In 2024, a client asked me: "Who do I go to for Algeria ANF certification?" He'd been searching online for two weeks – plenty of material on Morocco ANRT and Tunisia CERT – but Algeria was a blank.

Not surprising. The foreign investment barrier there is higher than its neighbours – ANF rules don't update frequently – but when they move, they move wholesale – fall behind and you're out.

1. First, Understand the Institutional Relationship

ANF – Autorité Nationale de Régulation des Fréquences – National Frequency Regulation Authority. Radio equipment access, spectrum management, type approval – all are decided by ANF alone.

My first trap was confusing ARPT and ANF. ARPT (Regulatory Authority for Posts and Telecommunications) handles operator licences and telecom business operating permits. It does not handle device certification. It does not handle type approval. CPEs, base stations, cellular terminals, Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth devices – an ANF equipment approval certificate is sufficient. There is no ANF + ARPT dual approval. Unlike Tunisia, Algeria hasn't split these functions.

·Certificate name

Industry habitually calls it ANF certification or HOMOLOGATION ANF. The formal French name is Agrément d'équipement radioélectrique – radio equipment approval certificate.

  2. Which Products Must Comply?

All radio transmitting equipment used and sold in Algeria requires ANF approval:

·Cellular (2G/3G/4G/5G terminals and modules)

·Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth

·SRD short‑range devices

·Satellite communication terminals

·Wireless microphones and two‑way radios

No exceptions.

·Wi‑Fi laptops and tablets

This is stricter than Morocco and Tunisia by a significant margin. Products that qualify for exemption or low‑risk declaration in Morocco – must go through formal ANF approval in Algeria. Don't apply Moroccan experience to Algeria.

Not every model needs separate approval. Same mainboard, same RF parameters, same antenna configuration – can be series‑covered. Changed appearance, changed screen, changed battery capacity – the key is whether these changes actually affect RF parameters. If they do – separate application – series does not apply.

  3. 5G Certification – Already Open

Opened at the end of 2025. NSA and SA terminals and modules can be submitted and certified normally. No need to wait for the second half of 2026 – anyone saying otherwise is probably relying on outdated information.

·The local‑testing trap

ANF accepts ETSI‑standard test reports from EU KOLAS or ILAC‑accredited labs – partially. RF testing can be reduced – not 100% retesting required.

Prerequisites to clarify:

·Lab accreditation and test‑standard versions must be confirmed with ANF first – don't assume all EU reports qualify.

·Only spurious limits and local‑band‑specific items must be supplemented by local labs.

·I've seen clients send a pile of EU reports – ANF said the accreditation was wrong – three weeks wasted.

·RF standards – which ones?

RF testing follows ANF's published Spécifications Techniques d'Homologation. Referenced standards are similar to ETSI – EN 300 328, EN 301 893, EN 301 908 series. But: band allocation and power limits follow Algeria's national frequency allocation table – European data is useless.

·Limit differences – not just spurious

Test items are broadly the same as FCC and CE – output power, spectrum mask, spurious emissions, frequency error, occupied bandwidth. Limit differences are not just a few dB lower on spurious.

2.4 GHz sub‑bands and 5 GHz indoor/outdoor power limits are not identical to ETSI. Applying CE reports to ANF – effective radiated power and occupied bandwidth may also be borderline or fail. I've seen more than one project fail on this.

EMC is also mandatory. Standards align with ETSI EN 301 489 series – but Algeria's grid voltage stability and earthing conditions differ from Europe – conducted emissions on power ports sometimes show differences.

  4. The Full Process

·Confirm the standards

Take your product spec sheet – list bands, modes, modulation, transmit power – have your local agent confirm applicable standards with ANF. Don't skip this step.

ANF may not reference the current latest version of technical specification documents for different categories. Using the wrong version – everything after is wasted – money spent, no refund.

·Sample shipping

Ship via DHL to Algiers. Customs documents – consignee must be your local authorised agent's registered address and name – shipping directly to ANF gets returned.

RF test ports on samples must match mass‑production configuration – test firmware must enable continuous transmit and receive modes. Miss one – reship.

·How long?

·Single‑mode Wi‑Fi or Bluetooth device testing: 2–3 weeks.

·Multi‑mode 5G terminals: 4–6 weeks.

Ramadan, and the period around 1 November (Revolution Day) – noticeable slowdowns. August summer administrative leave – also a blackout period. Schedule around these – otherwise you're burning agent fees while waiting.

·Get the certificate

Test reports, technical documents (French or English), and nameplate artwork – submitted to ANF for review. Review: 2–4 weeks – then the Agrément certificate is issued.

Certificate validity: permanent. Unlike Morocco and Tunisia – no 3‑year validity – no annual audit – no renewal. Hardware, RF parameters, antenna, or firmware changes – then you need to report.

  5. Local Representative and Documents

Overseas manufacturers must appoint an Algerian local authorised representative. The representative is the certificate holder – legally responsible to ANF. Don't choose an agent just to save money – when things go wrong, it all comes back to you.

Document language:

·Technical documents: French or English.

·Application forms and nameplate markings: must be in French.

·Arabic – not mandatory.

Nameplate: ANF approval number, product model, manufacturer name, and country of origin must be shown. The approval number format has been updated since 2024 – new certificates use a pure numeric sequence – the old ANF/Year/XXX format is discontinued. Label new nameplates according to the certificate number – don't copy old templates.

  6. Customs – The Real Barrier

Algeria has a dual pre‑declaration mechanism for radio equipment imports:

·ANF system registration of the approval number – before goods arrive.

·Customs import permit pre‑declaration – must be completed simultaneously.

If you only do ANF registration but miss customs filing – goods are still held at the port.

Some try to ship first, certify later – goods arrive, certificate isn't ready. Demurrage is charged daily – one container can rack up tens of thousands. Standard North African practice: get the certificate first – then ship. The worst case I've seen: a container held at Algiers port for two months – demurrage exceeded the certification cost.

For Algeria ANF certification, contact BlueAsia at 13534225140 (King) or email king.guo@cblueasia.com.