In a powerful display of unity and ambition, the Association of Tunisians from Grandes Écoles (ATUGE), in collaboration with the World Alliance of Tunisian Talents (WATT), successfully hosted the second edition of the Tunisia Global Forum (TGF) — the flagship event of Diaspora Month. This year’s edition broke participation records, drawing over 2,500 attendees, including 600 top-tier business leaders, executives, and academics from 33 countries, effectively representing 99% of the Tunisian diaspora. More than 150 companies, startups, and institutions were also in attendance.
Held under the theme “Connecting our talents, Connecting to the future,” the forum celebrated the vital role of Tunisian talent in shaping the nation’s future. The event was highlighted by the presence of Fethi Nouri, Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia, and featured keynote speeches by influential figures such as Hazem Ben Gacem of BlueFive Capital and Karim Beguir, CEO of InstaDeep.
Over 100 speakers participated across six major panels and 35+ talks, addressing key topics including investment, regional attractiveness, and strategies to facilitate the return of skilled diaspora members. A highlight was the unveiling of a landmark study on diaspora return dynamics, funded by the THAMM program of France’s OFII. The forum also spotlighted Tunisia’s vibrant ecosystem, with contributions from major innovation and development actors such as Smart Capital, Flat6Labs, and international organizations including GIZ, SwissContact, and IOM.
Taking the Forum Beyond the Capital: The Diaspora Regional Networking Tour
The momentum of the Tunisia Global Forum is not confined to Tunis. Through the Diaspora Regional Networking (DRN) initiative, spearheaded by ATUGE and WATT, the conversation is extending across the country. The DRN tour brings diaspora leaders face-to-face with local innovators, entrepreneurs, and community actors — aiming to catalyze regional development and embed diaspora expertise directly within Tunisia’s local ecosystems.
DRN Summer 2025 Regional Tour Schedule:
- Monday, July 28 – Sfax (5:00 PM, Hotel Concorde)
- Friday, August 1 – Siliana (10:00 AM, Siliana Governorate)
- Tuesday, August 5 – Hammamet (6:30 PM, Hammamet Valley)
- Thursday, August 7 – Sousse (10:00 AM, Novation City)
- Friday, August 8 – Le Kef (10:00 AM, Elife Center)
- Tuesday, August 12 – Djerba (6:30 PM, Elife Center)
- Thursday, August 14 – Béja (10:00 AM, Elife Center)
These regional forums offer a unique opportunity for local entrepreneurs, project leaders, and youth to network with global Tunisian talent, forge strategic partnerships, and become active players in their region’s growth. ATUGE and its partners are calling on all economic and civic stakeholders to join the initiative and co-create a prosperous, inclusive future for Tunisia.
TunisianMonitorOnline (ATUGE)
