AGP Executive Report

Renewable Energy: A new national study finds Tunisia could meet all its electricity needs with solar, hydropower and pumped-storage systems by 2050, reducing reliance on imported gas. Solar Incentives: Draft 2027 budget measures would cut customs duties on solar equipment to 10% and exempt imported storage batteries from several taxes; the solar industry’s chamber chief is urging a full duty exemption. Homegrown Engineering: President Kaïs Saïed inaugurated a Tunisian-built naval patrol vessel in Bizerte, crediting local engineers and skilled workers. Research and Startups: A China–Tunisia archaeology project is combining digital tools with fieldwork at the Ben Arous Forest site, while Italy used the BIGTECH Africa event in Tunis to promote partnerships helping Tunisian startups reach European markets.

Tech Policy: Tunisia’s draft 2027 Finance Bill proposes cutting smartphone customs duties to 10% and removing them on electronic payment terminals, while offering tax exemptions for electricity-storage batteries and lower duties on solar equipment. The measures still need parliamentary approval. Startup Links: At BIGTECH Africa in Tunis, Italy pitched itself as a launchpad for Tunisian startups seeking investors and access to European markets. Local Engineering: President Kaïs Saïed inaugurated a Tunisian-built naval patrol vessel, produced by local engineers and workers. Digital Heritage: A China–Tunisia archaeology project at Ben Arous is combining digital tools and fieldwork to study and preserve remains spanning Punic, Roman and later periods. Science Education: Tunisia was reported to lead globally in the share of science and engineering graduates; women make up 70% of university graduates and 69% of PhD holders.

Archaeology: A joint Tunisian-Chinese team is using digital tools and shared fieldwork to document the Ben Arous Forest site, where remains span Punic, Roman and later periods. Tunisian researchers are helping shape how the findings are interpreted. Cybersecurity: Tunisian expert Bassam Lamouchi urged businesses to update software, run security audits and train staff, warning that no IT system is immune to attack. Clean Energy: STEG is seeking bids for a 50 MW solar plant with battery storage in Tataouine, combining generation with a grid connection. Digital Commerce: A survey of 5,077 people found 36.9% of Tunisian internet users shop online; social media accounts for 84.5% of reported online purchases. Science and Industry: Tunisia ranks first globally for its share of science and engineering graduates, while new pharmaceutical and aerospace investments point to continued expansion of local manufacturing.

Energy Cooperation: Tunisia’s acting industry and energy minister, Salah Zouari, met Saudi officials to discuss renewable energy and efficiency. Separately, STEG is seeking bids for a 50 MW solar plant with battery storage in Tataouine. Cybersecurity: Tunisian expert Bassam Lamouchi urged businesses to update software, run security audits and train staff as cyber risks grow. Digital Commerce: A survey of 5,077 people found that 36.9% of Tunisian internet users shop online; social media is the leading channel, used by 84.5% of online shoppers. Science and Industry: Women make up 70% of Tunisia’s university graduates and 69% of PhD holders, while SGH Medical Pharma has opened its first factory outside France in Tunisia and Pursuit Aerospace plans to expand its Tunisian plant.

Clean Energy: STEG is seeking bids for a 50 MW solar plant in Tataouine paired with a 10 MW/20 MWh battery system, with some project costs expected to draw on EBRD-administered funding. Cybersecurity: Expert Bassam Lamouchi warned Tunisian businesses that no IT system is immune to attack, urging regular software updates, security audits and staff training after hackers disrupted supermarket refrigeration in France. Digital Rights: A new report covering Tunisia and 10 other African countries warns that digital identity, payment and data-sharing systems can exclude vulnerable people without stronger safeguards. High-Tech Industry: Tunisia is exploring automotive-components investment with a South Korean delegation, while recent factory and plant expansion plans by SGH Medical Pharma and Pursuit Aerospace point to growth in local manufacturing.

