Tunisia is at a pivotal moment. With clear signs of economic recovery and renewed momentum across several sectors, the country now has a unique opportunity to turn this progress into long-term, inclusive growth. The African Development Bank’s latest Country Focus Report offers a timely and practical blueprint for how Tunisia can harness its human, financial and natural capital to build a more resilient economy and, crucially, how this transformation can create more room for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to grow and thrive.
The report, titled Unlocking Tunisia’s Capital for Sustainable Development, identifies key levers that can shift the country’s economic trajectory in a more inclusive direction. One of its most encouraging findings is that Tunisia’s economy is already showing signs of stability. In 2024, the country saw its GDP grow by 1.4%, up from just 0.4% in 2023. This growth has been supported by stronger agricultural output, increased industrial activity and steady performance in the services sector. Inflation has been contained at 7%, while the fiscal deficit was reduced to 6.1% of GDP, largely thanks to better tax collection. These trends suggest that with the right policies and investment, Tunisia can maintain positive momentum.
At the heart of the report is a strong push to mobilize Tunisia’s underutilized resources, its educated population, strategic location, entrepreneurial energy and natural assets, to deliver meaningful economic gains. Malinne Blomberg, Deputy Director General for North Africa and the Bank’s Country Manager for Tunisia, pointed to these strengths as vital building blocks. She emphasized that Tunisia’s well-educated workforce, dynamic private sector and valuable resources should be central to any growth strategy and that the report is designed to support informed and data-driven dialogue on how to use these assets effectively.
One of the report’s core messages is that Tunisia must deepen its support for private enterprise. Strengthening the private sector, particularly MSMEs, is not just a development priority, it is an economic necessity. Small businesses form the backbone of Tunisia’s job market but many still face serious barriers when it comes to accessing finance, expanding operations or formalizing their activities. The Bank’s report calls for the adoption of more innovative financial instruments, such as FinTech solutions, green bonds and crowdfunding platforms, that can help diversify funding options and bring new players into the financial ecosystem.
In addition, the report advocates for improving credit guarantee mechanisms to make finance more accessible, particularly for MSMEs that often lack traditional collateral. These changes could make a real difference for small business owners looking to invest in new equipment, expand their workforce or enter new markets. Easier access to capital also has the potential to drive innovation and support the transition to a greener, more digital economy.
Beyond financial tools, the report underscores the need for stronger economic governance and more effective coordination across public institutions. By improving how national resources are allocated and how development strategies are executed, Tunisia can ensure that investments, whether public or private, have a real and measurable impact on people’s lives. This means clearer rules, faster procedures and more transparency across the board, all of which matter for business confidence and long-term planning.
The African Development Bank’s active presence in Tunisia further reinforces the importance of these recommendations. As of June 2025, the Bank’s portfolio in the country included 34 projects across eight sectors, with a total commitment of approximately €1.7 billion. Transport, water and sanitation, agriculture and energy are among the top investment areas but the Bank is also active in supporting finance, digital innovation, social development and multi-sector projects. These investments are closely aligned with national priorities and the Bank’s regular dialogue with government and private sector actors ensures that support remains practical and relevant.
For Tunisia’s small business community, this alignment is especially important. Through its ongoing partnership with the Bank, the government has a valuable opportunity to improve the business environment, promote job creation and unlock new pathways for enterprise development. MSMEs often operate in fragile ecosystems and sustained support, both technical and financial, is needed to help them scale and compete.
The report also calls for broader reform, particularly when it comes to expanding the tax base and improving human capital. These reforms, while complex, are central to making economic growth more sustainable. By investing in skills development, especially for youth and women, Tunisia can prepare its workforce for the demands of a changing economy. At the same time, tax reforms can ensure that the state has the revenue it needs to invest in public services without placing excessive pressure on formal businesses.
Taken together, the findings and recommendations in this report provide a well-grounded roadmap for how Tunisia can move forward. They offer a clear vision of how growth can be made not only faster, but also fairer, ensuring that more Tunisians and especially the small businesses that drive local economies, can benefit from national progress.
What Tunisia does next will matter. The country has the tools, the talent and the support of key partners like the African Development Bank. With political will and focused reforms, it can build an economy that works for everyone, from high-level investors to the small businesses powering communities across the country.
