In a significant boost for the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the Tunis Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIT) has unveiled the creation of the “SPEEDUP Tunisia Hub,” a dedicated innovation center designed to accelerate the growth of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups.
The initiative, established within the premises of the Practical School of Commerce (EPC), is part of the broader “Interreg NEXT MED” cross-border cooperation program. This positions the new hub within a vast Euro-Mediterranean network that connects Tunisia with seven partner nations, fostering unprecedented opportunities for cross-border collaboration.
The SPEEDUP Hub is engineered to be a one-stop-shop for business growth, offering comprehensive support that spans mentorship, specialized training, and international networking. Crucially, it will guide companies through the adoption of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria—a strategic move aimed at bolstering competitiveness and facilitating a smoother entry into demanding international supply chains.
This ambitious project is backed by a substantial grant of €315,300 (approximately 1 million Tunisian dinars), allocated by the European program. The funding will sustain operations over a 36-month timeline, running from 2025 through 2028.
While the physical center is expected to host between 15 and 25 beneficiaries for on-site, intensive support, the program is designed for scale. Organizers have emphasized that services and digital content will also be accessible remotely, significantly broadening the reach and impact of the support provided.
The launch comes at a critical juncture, as Tunisian startups and SMEs frequently grapple with structural challenges, particularly concerning access to foreign markets and scaling operations. The “SPEEDUP Tunisia Hub” aims to directly address these pain points by providing actionable tools and strategic intelligence necessary for international expansion.
The official inauguration of the hub is slated for the autumn of 2026. This strategic initiative is expected to significantly reinforce the CCIT’s role as a key driver of innovation and economic diplomacy, strengthening commercial ties between Tunisia and its Mediterranean neighbors.
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