AGP Executive Report

Press Freedom: Journalist Zied el-Heni is due in a Tunis court today on terrorism-related charges linked to his reporting; Reporters Without Borders says the case threatens the protection of journalistic sources. He faces up to 20 years in prison. 2027 Budget: The draft state budget proposes spending of 68.895 billion dinars, up 8.37%, against 54.280 billion in revenue. It also allows the state to take on debts owed by several public entities, including the Tunisian Sugar Company, and support a capital increase. Tourism: Jet2 is adding 32,000 seats to its Tunisia programme, extending flights into late 2027 and early 2028 after strong demand. Heritage: A joint Chinese-Tunisian excavation at Ben Arous is documenting remains spanning Punic, Roman and later periods, with Tunisian researchers helping shape the interpretation. Climate and Finance: Tunisia remains off the EU’s tax blacklist, while a new €150,000 AFD–Sahara and Sahel Observatory project will document farming adaptations to drought and water scarcity across North Africa.

Black Sea Shipping: Eight crew members are missing after a tanker sailing from Tunisia to Romania caught fire off the Romanian coast. The cause is under investigation amid a series of drone attacks on vessels in the region. 2027 Budget: Tunisia’s draft state budget projects 68.895 billion dinars in spending against 54.280 billion in revenue, a gap of 14.615 billion dinars. Parliament is set to consider the timetable for debate. Tourism: Jet2 has added more than 32,000 seats to its Tunisia programme, extending flights into winter 2027 and early 2028 after strong demand. Economic Outlook: The Central Bank held its key rate at 7%, while warning of rising inflation, pressure on foreign reserves and a widening current-account deficit. Fiscal Cooperation: Tunisia remains off the EU’s tax blacklist, recognised for meeting standards on transparency and cooperation. Climate Adaptation: AFD and the Sahara and Sahel Observatory launched a €150,000 project to document farming and resource-management practices that can help North African communities cope with drought and water scarcity.

Renewable Energy: Tunisia’s STEG has opened tenders for a 50 MW solar plant with battery storage in Tataouine and 600 MWh of batteries across ten sites, aiming to strengthen the power grid. Regional Ties: Tunisian and Libyan officials discussed electricity-grid links, including a possible three-country connection with Algeria, at energy talks in Riyadh. Investment: Foreign direct investment rose 30.1% in 2025 to TND 3.51 billion, creating 14,085 jobs outside the energy sector; the economy minister cautioned that inflows alone do not guarantee broad gains. Economic Outlook: The IMF lifted its growth forecast to 2.4% for 2026 and 2% for 2027, but expects inflation and the current-account deficit to rise next year. Press Freedom: Tunisian journalists say prosecution risks are growing: about 20 face charges over their work or posts, and four are imprisoned, according to the journalists’ union. 2027 Budget: President Kais Saied says the draft finance bill should promote social justice and ease the tax burden.

Press Freedom: Tunisian journalists say they fear renewed imprisonment as independent media face mounting pressure. About 20 journalists face criminal charges and four are in prison, the journalists’ union says; Tunisia has fallen to 137th in the global press freedom index. Economic Outlook: The IMF raised its growth forecast to 2.4% for 2026 and 2% for 2027, but expects inflation and the current-account deficit to rise next year. President Kaïs Saïed says the 2027 Finance Bill should advance social justice and ease the tax burden. Energy: STEG is seeking bids for a 50-megawatt solar project in Tataouine and 600 MWh of battery storage across ten sites, aiming to support renewables and grid flexibility. Household Incomes: Tourism receipts and diaspora remittances reached a combined 13.85 billion dinars by October 10, up from a year earlier. Agriculture: The Solidarity Bank has set aside 20 million dinars in seasonal loans for small date farmers in four southern governorates.

Economic Outlook: The IMF raised Tunisia’s growth forecasts to 2.4% for 2026 and 2% for 2027, up from 2.1% and 1.6%. Olive Oil Exports: Revenue topped TND 4 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 37.4% year on year; much of Tunisia’s oil is still exported in bulk, limiting domestic value added. Investment: Tunisia and South Korea are exploring opportunities in automotive components, while French pharmaceutical firm SGH Medical Pharma has opened its first factory outside France in Tunisia. Digital Rights: A regional report that includes Tunisia warns that digital identity and payment systems can exclude vulnerable people without stronger safeguards. Trade and Finance: Tunisia’s current account deficit reached 2.5% of GDP at the end of August, while the Central Bank kept its key rate at 7%.

