AGP Executive Report

Protests and Accountability: Clashes spread across Ettadhamen, Jebeniana and Agareb after deaths linked to security-force encounters. Police fired tear gas as protesters blocked roads and burned tyres. The family of a man who died after detention alleges police violence; reports also cite a police account that he swallowed drugs. In Sfax, students protested delays in ambulance care after a student’s death. Rule of Law: Tunisia fell four places to 89th in the 2026 global index, scoring below the regional average. Football: Espérance de Tunis reached the CAF Champions League group stage, beating Libya’s Swehly on penalties after leveling the tie in the second leg. Business: STIP’s revenue rose 8.4% to TND 96 million in the first nine months, while Carthage Cement reported a 3% third-quarter revenue gain amid weaker year-to-date sales. Olive Oil: The government is preparing for the new season, including TND 150 million in financing to support purchases from local producers and expanded storage capacity.

Public Unrest: Police fired tear gas as protests spread in Ettadhamen and towns in Sfax after deaths in incidents involving security forces. Families and residents allege police abuse; accounts of the circumstances remain disputed. Sfax students also protested delays in emergency medical care. Olive Oil Season: The government is preparing for the 2026–27 harvest, expanding state storage capacity to 100,000 tonnes and arranging 150 million dinars in financing for the National Olive Oil Office to buy from local producers. Elderly Care: Tunisia’s 2027 budget plans more home-care teams and day centres, while keeping a 350-dinar monthly allowance for eligible families caring for disadvantaged older people. Kairouan Health: A hospital performed the governorate’s first corneal transplant, an emergency operation that officials say was successful. Local Services: El Metbassta post office reopened after an 80,000-dinar renovation; an ATM is planned for 2027.

Protests: Police fired tear gas as clashes spread in Ettadhamen and Sfax after several deaths allegedly linked to security forces. Families disputed official accounts, while Sfax students protested ambulance delays and poor campus medical services. Olive Oil: Tunisia is preparing for the 2026–27 season, with 150 million dinars in bank financing planned to help the National Olive Oil Office buy from producers. Public storage capacity has risen to 100,000 tonnes. Elder Care: The draft 2027 budget proposes expanding home-care teams to 62 and keeping a 350-dinar monthly allowance for eligible families caring for disadvantaged older people. Healthcare: Kairouan’s Ibn El Jazzar University Hospital performed its first corneal transplant, an emergency operation to save a patient’s eye. Flood Readiness: Bizerte tested its “Blue Plan” response and urged teams to clear waterways and drainage systems ahead of the rainy season.

Unrest: Clashes erupted in Tunis’s Ettadhamen suburb and Jebeniana after two men died in incidents linked to police. Families allege police violence; local reports say one man swallowed drugs while detained. Protesters blocked roads and burned tyres as police fired tear gas. In Sfax, students also protested after a fellow student died following a reported delay in ambulance services. Political Tensions: The unrest follows Tunisia’s biggest anti-President Kais Saied rally in years. A military court has also sentenced opposition leader Olfa Hamdi to four years in prison over social media posts. Economy & Energy: Tunisia’s 2027 budget plan includes TND 9.8 billion in central bank financing as spending outpaces revenue. Renewables now supply nearly 10% of electricity, up from about 2% in 2020, but Tunisia still gets 65–70% of its natural gas from Algeria, with a transit agreement due to expire in 2027. Business: UBCI’s net banking income rose 11.1% to TND 289.1 million in the first nine months of 2026. Foreign multinationals account for 20.7% of Tunisia’s gross output, the highest share among Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt, though their production has stagnated.

Protests and Policing: Police fired tear gas in Tunis’s Ettadhamen suburb and clashed with protesters in Jebeniana after two men died in separate incidents involving security forces. Relatives questioned the circumstances of the deaths; local reports said one man swallowed drugs before dying in hospital. Students in Sfax also protested after a woman died following a cardiac emergency. Gold Probe: Six more Sfax goldsmiths were detained in a widening money-laundering and tax-evasion investigation. Authorities say nearly two tonnes of gold may have been laundered over six years. Opposition Case: A military court sentenced Third Republic Party leader Olfa Hamdi to four years in prison over charges linked to social media posts, drawing criticism from rights advocates. Budget and Business: Tunisia’s 2027 budget debate is sharpening concerns over reliance on central-bank financing and the risk of further economic strain. Poulina Group reported a 4.7% rise in nine-month revenue, while Tunisie Leasing & Factoring’s net income climbed 12.5%. Public Services: Tataouine’s regional hospital opened a university cardiology department, bringing specialist care closer to residents.

