The largest company in Africa announced plans to increase investment to desalination plants along the coast of Algeria. The company operates as the country's largest company and one of the largest consortiums in the world that controlled some of the largest pipelines operating on the African continent. Furthermore, its increased investments in hydrocarbons has come as a result of a government initiative that seeks to diversify the energy needs of Algeria. It is speculated that foreign governments, Russia in particular, has been in talks with the government regarding the sale of petrol and crude oil. In recent years, the company has opened up to foreign investment and joint ventures with international oil giants to aid in oil exploitation and creation of new pipelines.