Algeria to set up payment cards in shops, bus and gas stations

Algerian post, finance ministries and the Central Bank will set payment electronic distributors in all the shops, commercial centers, pharmacies, airports, bus and gas stations as from December. A total of 25 million Algerians who have postal and bank accounts will have a payment card.

General Director of the Automatic Monetary Enterprise in Algeria Nawel Bentorki said electronic payment distributors will be established in shops, supermarkets, pharmacies, airports and bus stations.

She added that this measure aims at stopping cash payment and ensure the safety of people from theft.

“Payment by card is a quick commercial operation between shop keepers and personal bank account. It the best way to secure money. If this card is stolen, it can be suspended immediately,” she told Echorouk.

She also said the number of Algerians who have bank and postal accounts reached 25 million this year.

“Each person who has a postal or bank account will have the card because dealing with cash will be stopped.”