SEAAL Follows Air Algérie’s Lead by Switching to English on Bills and Communications

The Water and Sanitation Company of Algiers (SEAAL) has officially announced that it will no longer issue bills in French, opting instead for Arabic and English. This move follows a similar decision by Air Algérie and reflects Algeria’s increasing shift towards English in public and corporate sectors.

SEAAL, the company responsible for managing Algiers' water and sanitation services, revealed on May 7 that it would begin issuing more than 5 million bills annually in Arabic and English, fully abandoning French. The change is part of SEAAL’s efforts to align with international standards and improve communication with foreign partners and digital platforms. While Arabic remains the primary language for Algerian customers, the inclusion of English is seen as a strategic choice, according to the company’s CEO, Lyes Mihoubi. Additionally, SEAAL has introduced English language training for its executives and employees to support the transition.

This initiative aligns with Algeria’s broader strategy to promote English, particularly in business, technology, and innovation sectors. The push for English follows a similar move by Air Algérie, which also switched to Arabic and English for ticketing, marking a significant departure from the use of French.