The European Union has unveiled a major four-year program based in Tunisia. The initiative, titled “Digital Commerce and E-commerce in the MENA Region,” will run from 2025 to 2029 with a core mission: to accelerate Tunisia’s digital transformation and pry open European markets for its small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Funded jointly by the EU and Germany, the program will be implemented on the ground by GIZ Tunisia and the UN’s International Trade Centre (ITC). Officials frame it as a strategic investment in economic partnership and regional integration, aiming to generate new opportunities, particularly for young entrepreneurs.
“This program is a cornerstone of our digital partnership with Tunisia,” said an EU delegate at the launch. “By building a trusted and efficient digital trade environment, we are laying the groundwork for sustainable growth and stronger commercial ties.”
The project tackles several foundational hurdles currently facing cross-border e-commerce. Key action points include strengthening Tunisia’s national e-commerce strategy and, crucially, harmonizing its legal frameworks with international standards. This legal alignment is seen as essential for building trust and simplifying transactions.
Furthermore, the initiative will focus on developing practical cross-border tools, such as electronic payment systems and electronic signatures, while also streamlining often-complex customs and logistics procedures. The goal is to slash the delays and costs associated with moving goods.
A central pillar of the program is direct support for Tunisian SMEs. Capacity building, competitiveness training for digital platforms, and facilitated access to regional and European markets are all on the agenda. The EU is Tunisia’s largest trading partner, and this effort is designed to help smaller businesses claim a larger share of that trade.
The launch signals a deepening of privileged cooperation between Brussels and Tunis, with both sides betting on the digital economy to future-proof their trade relationship. The program positions Tunisia as a potential hub for digital commerce in the region, anticipating the continued global shift toward online trade.
TunisianMonitorOnline (BRC)