Growth Outlook: The IMF raised Tunisia’s growth forecasts to 2.4% for 2026 and 2% for 2027, up from 2.1% and 1.6%. Investment: Tunisia and South Korea explored partnerships in automotive components, while Tunisia and Indonesia agreed to deepen cooperation on medicine controls, food safety and pharmaceutical production. Economic Pressures: Tunisia’s current-account deficit reached 2.5% of GDP by August, and the dinar fell past three to the dollar for the first time since May 2025; the Central Bank kept its key rate at 7%. Science and Industry: Tunisia ranked first globally for the share of graduates in science and engineering, at 37.93%. Women account for about 70% of university graduates and 69% of PhD holders.

Economic Pressures: Tunisia’s inflation rose to 5.6% in September as the dinar slipped past 3 per dollar for the first time since May 2025. The Central Bank kept its key rate at 7%, while the current-account deficit reached 2.5% of GDP by the end of August. Investment: Tunisia and South Korea explored partnerships in automotive components, with officials meeting a delegation of manufacturers and research organizations. Health and Food Safety: Tunisia and Indonesia agreed to deepen cooperation on medicine control and food safety, including work toward a deal on telemedicine, vaccines and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Separately, Tunisia rejected 134 tonnes of food imports that failed to meet standards. Science and Digital Development: Tunisia ranked first globally for the share of science and engineering graduates, at 37.93%, and scored 80.1 in the 2026 ICT Development Index.

Investment: Tunisia and South Korea opened talks on automotive-components investment, with officials and industry representatives seeking to deepen industrial ties. Economic Pressures: Inflation reached 5.6% in September, the dinar slipped past three to the dollar and the Central Bank held its key rate at 7%; the current-account deficit stood at 2.5% of GDP at end-August. Women in Science: Women make up about 70% of university graduates and 69% of PhD holders, according to Tunisia’s family minister. Separately, Tunisia ranked first in the reported share of science and engineering graduates, at 37.93%. Rights and Politics: Human Rights Watch warned that electricity and water shortages threaten basic rights. A court also dismissed a case seeking to dissolve the publisher of investigative outlet Inkyfada, while blogger Hajer Awadi was sentenced to 26 months over a social media post. Jobs and Food Safety: The Trade Ministry will recruit 100 economic-control officers, with applications closing November 9. Food-safety authorities reported more than 34,000 inspections and the seizure and destruction of 1,120 tonnes of food deemed unfit for consumption.

Jobs and Investment: Tunisia’s Trade Ministry will recruit 100 economic-control officers across the country, with applications open until November 9. French group SGH Medical Pharma has opened its first factory outside France in Mégrine; the medical-device plant employs about 100 people. Tourism and Housing: El Hamma’s thermal baths draw nearly three million visitors a year, while officials plan new treatment facilities. A rent-to-own housing project is also planned for Fouchana to help low- and middle-income households buy homes. Economic Pressures: Inflation rose to 5.6% in September and the dinar fell below $1 for the first time since May 2025, while the Central Bank held its key rate at 7%. Tunisia’s current-account deficit reached 2.5% of GDP by August. Rights and Services: Human Rights Watch says summer electricity and water shortages endangered lives and criticizes the government’s response. Separately, a Tunisian court sentenced blogger Hajer Awadi to 26 months over a social media post, while another court dismissed a case seeking to dissolve the publisher of investigative outlet Inkyfada.

Public-sector Jobs: Tunisia’s Trade Ministry will recruit 100 economic control officers, with competitive exams starting Dec. 10; applications closed Nov. 9. Tourism and Investment: El Hamma’s thermal baths draw nearly 3 million visitors annually. Officials are advancing plans for a spa city in El Khbayet, a treatment centre in Métouia and the revival of Aïn Zarat. Utilities and Rights: Human Rights Watch says summer power and water cuts endangered lives, disrupted hospitals and pumping stations, and drew a crackdown on protests. Industry: French group SGH Medical Pharma has opened its first factory outside France in Mégrine, employing about 100 people to make medical and pharmaceutical products. Economy: September inflation rose to 5.6%, while the Central Bank held its key rate at 7%; the current-account deficit reached 2.5% of GDP by August. Housing and Freedoms: The state housing company SNIT has been assigned a rent-to-own project in Fouchana. Separately, blogger Hajer Awadi was sentenced to 26 months over a social media post.

Utilities and Rights: Human Rights Watch says summer electricity and water shortages endangered lives, disrupted hospital care and drew protests; it faults the government for failing to ensure supplies and provide clear information. Industry and Jobs: French group SGH Medical Pharma has opened its first factory outside France in Mégrine. The plant makes medical plastics and employs about 100 people. Housing: State developer SNIT will build a rent-to-own project in Fouchana for low- and middle-income households. Economic Pressures: Inflation reached 5.6% in September, while the dinar slipped past three to the dollar for the first time since May 2025. The Central Bank held its key rate at 7%, and the current-account deficit reached 2.5% of GDP by end-August. Media Freedom: A Tunis court dismissed a bid to dissolve Al Khatt, publisher of independent outlet Inkyfada, though press-freedom groups warn wider pressure on journalists continues. Business: Tunisian entrepreneur Abdelmalek Ghannam received a 2026 UN-Habitat award for turning quarry waste into affordable, climate-resilient building materials.

