, has made a big splash in Europe’s energy scene. Here’s how this former French colony is now holding the reins on Europe’s gas supply and what that means for the continent.

Algeria’s Rising Power

Back in 2022, as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine was making headlines, Europe faced a tough choice. It needed to find new sources of gas because it was trying to reduce its reliance on Russian energy. One of the countries that Europe started looking at closely was Algeria.

Two years later, Algeria is now the biggest supplier of pipeline gas to the EU, beating out Russia. This African nation is leading the way in natural gas production and exports across Africa. In fact, Algeria has become such a crucial player that European countries are having to make political compromises to keep getting their gas.

FILE PHOTO: A gas plant in Algeria. ©  AP Photo / Aflred de Montesquiou

Dominating the Gas Mark...