The Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) announced a significant cut to its main interest rate on Tuesday. The bank’s Executive Board lowered the key rate by 50 basis points to 7%, effective January 7, 2026. The decision, detailed in an official statement, aligns with a broader monetary easing strategy. The rates for the 24-hour lending and deposit facilities will be adjusted to 8% and 6%, respectively. The Board also reduced the minimum interest rate on savings to 6%. The rate cut comes against a backdrop of cooling economic growth. Data…
Author: BGMN
Tunisia’s Economy Shows Measurable Recovery Amid Enduring Challenges
After years of economic strain, Tunisia’s economy registered a clear, if fragile, recovery in 2025, with growth accelerating and key indicators like inflation and unemployment retreating, according to official data and international assessments. Tunisia posted a growth rate of 2.4% for the first nine months of the year, with full-year projections reaching approximately 2.6%—a significant increase from 1.4% in 2024. This gradual stabilization follows a prolonged slump exacerbated by the pandemic, political shifts, and tight global financial conditions. The rebound was driven by standout performances in several core sectors. A…
Saudi-Tunisian Ties Deepen with Strategic Pacts as Bilateral Trade Soars 38%
A major bilateral summit concluded with a significant push towards economic integration, as Saudi Arabia and Tunisia sealed five new agreements across key sectors following the 12th session of their Joint Committee. The newly signed accords target enhanced cooperation in customs administration, mining, postal services, and media. Specifically, they include a customs cooperation and mutual assistance agreement, memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on mineral resources and postal services, a broadcasting cooperation MoU, and an executive program for news exchange between the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP). The…
Tunisia’s External Debt Pressure Eases as Key Forex Earnings Rise, Central Bank Data Shows
Tunisia’s external finances showed signs of resilience in late 2025, with debt servicing costs falling significantly and key sources of foreign currency recording growth, according to the latest Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) indicators published Friday. The data, covering the period up to December 20, reveals a 13.8% year-on-year drop in cumulative external debt service, which fell to 12 billion dinars from 14 billion dinars in 2024. The decline points to a relative easing of one major constraint on the country’s external accounts. The improvement was bolstered by stronger inflows…
Libya, Tunisia Forge New Educational Partnership Focused on AI and Training
Senior education officials from Libya and Tunisia have taken concrete steps toward a formal collaboration agreement aimed at modernizing training programs and integrating artificial intelligence into their educational systems. The push for a bilateral pact was the central focus of a working visit to Tunisia by a high-level Libyan delegation from the Ministry of Education of the Government of National Unity. The delegation was headed by Mohammed Ghouma, Director of the General Center for Training and Educational Development. According to a ministry statement published on Sunday, the proposed agreement is…
Saudi, Tunisian Ministers Forge Path for Deeper Economic Ties
Saudi Arabia and Tunisia moved to strengthen their economic partnership during high-level talks on Sunday, focusing on strategic sectors and removing barriers to trade and investment. The meeting between Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Alkhorayef and visiting Tunisian Minister of Economy and Planning Samir Abdelhafidh centered on expanding joint cooperation. Both sides identified key industries with potential for significant growth, though specific sectors were not immediately detailed. A major focus of the discussions was tackling practical challenges faced by exporters and investors between the two…
Tunisia 2025: A Tapestry of Resilience and Strategic Growth
As 2026 approaches, Tunisia finds itself at a pivotal juncture. Emerging from a period of global economic headwinds and domestic challenges, the nation is scripting a narrative of cautious yet discernible recovery. This year is not merely about statistical rebounds; it is defined by a strategic reorientation of key sectors that promise to weave a stronger, more inclusive economic and social fabric. The most visible success story is, undoubtedly, tourism. Surpassing the symbolic threshold of 11 million visitors and seeing revenues climb to nearly 7.9 billion dinars, the sector has…
Tunisia’s Tourism Sector Hits Record High, Surpassing 11 Million Visitors in 2025
Tunisia’s tourism industry has officially moved beyond post-pandemic recovery into a phase of robust growth, according to year-end figures released by the Central Bank. With revenue climbing to 7.886 billion dinars as of December 22, the sector is closing 2025 on a strong note, signaling a return to pre-crisis vitality. The data reveals a dual achievement: a 6.3% increase in tourism revenue compared to the same period in 2024, coupled with a milestone in visitor numbers. More than 11 million tourists arrived in Tunisia by December 22, surpassing the official…
Tunisia’s Investment Boom: 2025 Emerges as Pivotal Year for FDI and Economic Momentum
Tunisia’s economic landscape is witnessing a significant inflection point in 2025, with data revealing a robust and accelerating recovery in investment, outpacing the previous year’s performance. Cross-referenced figures from the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA-Tunisia) and the Tunisia Investment Authority (TIA) paint a picture of renewed foreign confidence and ambitious domestic project pipelines. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows, a critical gauge of international trust, show sustained double-digit growth throughout the year. FIPA data indicates FDI reached 727.2 million dinars (MDT) in Q1 2025, a 25.6% year-on-year increase. This momentum accelerated,…
Tunisia-Italy Project Unleashes “Forgotten” Roman Wall Paintings, Challenging Mosaic-Centric History
A pioneering archaeological cooperation between Italy and Tunisia is bringing to light a neglected chapter of Roman history in North Africa: vibrant wall paintings that once adorned homes and public buildings across the region. While world-famous mosaics have long defined the visual legacy of Roman Tunisia, a joint project is now rescuing hundreds of painted fragments from museum storerooms, revealing an equally rich culture of frescoes. In an exclusive interview, Hejer Krimi, Director of Museums at Tunisia’s Ministry of Cultural Affairs, expressed strong appreciation for the project, carried out by…