AGP Executive Report

Forest Restoration: Tunisia has adopted a 2026–35 plan to reforest 30,000 hectares after fires destroyed more than 74,000 hectares over 15 years. The first season targets 24,000 hectares and 10 million seedlings. Security Cooperation: The US delivered about $1 million in counterterrorism equipment to support Tunisian law-enforcement training. Migration: A Liminal report says Frontex surveillance contributed to the forced return of more than 33,000 people to Tunisia and Libya between 2018 and 2024, raising questions about the EU’s reliance on the two countries to police migration routes. Aerospace Growth: Tunisia’s aerospace sector now includes more than 85 companies and employs over 20,000 people; exports reached 1.74 billion dinars in 2025. Household Spending: Tunisians spent nearly 1.96 billion dinars on travel abroad in the first nine months of 2026, according to central bank figures. 2027 Budget: Parliamentary committees are hearing from ministers on proposed ministry budgets.

Aerospace Growth: Tunisia’s aerospace sector now includes more than 85 companies and employs over 20,000 people. Exports reached 1.74 billion dinars in 2025, while foreign investment rose 30% year on year. The country aims to double exports and add 10,000 jobs by 2030. Tunisia Abroad: A Tunisian was among the 69 people killed in last week’s high-speed train collision in Spain. Authorities have identified all victims; 29 injured people remain in hospital. Economic Pressures: Tunisia is targeting 3.1% growth in 2027, but a business survey found summer power outages cost companies an estimated 1.27 billion dinars in lost value. Press Freedom: Journalist Zied El-Heni was sentenced to four years in prison on terrorism charges.

Spain Rail Disaster: A Tunisian was among the 69 people killed in last week’s train collision in Spain; authorities have now identified all victims. Jobs and Employment: Tunisia’s first online registration platform for long-term unemployed applicants is ready, but the next stage depends on regulations that have yet to be issued, with no completion date announced. Business: Advent has agreed to acquire Vermeg, the financial software group founded in Tunisia, with Abu Dhabi’s ADIA joining as a minority investor; founder Badreddine Ouali will retain a stake. Export Drive: Tunisian investors are exploring construction and building-materials opportunities in Cameroon, while trade consultant Salim Ben Khaled says Tunisian firms could make better use of existing agreements to reach African, Arab and European markets.

Business: Advent has agreed to acquire Tunisian-founded financial software group Vermeg, with Abu Dhabi’s ADIA joining as a minority investor. Founder Badreddine Ouali will retain a stake; the deal is expected to close in early 2027. Spain Rail Disaster: A Tunisian citizen was among 69 people killed in last week’s train collision, Spanish authorities confirmed as they identified 66 victims. Exports: Consultant Salim Ben Khaled says Tunisia can expand into foreign markets by making better use of trade agreements and processing competitively priced African raw materials for re-export. Banking: Capital Intelligence affirmed BIAT’s ratings, but said Tunisia’s sovereign risk continues to constrain the bank. Employment: The first part of a digital platform to register long-term unemployed people is ready, but there is no timeline for completion of the remaining stages. Sport: Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur says she and husband Karim Kamoun are expecting a boy in April and hopes to return to tennis after becoming a mother.

Spain Crash: Tunisian nationals were among the 69 people killed in last week’s high-speed train collision, Spanish authorities confirmed as victim identifications continued. Tennis: Ons Jabeur is expecting a baby boy in April and has spoken about her hopes of returning to the sport as a mother. Culture: Tunisia’s appearance as guest of honour at Belgrade’s International Book Fair highlighted its literary heritage and 70 years of relations with Serbia. Nabeul: The Harissa Festival wrapped up after three days celebrating Tunisia’s UNESCO-recognised spicy sauce and culinary traditions. Public Services: Vandalism has caused an estimated 4 million dinars in damage to Tunisia’s public transport network. Press Freedom: Journalist Zied El-Heni was sentenced to four years in prison on terrorism charges.

