Changing to stay the same
Major infrastructure works launched at the beginning of the decade, thanks to the inflow of petrodollars and the second economic plan (costed at $55bn between 2004-2009), have begun to change the face of Algeria.

Liberalisation’s discontents
Egypt’s ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) looks set to maintain its tight grip on power. Recent constitutional changes and campaigns of arrests and harassment have largely contained its main political rival, the Muslim Brotherhood, which is officially banned. While there is still no formally-announced successor to 80-year-old President Hosni Mubarak, it is widely believed that his son, Gamal, is being lined up to take over.

Power to the people
The government of Muammar Qadhafi anticipates the dawning of a new age in relations with Europe after an eventful 2008 that saw the formal renewal of diplomatic links with the US, promises of dramatic political reform and also a renewed impetus towards revising oil contracts.

Old habits are hard to break
Little over a year after atoning for an earlier coup d'état by allowing elections, the military resumed its familiar business of running the country on 6 August 2008, when two units of the presidential security battalion (PSB) arrested President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi as he ate breakfast with his family.

Becoming a centre of gravity
Taking advantage of geography, Morocco wants to be the Mediterranean's trade and production hub. This is part of the county's strategic re-orientation towards an export-driven economy and away from the vagaries of rainfall.

Surviving the European slump
A well-oiled economic machine and strong fundamentals will see Tunisia through what could well be a tough 2009, given the predicted EU downturn.