Cybersecurity: Tunisian expert Bassam Lamouchi urged businesses to update software, run security audits and train staff after a cyberattack disrupted supermarket refrigeration in France. A retail-sector representative said Tunisian chains have taken precautions. Digital Rights: A new report covering Tunisia and 10 other African countries warns that digital ID, payment and data-sharing systems can exclude people when records are inaccurate or access is limited. It calls for stronger safeguards. Science and Skills: Tunisia leads a global ranking for the share of graduates in science and engineering, at 37.93%. Women account for 69% of the country’s PhD holders, officials said at a Tunis meeting on women’s leadership in nuclear science and technology. Digital Access: Tunisia scored 80.1 in the 2026 ICT Development Index, just ahead of Iraq, according to figures attributed to the ITU. Industry: Tunisia and South Korea discussed investment in automotive components, while Spanish engineering group ARSAM plans to expand its Tunisian operations.

Digital Governance: A new report covering Tunisia and 10 other African countries warns that digital identity, payment and data-sharing systems can exclude people when records are inaccurate or access is limited, and calls for stronger rights protections. Cybersecurity: After a cyberattack hit supermarket refrigeration systems in France, Tunisia’s large retailers say they have taken precautions; the incident highlights risks in remotely controlled equipment. Women in Science: Tunis hosted an international meeting on women’s leadership in nuclear science and technology. Tunisia’s family minister said women make up 69% of PhD holders and 56.3% of engineering students. Science Education: Tunisia leads a reported global ranking for the share of graduates in science and engineering, at 37.93%. Tech Industry: Tunisia and South Korea explored investment in automotive components, while Orange Tunisie and Focus announced a partnership to support cloud adoption.

Digital Connectivity: Tunisia scored 80.1 in the 2026 ICT Development Index, above the 79-point global average; the index measures internet access, network coverage, usage and affordability. Science Education: Tunisia reportedly leads the world in the share of graduates in science and engineering, at 37.93%. Women make up about 70% of university graduates and 69% of PhD holders, figures highlighted at a Tunis meeting on women’s leadership in nuclear science and technology. Industrial Technology: US aerospace firm Pursuit Aerospace is expanding its Tunis plant by 40% and expects the site to employ more than 1,000 people by the second half of 2027. Separately, French group SGH Medical Pharma has opened its first factory outside France in Mégrine, making plastic medical devices and consumables. Research Recognition: A Tunisian researcher has won the 2026 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science France Award.

Digital Connectivity: Tunisia scored 80.1 in the 2026 ICT Development Index, narrowly ahead of Egypt’s 79.6, according to figures cited in a report on Iraq’s ranking. Science and Skills: Tunisia leads the reported global ranking for science and engineering graduates, at 37.93%. At a Tunis meeting on women’s leadership in nuclear science, officials said women make up about 69% of the country’s PhD holders and 56.3% of engineering students. Industrial Technology: US aerospace supplier Pursuit Aerospace plans to expand its Tunis plant by 40%, with the site expected to employ more than 1,000 people after construction finishes in 2027. Separately, French group SGH Medical Pharma has opened its first factory outside France in Mégrine, making medical and pharmaceutical plastic products and employing about 100 people. Climate and Water: Tunisian researcher Houcine Rhili forecasts a warmer, rainier autumn and winter, and questioned whether the country is ready to capture expected rainfall and limit water losses.

STEM Talent: Tunisia leads the reported global ranking for science and engineering graduates, with 37.93% of higher-education graduates in those fields. At a Tunis meeting on women’s leadership in nuclear science, officials said women make up about 70% of university graduates and 69% of PhD holders. Industrial Partnerships: Tunisia and South Korea explored investment in automotive components, with Korean manufacturers and technology and research organizations joining talks. High-Tech Manufacturing: US aerospace firm Pursuit plans to expand its Tunis plant by 40%, targeting more than 1,000 jobs by late 2027. French group SGH Medical Pharma has also opened its first factory outside France in Mégrine, making medical and pharmaceutical plastic products. Research and Innovation: Italian olive-oil technology group Pieralisi is considering a Tunisia-based Africa innovation center focused on training, technology transfer and regional markets.