Culture: Nabeul’s Harissa Festival ran through November 1, celebrating Tunisia’s UNESCO-recognized chili paste with tastings and demonstrations. Football: Former national team coach Sami Trabelsi says interference by a Tunisian Football Federation official undermined the squad before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, including attempts to influence player selections. Public Transport: Transport Minister Rachid Amri estimates vandalism caused about 4 million dinars in damage to vehicles and facilities during 2025–26, and urged civil society to help protect services. Industry: Tunisia’s leather and footwear sector is losing businesses and jobs amid rising costs, informal trade and a shortage of skilled workers, its industry representative warns. Heritage: A nearly 2,400-year-old Numidian house has been discovered in Siliana, adding to recent archaeological findings in the country.

National Team: Former coach Sami Trabelsi says interference by a Tunisian Football Association official reached player selections and even arrangements in the team’s prayer rows, damaging the squad’s atmosphere before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Public Transport: Vandalism caused an estimated TND 4 million in damage to vehicles and facilities during 2025–26, Transport Minister Rachid Amri says; he urged civil society to help protect services. Business: A survey by the Tunisian Institute of Competitiveness and Quantitative Studies estimates summer power outages cost businesses TND 1.27 billion in lost value added. Phosphate Investment: A US-backed programme will connect investors and technical partners with PhosCo’s Gasaat project, aiming to mobilise up to $100 million for phosphate development. Heritage: A Tunisian-Catalan team uncovered a remarkably intact Numidian house at Sidi Saïd in Siliana, dating to the fourth century BC or earlier.

Air Sports: Kuwait’s team won aeromodelling gold at the Arab Model Aviation Championship in Tunisia, part of the Arab Air Sports Games. Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti met Russia’s ambassador to discuss turning summit commitments into projects, as Tunisia marks 70 years of diplomatic ties with Moscow. Industry: Tunisia’s footwear makers warn that informal trade, rising costs and a shortage of skilled workers are shrinking the sector and threatening jobs. Investment: A US-backed $1.5 million programme will help attract investment and partners for PhosCo’s Gasaat phosphate project, with a target of up to $100 million. Heritage: Archaeologists in Siliana uncovered a largely preserved Numidian house dating to the fourth century BC or earlier, offering new clues to ancient settlement life. Business Climate: A survey found summer power outages cost Tunisian businesses an estimated 1.27 billion dinars in value added.

Industry: Tunisia’s leather and footwear sector is shrinking as informal trade, second-hand imports, rising costs and labour shortages squeeze local manufacturers. Sector representatives are calling for a dedicated cabinet meeting. Phosphate Investment: A US-backed $1.5 million grant will help connect the Gasaat phosphate project with investors and technical partners, with the aim of mobilising up to $100 million. Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti met Russia’s ambassador to discuss expanding cooperation and following up on the Russia–Africa Summit. Economic Pressures: A survey found summer power outages cost Tunisian businesses TND 1.27 billion in value added. Separately, the draft 2027 budget assumes oil at $80 a barrel. Justice and Media: Tunisian journalist Zied El-Heni was sentenced to four years in prison on terrorism charges, while lawmakers reviewed a proposal to keep the judiciary council’s 2027 budget at TND 1.525 million. Heritage and Tourism: Archaeologists uncovered a largely preserved Numidian house in Siliana, dating to the fourth century BC or earlier. In Tozeur, tourist arrivals rose 15% and overnight stays 10%, with further growth forecast. Exports: Tunisia’s olive oil has drawn strong demand in Jordan, where imports helped offset a shortfall in local production last season.

Phosphate Investment: A $1.5 million US government grant will help connect investors and technical partners with PhosCo’s Tunisian phosphate project, aiming to mobilize up to $100 million and boost production and jobs. Regional Diplomacy: Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri told the Russia-Africa Summit that peace and security are essential to Africa’s development, calling for stronger conflict prevention and support for African-led solutions. Wildlife: A satellite-tracked loggerhead turtle has travelled about 2,700 kilometres from Cyprus to Tunisia and is now in the Boughrara lagoon near Djerba. Economic Outlook: Tunisia’s draft 2027 budget assumes oil at $80 a barrel and targets 3.1% growth; the 2026 forecast has been cut to 2.7%. Press Freedom: Journalist Zied El-Heni has been sentenced to four years in prison on terrorism charges in the leaked-recordings case; he is already serving a separate one-year sentence. Business Costs: An IACE survey estimates last summer’s power outages cost businesses about TND 1.27 billion in value added.

