Tunisia
50 articles
Tunisia's Ennahda condemns media curbs on political prisoners
Ennahda says prison authorities have restricted political prisoners' access to independent media as Ahmed Nejib Chebbi begins an open-ended hunger strike. The protest renews calls for prisoners' release and an end to political trials, amid wider debate over press freedom and the 2022 cybercrime decree.
Tunis Talks Connect Italian and Tunisian AI Startups with Energy Efficiency
At the third Innovation Talks in Tunis, Italian and Tunisian startup founders discussed how AI and other technologies could improve industrial monitoring and energy efficiency. The event took place as energy and innovation ties between the two countries continue to grow.
Tunisia replaces jail terms with fines for first false-news offences
A September 2026 amendment to Tunisia's cybercrime law sets fines of 10,000 to 20,000 dinars for a first covered offence. Repeat violations can still bring prison time and a much higher fine.
Tunisia seeks a bigger role in the global halal economy
Tunisia has about 40 halal-certified companies, and halal-sector export operations are estimated at TND 1.3 billion, led by food products. At a September forum, officials and businesses outlined plans to widen certification, improve logistics and financing, and build a larger regional role.
US transfers nearly $1m in security equipment to Tunisia
On 30 September, US Ambassador Bill Bazzi handed equipment to two Tunisian security directorates. The embassy says it will help train and certify officers in crisis response and specialised security skills.
Tunisia's shortages expose the limits of its recovery
Tunisia's economy grew 2.4% in the first half of the year, but shortages of staple foods and bottled water persist. Import and distribution delays, tight public finances, and recurring water and power disruptions continue to strain household supplies.
Tunisia targets phosphate output nearly triple its decade average
CPG and GCT are preparing a 2.7 billion-dinar plan to raise commercial phosphate output to 9.4 million tons by 2035. Production has been depressed for years, and transport problems, water shortages and company finances remain major constraints.
Two dead, at least six missing after boat sinks off Tunisia
Sea-Watch says its vessel Aurora rescued 28 people after a rubber dinghy sank off Tunisia and recovered two bodies, including a child. At least six people remain missing. Lower arrivals in Italy have not meant fewer reported deaths and disappearances in the Mediterranean.
Tunisia Risks Shortages With New Import Curbs
Kais Saied's order to curb imports comes as Tunisia's trade and energy deficits deepen. Without stronger domestic production, restrictions could push scarcity into informal markets instead of easing the country's dependence on imports.
Nigeria's Ambassadors Present Credentials in Three Capitals
Nigerian envoys presented credentials in Greece, Tunisia and Belgium in September 2026. Talks in Tunis covered trade, investment and cooperation across several sectors, while a proposed drone facility in Bauchi State remained an idea, not an agreed project.
Tunisia's tax burden is more than twice Africa's average
World Bank figures put Tunisia's tax revenue at 26.1% of GDP in 2025, while Lotfi Ben Aïssa estimates the tax burden at 35.5%. He says reform should ease the load without abandoning social commitments, but the two figures measure different things.
Tunisia's gender gap persists despite gains in education and health
Tunisia scored 65% and ranked 125th among 145 economies in the World Economic Forum's 2026 Global Gender Gap Index. Near-parity in education and health sits alongside persistent gaps in employment, income and political representation.
Tunisia-Algeria trade climbs 166% to $2.76 billion
Bilateral trade reached around $2.76 billion after rising 166% over five years. A September business mission looked at ways to ease border logistics and build partnerships and joint production.
Tunisia calls on UN to confront regional conflicts
Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, Tunisia's foreign minister called for an end to violence in Gaza and the West Bank and conflicts elsewhere in the region. He also urged stronger peacekeeping and better protection for civilians.
Tunisia backs UNRWA mandate and Jerusalem status
At the 81st UN General Assembly, Tunisia's foreign minister condemned Israeli measures in Jerusalem and warned that dismantling UNRWA would threaten Palestinians' right of return. He also restated Tunisia's rejection of a transit role for irregular migrants.