Utilities and Rights: Human Rights Watch says Tunisia’s summer power and water shortages endangered lives, disrupting hospitals and water pumps. It urged authorities to address the failures and provide clear information. Industry: French group SGH Medical Pharma has opened its first factory outside France in Mégrine. The medical-plastics plant employs about 100 people. Housing: The government assigned public developer SNIT to build a rent-to-own housing project in Fouchana for low- and middle-income households. Economy: Tunisia’s current-account deficit widened to 2.5% of GDP by August, as energy imports climbed 28% year on year. September inflation reached 5.6%, while the Central Bank kept its key rate at 7%. Press Freedom: A Tunis court dismissed a case seeking to dissolve Al Khatt, the publisher of investigative outlet Inkyfada, in a decision welcomed by press-freedom advocates. Investment: Italian olive-oil technology group Pieralisi is considering a Tunisia-based Africa innovation and training centre. Spanish hotel group Meliá also plans five more Tunisian hotels by 2030.

Economic Pressure: Tunisia’s central bank held its key rate at 7% as September inflation rose to 5.6%. The current-account deficit reached TND 4.694 billion, or 2.5% of GDP, by August, as energy imports climbed 28% year on year. The dinar also slipped past 3 to the dollar for the first time since May 2025. Press Freedom: A Tunis court dismissed a case seeking to dissolve Al Khatt, publisher of independent outlet Inkyfada. Press freedom advocates welcomed the ruling but warned that concerns over media restrictions and journalist detentions remain. Major Projects: The government reviewed progress on six strategic projects, including El Menzah stadium’s reconstruction, Tunis-Carthage airport’s expansion and the planned deep-water port at Enfidha; their progress varies, with construction still ahead for some. Investment and Tourism: Italian group Pieralisi is considering an Africa innovation and training centre in Tunisia, while Spain’s Meliá plans five more hotels and aims for 3,000 rooms in the country by 2030.

Strategic Projects: A government commission reviewed six major projects, including the rebuilding of El Menzah Olympic Stadium and expansion of Tunis-Carthage Airport and Enfidha port. They remain at different stages, with no comparable completion figures publicly available. Rugby: Tunisia edged Kenya’s Shibli 17–15 at Safari Sevens with a last-minute try. Olympic Qualifying: Tunisia’s women lost 1–0 at home to Senegal in the LA 2028 qualifiers; the return leg is October 13. Economic Pressures: The dinar has fallen past three to the US dollar for the first time since May 2025. September inflation reached 5.6%, while the public-sector wage bill rose 4.9% to TND 12.2 billion in the first half of the year. The Central Bank kept its key rate at 7%. Pharmaceuticals: From January 2027, drug-authorization applications must use the e-CTD digital system. The transition could cost manufacturers about TND 30,000 per firm, and 25 have already invested in the required tools.

Weather Alert: Tunisia’s meteorological institute forecast thunderstorms, strong winds and up to 70 mm of rain in some areas on Friday, alongside a sharp temperature drop. Public Finances: The public-sector wage bill rose 4.9% to TND 12.2 billion in the first half of 2026, while lawmakers are questioning the government’s 2027 budget assumptions, including its forecast Brent price of $75–$80 a barrel. Economy: The dinar slipped past 3 to the dollar for the first time since May 2025, and September inflation reached 5.6%, led by food prices. The Central Bank held its key rate at 7% on October 7. Energy: Tunisia and Algeria will study a proposed 1.4-gigawatt gas-fired power plant to strengthen Tunisia’s electricity supply. Industry: Pharmaceutical companies face a January 2027 deadline to adopt electronic drug-submission systems, with initial setup costs estimated at TND 30,000.

Monetary Policy: Tunisia’s central bank kept its key rate at 7% on Oct. 7, warning that inflation risks remain tilted upward. Prices & Currency: Inflation reached 5.6% in September, while the dinar fell past three to the U.S. dollar for the first time since May 2025. Climate & Water: Tunisia says it needs nearly $55 billion in climate investment by 2035. Researcher Hussein Rhili also urged a rethink of water-intensive farming, which uses 77% of the country’s annual water supply. Research & Innovation: Tunisian researcher Dhikra Mahmoud won a 2026 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science France Award for her cybersecurity work; Tunisia also ranked among Africa’s innovation leaders. Energy Links: Tunisia joined Algeria, Italy, Austria and Germany in a declaration to advance a proposed €13 billion green-hydrogen corridor linking North Africa to Europe.