Tunisia Defies Debt Expectations, Pays Off All 2025 External Loans Three Months Early
The Tunisian authorities revealed Tuesday the country has surpassed its scheduled external debt repayments for 2025 by a striking 125%, settling approximately 8.5 billion dinars ($2.8 billion) by the end of September.
This performance, which far exceeds the targets set in the national Finance Law, means Tunisia has paid off all its external loans for the current year with a full quarter to spare. The achievement underscores a comfortable level of state savings and marks a pronounced general decline in external borrowing.
Officials attributed this financial milestone to a steadfast policy of economic self-reliance. According to the announcement, Tunisia has successfully navigated the recent challenges of meeting its external financing needs without turning to international financial institutions for bailout packages.
The ability to fully service its debt has been bolstered by robust foreign currency reserves. These reserves have been fortified by the external sector, with strong revenues from a resurgent tourism industry, steady remittances from the Tunisian diaspora, and reliable olive oil exports providing a solid foundation.
The positive shift in Tunisia’s debt structure is confirmed by external analysis. A recent regional economic outlook report from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) noted that the share of external debt in Tunisia’s total public debt has seen a dramatic decline—falling from 70 percent in 2019 to 50 percent in 2024. This indicates a remarkable turnaround in the nation’s fiscal strategy and its reduced dependence on foreign lenders.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Editorial Staff)
