Algeria’s state-owned oil company Sonatrach has a new CEO — again. Noureddine Daoudi, a veteran of the energy sector who retired from the firm in 2023, has been recalled to helm Africa’s largest oil producer.
Known for his quiet demeanor and strong command of international partnerships, Daoudi steps into a role marked by instability. Over the past 15 years, Sonatrach has cycled through eight CEOs, with four appointed during President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s tenure. The average time in office? Less than two years.
Daoudi’s return signals a desire for steady leadership amid shifting global energy dynamics and Algeria’s push to strengthen its strategic alliances. Whether he can bring long-term stability to Sonatrach remains to be seen — but his deep institutional knowledge and diplomatic finesse may offer the company a much-needed anchor.