Sfax Gold Probe: Six more goldsmiths have been detained in a money-laundering investigation, joining 13 previously held. Authorities suspect nearly two tonnes of gold were laundered over six years. Political Crackdown: A military court sentenced opposition leader Olfa Hamdi to four years in prison over social media posts, as thousands rallied against President Kais Saied last weekend in Tunisia’s biggest protest in years. Regional Services: Tataouine’s hospital opened a university cardiology department with 10 beds; Bizerte approved more than TND 4.7 million in road and hospital works. Business: Tunisie Leasing & Factoring’s nine-month net income rose 12.5% to TND 73.4 million, while Poulina Group revenue grew 4.7% to TND 3.2 billion. A 60-year-old olive oil business from Monastir is also using Temu to reach European consumers beyond its traditional wholesale market.

Politics: A military court sentenced opposition leader Olfa Hamdi to four years in prison over social media posts, days after thousands joined Tunisia’s biggest anti-President Kais Saied protest in years, calling for democracy and freedoms. Djerba Attack: An appeals court increased prison terms for several people convicted over the 2023 synagogue attack, including a 10-year sentence for the attacker’s fiancée. Border Cooperation: Tunisian and Algerian officials met in El Oued to review plans for developing their shared border regions, but announced no new projects or funding. Economy and Energy: Tunisia’s 2027 budget projects spending of nearly 68.9 billion dinars, while a separate plan proposes a 120-megawatt solar plant in Sidi Bouzid. Local Services: Residents in El Gabel, Siliana, are seeking reliable water and road repairs; officials say water repairs are under way, with no firm timeline for paving. Weather: Forecasters expect scattered rain overnight, with rough seas in northern waters and the Gulf of Hammamet.

Political Tensions: A military court sentenced opposition leader Olfa Hamdi to four years in prison, adding to pressure on critics of President Kais Saied after thousands protested in Tunis last weekend. Security: An appeals court increased prison terms for defendants in the 2023 Djerba synagogue attack, including a 10-year sentence for the attacker’s fiancée. Economy: Tunisia’s 2027 budget faces criticism over rising borrowing and inflation risks, while the government plans to expand community companies to 500 and fund 250 of them. Local Services: Residents of El Gabel in Siliana report nearly a year of water outages and a deteriorating access road; SONEDE says repairs are under way, but no road completion date was given. Regional Cooperation: Tunisia and Algeria held follow-up talks on development in their shared border region, with no new projects or funding announced. Energy: Scatec and Aeolus are considering a 120-megawatt solar plant in Sidi Bouzid as Tunisia seeks to expand renewable power. Weather: Scattered rain is forecast overnight, with thick clouds along parts of the central and southern coast.

Budget Pressure: Tunisia’s 2027 budget bill proposes up to TND 9.8 billion in Central Bank financing, extending a borrowing practice into a fourth year as the state faces rising funding needs. Analysts warn domestic borrowing could add to inflation and economic strain. Severe Weather: The Interior Ministry urged people to avoid flooded roads and riverbeds as thunderstorms, heavy rain and hail threatened parts of the north and centre. Political Tensions: Thousands protested in Tunis on October 17 in one of the country’s largest demonstrations in years, demanding democracy and freedoms amid persistent economic hardship. Investment: German industrial group SCHERDEL is assessing opportunities to establish operations in Tunisia, following an initial visit earlier this year. Agriculture: Tunisian livestock specialist Amel Makni was named among the FAO’s 100 women pioneering agrifood systems and rural development.

Politics: Thousands marched in Tunis in the biggest protest against President Kais Saied in years, demanding the release of detained critics and more political freedoms as economic hardship deepens. Weather: Tunisia’s meteorological institute warned of thunderstorms, locally heavy rain, hail and strong winds across nine governorates on Tuesday, including Greater Tunis, Nabeul, Sousse and Sfax. Investment: German industrial group SCHERDEL is assessing opportunities to establish operations in Tunisia after a second visit, with the company citing interest in the workforce and investment incentives. Energy: Engineers warn electricity supplies could come under greater strain in summer 2027; about 90% of power generation relies on natural gas. They are urging efficiency measures and faster investment in renewables. Culture: Tunisian artists are increasingly leaving for work abroad, says Le Rio director Habib Belhadi, who points to scarce production resources and performance spaces.