Regional Diplomacy: Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri told the Russia-Africa summit that peace and security are prerequisites for development, calling for stronger preventive diplomacy and African Union mediation. 2027 Economy: The government is targeting 3.1% growth and assumes oil prices of $80 a barrel in its draft budget; its 2026 growth forecast was cut to 2.7%. Business & Energy: Summer power outages cost businesses an estimated TND1.27 billion in lost value added, an IACE survey found. A new US-backed project will seek investment in Tunisia’s phosphate sector and connect local production to global supply chains. Press Freedom: Journalist Zied el-Heni was sentenced to four years in prison in the leaked-recordings case. The Committee to Protect Journalists called for his release; Ennahda leader Mondher Ounissi was also sentenced in a separate ruling tied to leaked audio.

International Gathering: A World Book of Records summit in Tunis brought delegates from 50 countries together to honour achievements and promote cooperation. Press Freedom: Journalist Zied el-Heni was sentenced to four years in prison in the “audio leaks” case; CPJ called for his release, saying the case stems from his reporting and refusal to reveal sources. Economic Outlook: Tunisia is targeting 3.1% growth in 2027, with plans to lift investment and expand renewable energy. Business Costs: Power cuts have cost businesses an estimated TND 1.27 billion in value added, according to an IACE study.

Economic Outlook: Tunisia is targeting 3.1% growth in 2027 and aims to lift investment to 16.4% of GDP, with a push for private investment and renewable energy. Power Reliability: An IACE survey found 96% of businesses suffered outages in July and August, losing an average of 13 operating days; the disruptions cost an estimated TND 1.27 billion in added value. Press and Courts: Journalist Zied El-Heni was sentenced to four years in prison and Ennahda figure Mondher Ounissi to nine years in the leaked-recordings case, drawing renewed concern over prosecutions of media and political figures. African Football: Espérance Tunis will face Petro Atlético, FC Nouadhibou and Wiliete in the CAF Champions League group stage, including two trips to Angola; Club Africain is grouped with MC Alger, Zamalek and Young Africans.

Economic Outlook: Tunisia is targeting 3.1% growth in 2027, with investment set to rise to 16.4% of GDP. The government says it will focus on productive sectors, private investment and renewable energy. Court Rulings: Journalist Zied El-Heni received a four-year prison sentence on terrorism charges, while Ennahda leader Mondher Ounissi was sentenced to nine years in the leaked-audio case. African Football: In the Champions League draw, Espérance Tunis landed in Group A and will travel twice to Angola; Club Africain will face MC Alger, Zamalek and Young Africans in Group B. Trade with Libya: Tunisian exporters are being urged to check new Libyan rules on business registration, pesticides, trademarks and foreign commercial agencies before making shipments.

Regional Trade: UNDP-backed programmes have helped Tunisian small businesses access markets in six African countries, with training aimed at boosting export readiness. Football: Espérance and Club Africain are among 16 teams through to the CAF Champions League group stage; the draw is set for Wednesday in Cairo. Diplomacy: Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri is in Moscow for the Russia-Africa summit, where she is expected to hold bilateral talks. Business: Monoprix reported a 7.8% revenue rise in the first nine months of 2026, while DACHSER plans a 6,000-square-metre logistics facility in Sousse. Local Affairs: A chess festival in Monastir has drawn about 300 players from 20 countries. Separately, protests over deaths and poor public services have brought clashes with police, while Tunisia ranked 89th in the 2026 Rule of Law Index.

Business: Monoprix reported a 7.8% rise in revenue to TND 670.9 million in the first nine months of 2026. German logistics group DACHSER also plans a 6,000-square-metre facility in Sousse, expanding services for the region’s exporters. Sport and Culture: Club Africain and Espérance advanced to the CAF Champions League group stage. Monastir is hosting the weeklong Sahel International Chess Festival, with about 300 players from 20 countries. Public Affairs: Protests and clashes in Tunis followed deaths reportedly linked to police, amid grievances over public services. Separately, a military court sentenced opposition figure Olfa Hamdi to four years in prison over social media posts. Energy: Scatec-Aeolus plans a 120-megawatt solar plant in Sidi Bouzid as Tunisia works to expand renewable power.