Electronic documents from Algeria's portal now accepted by administrations

Public administrations now accept documents issued electronically through Algeria's national digital services portal, the digitisation minister said in Algiers on Tuesday.

Meriem Benmouloud, minister and High Commissioner for Digitisation, spoke at a media meeting organised by the High Commission for Digitisation (HCN). Algérie Eco and Algérie 360 reported the details.

Mohamed Hattab, minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security, and Fouzia Naama, minister delegate for local authorities, also took part.

Benmouloud said people can use documents issued electronically at public administrations, under a decision by Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb. The decision recognises electronic documents and aims to make paperwork easier.

"Digital transformation is not limited to issuing documents electronically, but requires their effective acceptance by administrations, which strengthens trust in digital services," Benmouloud said.

The portal launched in July with 21 services. It now offers 68, and Benmouloud said it hopes to pass 100 public services by the end of this year, including 23 for electronically signed documents.

Four months after its launch, the portal has more than two million registered users. More than 800,000 electronic documents have been issued and signed, Benmouloud said.

People can now track their documents and see whether administrations have accepted them. If a document is refused, they can file an appeal or an online complaint.

Hattab said the move was a milestone in new administrative practices based on simpler procedures and faster handling.

"The administration should move from asking people for documents to one that collects information, checks it and exchanges it with the services concerned," Hattab said.

He said recognising digital documents would end the use of paper and electronic routes side by side. People should not have to provide documents or information that another public administration already holds, within the legal rules for exchanging and checking data.

The labour sector's digital system now has 38 platforms offering 256 electronic services, spread over 13 bodies under its supervision. Seven of those services have been added to the national portal.

He also said work must continue on information systems, staff skills and the protection of personal data.