Political Unrest: Thousands marched in Tunis in the biggest protest against President Kais Saied in years, demanding the release of jailed critics and greater political freedoms as anger grows over living costs and unemployment. Economic Strain: Young Tunisians are weighing emigration as debt, rent and family expenses squeeze household budgets, while cash in circulation has climbed 16% in a year. Energy and Agriculture: Engineers warn that heavy reliance on natural gas could leave Tunisia facing electricity pressures next summer; in Gabès, olive production is forecast to fall 31.5% this season. Weather Alert: Thunderstorms, hail and strong winds are expected in parts of the north and centre, prompting road-safety warnings against crossing flooded routes. Cultural Heritage: A debate over protecting the word “fouta” as a trademark highlights concerns about safeguarding Tunisia’s traditional craftsmanship abroad.

Severe Weather: Tunisia’s road safety observatory warned drivers to slow down and never cross flooded roads as thunderstorms, hail and strong winds hit several regions. Energy Outlook: Engineers in Sfax warned that summer 2027 could strain electricity supplies, with about 90% of generation reliant on natural gas, and urged faster investment in renewables. Education: Thirty-three high school students received Chinese Ambassador Scholarships for taking part in cultural exchanges. Political Tensions: Thousands rallied in Tunis in the biggest protest in years against President Kais Saied, demanding political freedoms, the release of detained critics and better living conditions. Sports: Tunisian sailor Ines Nabeel Gmati led the ILCA 6 standings on the opening day of the Arab Women’s Sailing Championship in Oman.

Political Unrest: Thousands rallied in Tunis in the biggest anti-government protest in years, demanding greater freedoms, the release of detained critics and action on worsening living conditions. The march brought opposition groups, unions and civil society together against President Kais Saied. Weather: Thunderstorms and locally heavy rain are forecast Monday across northern and central regions, with some areas facing strong winds and hail. Public Health: More than 300 women received free consultations and screenings in Korba as part of Pink October activities. Economy: Tunisia’s 2027 draft budget foresees spending of nearly 68.9 billion dinars, up 8.37%, as concerns grow over the gap between spending and revenue. Football: Club Africain drew 1-1 away to TP Mazembe; the teams meet again in Radès on October 25, with a place in the CAF Champions League league phase at stake. Education: Thirty-three high school students received Chinese Ambassador Scholarships, recognising cultural exchanges and encouraging further study of Chinese.

Weather Alert: Thunderstorms and locally heavy rain are expected across parts of Tunisia tonight and Monday, with 20–40 mm possible near the coast, alongside strong winds and isolated hail. Fourteen governorates are on the forecast map. Political Tensions: Thousands marched in Tunis on Saturday in the biggest protest against President Kais Saied in years, demanding restored freedoms, the release of political prisoners and action on the economic crisis. 2027 Budget: The draft budget lifts spending 8.37% to nearly 68.9 billion dinars, while the deficit is projected to rise by more than 32%; Central Bank financing could cover much of the gap. Football: Club Africain drew 1–1 away to TP Mazembe in the Champions League playoff first leg. The return match is set for October 25 in Radès.

Protests: Thousands rallied in Tunis on Saturday in the biggest anti-government demonstration in years, calling for President Kais Saied’s resignation, political freedoms and the release of detainees. Led by the UGTT and civil society groups, the march also voiced anger over rising costs, unemployment and failing public services. Budget and Jobs: The 2027 draft budget raises spending 8.37% to nearly 68.9 billion dinars, while the deficit is projected to reach 14.6 billion; interest-free central bank credit could cover much of the gap. Unemployed graduates are also demanding jobs, with a march from central Tunisia highlighting the crisis facing degree-holders. Energy: A new study finds Tunisia could meet all its electricity needs with renewables by 2050, using solar power, hydropower and energy storage. Football: Club Africain drew 1-1 away to TP Mazembe in the first leg of their CAF Champions League tie; the return match is set for October 25 in Radès.

Protest and Freedoms: Thousands marched in Tunis on Saturday in the biggest protest against President Kais Saied in years. Led by the UGTT and civil society groups, they called for political prisoners’ release and greater freedoms, while condemning rising living costs, unemployment and failing public services. 2027 Budget: The draft state budget lifts spending 8.37% to nearly 68.9 billion dinars, while revenue grows more slowly; the projected deficit rises to 14.6 billion dinars, with interest-free Central Bank financing potentially covering much of the gap. Energy: A new study says solar power, hydropower and pumped storage could meet Tunisia’s electricity needs by 2050 and reduce reliance on imported gas. Local Services: A new afternoon bus route links Tamaghza with Tozeur, restoring service after years of limited transport; residents are seeking a year-round route. Business: Battery maker ASSAD’s revenue fell 20.2% in the first nine months, as exports slumped 43.5%, despite steady domestic sales. Culture: Jaou Tunis biennale returns from October 23 with exhibitions and performances across the capital.