The Algeria euro black market recorded a sharp rebound on March 26, 2026, after a sudden fall earlier in the week, with the euro climbing back to 278.5 Algerian dinars at Square Port-Saïd, highlighting renewed volatility in the country’s parallel currency market.
After several weeks of relative stability, the parallel exchange market experienced a noticeable fluctuation. Since late November, the euro had been hovering around the 280 dinar threshold, a level not exceeded since February, indicating a temporary balance between supply and demand.
However, that stability was disrupted on Wednesday, March 25, when the euro dropped sharply. The European currency lost around three dinars in less than a week, falling to 275 dinars per unit. This sudden decline sparked speculation among traders, with some pointing to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to international travel as possible contributing factors.
Despite these explanations, the market reacted quickly. By Thursday, March 26, the euro staged a strong recovery, gaining 3.5 dinars in just 24 hours. Traders at Square Port-Saïd were offering the euro at 278.5 dinars, effectively erasing the previous day’s losses and ending the week on a high note.
The U.S. dollar followed a similar upward trend. After being traded at 233 dinars on March 23, the dollar rose to 236.5 dinars by March 26 in the same parallel market. This represents an increase of 3.5 dinars over three days, reinforcing the pattern of rapid and unpredictable fluctuations.
These movements once again highlight the instability of Algeria’s informal currency exchange market. Rates in this market are driven largely by supply-demand dynamics, speculation, and external factors, making them highly volatile compared to official figures.
In contrast, the official exchange rates published by the Bank of Algeria remain relatively stable. On March 26, the euro was officially valued at 153.18 dinars, nearly unchanged from the previous day’s 153.58 dinars. The U.S. dollar also showed minimal variation, moving slightly from 132.35 to 132.61 dinars.
This persistent gap between official and parallel market rates continues to be a defining feature of Algeria’s currency landscape. While the official market reflects controlled monetary policy, the black market responds more directly to economic pressures and public demand for foreign currency.
As fluctuations continue, analysts expect the Algerian euro black market to remain sensitive to both domestic conditions and international developments, with short-term volatility likely to persist in the absence of structural reforms.
Sami B. is the founder and editor of Algeria News Gate, an independent English-language platform covering Algeria’s political, economic, and business developments. Based in Europe, he reports on official announcements, economic trends, and international relations involving Algeria.