Tunisia's economy at risk as water crisis threatens jobs and growth
Tunisia could lose 6.4% of its economy and nearly a third of farm jobs by 2050 if water shortages are not fixed, the World Bank warns. The call for urgent action puts the spotlight on investment and reform to protect jobs and growth.
Tunisia endures record heat as power and water systems falter
Tunisia's summer of 2026 broke every heat record on the books. Temperatures ran nearly 3°C above old highs. Power and water cuts hit hard, exposing deep cracks in the country's infrastructure and piling pressure on officials.
India sends Devyani Khobragade to Tunisia with trade mission
India has picked Dr. Devyani Uttam Khobragade as its new ambassador to Tunisia. Her job: boost trade and help India carve out a bigger role in the Maghreb's shifting political scene.
Tunisia faces scrutiny over prison deaths during extreme heat
Tunisia's parliament and top rights groups are demanding answers after 23 prisoners died during a brutal heatwave. Overcrowded cells, poor ventilation, and blocked oversight have sparked warnings of a human rights crisis in the country's jails.
Azerbaijan crude oil shipments to Tunisia surge past four hundred thousand tons
Azerbaijan's crude oil exports to Tunisia jumped to 429,376.15 tons from January to August 2026, with shipment values up 2.6 times year-on-year. This trade now makes up nearly 3 percent of Azerbaijan's total oil exports.
Tunisian authorities extend detention of Gaza flotilla activists amid protests
Tunisian courts have prolonged the pre-trial detention of four Global Sumud Flotilla activists, intensifying public demonstrations and raising fears over the use of financial crime laws to suppress pro-Palestinian solidarity and independent civic action.
Tunisian protests escalate as social and political demands converge
Tunisia faces a new wave of protests as unemployed graduates and residents join forces, demanding jobs, development and dignity. The growing mobilisation signals a potential turning point as social and political grievances increasingly overlap.
Tunisia's food surplus hits new high as olive oil exports surge
Tunisia's food trade surplus reached 983.1 million dinars in the first eight months of 2026, driven by a sharp rise in olive oil exports, even as the country's overall trade deficit continued to grow.
Tunisia sets its sights on electric mobility leadership in North Africa
Tunisia is moving to redefine its role in the automotive sector by targeting electric mobility and innovation, seeking to offer Europe a sustainable alternative to China and showcase its manufacturing capabilities beyond traditional components.
Regional powers condemn Houthi attacks as Saudi security becomes a priority
The European Union, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Oman, and Turkey have all condemned recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, voicing support for the Kingdom's security and warning of risks to regional stability and maritime trade.
Tunisia and Arab Interior Ministers condemn Houthi drone attacks on Saudi Arabia
Tunisia and the Council of Arab Interior Ministers have condemned recent Houthi drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, including an attempted strike on Mecca. Their statements express support for Riyadh and concern for the security of Islamic holy sites.
Tunisia faces blackout and water crisis as state capacity unravels
Tunisia's summer was defined by rolling blackouts and water shortages, exposing the government's inability to maintain essential services amid record heat, mounting debt, and a population losing faith in President Kais Saied's leadership.
Zenith Energy disputes Tunisia arbitration, citing tribunal conflict
Zenith Energy is taking its $130 million dispute with Tunisia to the European Court of Human Rights, alleging the arbitration process was compromised by undisclosed ties between the tribunal president and Tunisia's legal counsel.
Tunisia opens social housing pipeline to private developers
Tunisia is moving to bring private real estate developers into its social housing programmes, aiming to diversify supply for low- and middle-income households and accelerate delivery through greener construction and reduced bureaucracy.
Tunisia targets drug trafficking networks with overhaul of narcotics law
Tunisia is preparing a sweeping revision of its 1992 narcotics law to counter the rapid evolution of drug trafficking networks, as seizures of cocaine and synthetic tablets reach record highs and cross-border smuggling routes adapt to new technologies.
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