Algérie Télécom (AT), Algeria’s state-owned fixed-line operator, has officially announced it will replace French with English on customer invoices, making Arabic and English the only languages featured. The decision, unveiled on August 10, reflects a significant shift in Algeria’s linguistic and cultural orientation.
For decades, French occupied a prominent role in AT’s official documents. By adopting English, AT signals a strategic pivot toward global business norms and the international technology ecosystem, where English remains the dominant language. The company described the move as “a new stage in the modernization of its services,” aimed at improving customer experience and accessibility for expatriates, multinational corporations, foreign students, and English-speaking professionals.
The change is part of a broader operational transformation, including the launch of a fully English-language version of AT’s official website. According to the operator, integrating English into documents will enhance transparency, align services with international standards, and strengthen Algeria’s competitiveness on the global stage.
This decision follows similar actions by other state-owned enterprises such as Air Algérie and Seaal, which recently eliminated French from customer-facing materials. It also comes amid strained Algeria–France relations, exacerbated by French President Emmanuel Macron’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara — a move Algeria has strongly condemned as a violation of international law.
