Agency Agreement for Algeria

Appointing an Agent in Algeria: Preparing the Agreement

Algeria is one of Africa’s largest markets, and most U.S. manufacturers reach it through a local partner: a commercial agent who represents the brand, or an importer and distributor who buys and resells the products. That partner usually needs a certified copy of your agreement to show customs, banks, the commercial registry, regulators and public buyers that it really represents you.

What the agreement does for your Algerian partner

With a certified agency agreement, your partner can show it is your authorized representative. It needs that to register your products with the relevant ministry, to submit offers in public tenders, to deal with importers and to answer customs or bank questions about where goods come from. Without it, the partner is just a reseller, and Algerian offices may refuse to deal with it on your behalf.

The 2026 change

Algeria joined the Hague Apostille Convention, effective July 9, 2026. A U.S.-signed agency agreement now needs only an apostille from the Secretary of State of the notary’s state. It no longer goes to the U.S. Department of State or the Embassy of Algeria, which used to add weeks and embassy fees.

Drafting points for Algeria

Name the parties exactly. Use your company’s full legal name and the agent’s name exactly as it appears in its Algerian commercial register extract (CNRC). Algerian offices compare them letter by letter.

Define the products and territory. List the brands or product lines, ideally in an annex, and say whether the agent covers all of Algeria or certain regions.

Exclusivity and duration. State clearly whether the appointment is exclusive, when it starts, how long it lasts and how it can be ended. Ministries and tender committees check that the agreement is in force on the date of submission.

Choose the language early. Algerian administration works in Arabic, and French is used widely in business. Many companies sign a bilingual English–French agreement. Otherwise, the apostilled English version is officially translated in Algeria.

Signing and certification

Your authorized officer signs in person before a U.S. notary, and initials every page if the agreement requires it. The Algerian partner signs its counterpart in Algeria. The notary’s state then issues the apostille. Some Algerian bodies also ask to see a chamber of commerce stamp on foreign commercial contracts. If yours does, we add the Arab American Chamber of Commerce stamp before the apostille.

Documents that usually go with it

Expect your partner to ask for supporting company documents: a certificate of good standing, a board resolution approving the appointment and naming the signer, and sometimes a power of attorney for Algeria or a letter of authorization for specific products. Apostilling them together in one order keeps names and dates consistent.