Tunisia is seeking to tap into an estimated \$518 million in untapped export opportunities with sub-Saharan Africa, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen its role in regional value chains and deepen economic ties across the continent.
The country’s Minister of Trade and Export Development, Samir Abid, emphasized that this effort aligns with Tunisia’s long-term vision to expand South-South cooperation and industrial integration under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), of which Tunisia has been a member since 2018.
By 2024, Tunisia’s trade volume with sub-Saharan African nations reached \$550 million, with exports accounting for \$425 million. This marks an average annual growth of 9.7 percent over the past decade. Minister Abid called for building on this momentum through targeted partnerships and market diversification initiatives.
The announcement was made during a high-level business forum organized by CEPEX (Tunisian Export Promotion Center), which brought together over 150 key stakeholders, including 85 Tunisian companies, representatives from 13 African countries, five African trade promotion bodies, chambers of commerce, diplomatic missions, and international donors.
The event highlighted Tunisia’s commitment to expanding its economic footprint in Africa and unlocking new trade and investment opportunities across the continent.