Industrial Innovation: Italian olive-oil technology group Pieralisi is considering a Tunisia-based Africa innovation centre focused on training, skills transfer and adapting its equipment to regional markets. Aerospace: Pursuit Aerospace plans to expand its Tunis plant by 40%; the site is expected to exceed 1,000 jobs when the project is completed in 2027. Energy: Tunisia and Algeria will study a 1.4-gigawatt gas-fired power plant in Tunisia, as the country works to strengthen its electricity supply. Medical Manufacturing: French group SGH Medical Pharma has opened its first factory outside France in Mégrine. The medical-device plant employs about 100 people. Research and Digital Services: A Tunisian researcher has won the 2026 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science France Award, while Orange Tunisie and Focus have partnered to expand local cloud services.

Industrial Technology: Italian olive-oil equipment maker Pieralisi is considering an Africa Innovation Center in Tunisia focused on training, skills and adapting its technology for regional markets. Energy: Tunisia and Algeria will study a proposed 1.4 GW gas-fired power plant, as Tunisia works to strengthen electricity supply. Aerospace: Pursuit Aerospace plans to expand its Tunis plant by 40%; the new facility is expected to lift employment to more than 1,000 by the second half of 2027. Medical Manufacturing: French group SGH Medical Pharma has opened its first factory outside France in Mégrine, producing plastic medical devices and consumables and employing about 100 people. Cloud Services: Orange Tunisie and Focus have partnered to expand local cloud services.

Aerospace Expansion: Pursuit Aerospace is expanding its Tunis plant by 40%, adding a third building and more production capacity. The company expects the site to employ over 1,000 people when work is complete in 2027. Medical Manufacturing: France’s SGH Medical Pharma has opened its first factory outside France in Mégrine. The 3,000-square-metre facility makes plastic medical devices and consumables and employs around 100 people. Agri-Tech: Italian group Pieralisi is considering a Tunisia-based Africa innovation centre focused on olive-oil processing technology, training and skills transfer. Digital Services: Orange Tunisie and local firm Focus have partnered to expand cloud services in Tunisia. Science Recognition: A Tunisian researcher has won the 2026 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science France Award. Energy: Tunisia and Algeria are studying a planned 1.4-gigawatt combined-cycle power plant in Tunisia; investment costs have not yet been set.

Medical Manufacturing: France’s SGH Medical Pharma has opened its first factory outside France in Mégrine. The 3,000-square-metre plant makes medical and pharmaceutical plastics and employs about 100 people. Aerospace: Pursuit Aerospace is expanding its Tunis facility by 40%, adding a third building and more production capacity. The site is expected to employ more than 1,000 people by late 2027. Research: Tunisian engineer Dhikra Mahmoud won the 2026 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science France Award for her cybersecurity research. Industrial Innovation: Italian olive-oil technology group Pieralisi is considering a Tunisia-based Africa innovation center focused on training, technology transfer and adapting its products to regional markets. Innovation Rankings: Tunisia is among Africa’s leading countries in WIPO’s 2026 Global Innovation Index, ranking first worldwide for science and engineering graduates and 12th for scientific publications.

Industrial Innovation: Italian olive-oil technology group Pieralisi is considering an Africa Excellence & Innovation Center in Tunisia, focused on training, technology transfer and adapting its equipment for African markets. Cloud Services: Orange Tunisie and Focus are partnering to expand locally hosted cloud and infrastructure services, with local support and data control for Tunisian businesses. Women in Science: Tunisian cybersecurity researcher Dhikra Mahmoud won the 2026 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science France Award. Research & Innovation: Tunisia ranked among Africa’s innovation leaders; WIPO cited its science and engineering graduates and research output as strengths. Water & Agriculture: Researcher Hussein Rhili says irrigation losses and water-intensive export crops make it urgent to rethink Tunisia’s agricultural production map. Energy: Tunisia and Algeria will study a proposed 1.4 GW gas-fired power plant to help address pressure on Tunisia’s electricity system.

Strategic Projects: Tunisia’s government reviewed six major projects, including Tunis-Carthage Airport’s expansion and upgrades to the Borj El Amri power plant. Their progress varies, and construction timelines remain unclear. Energy: Tunisia and Algeria will study a proposed 1.4-gigawatt combined-cycle gas plant, as Tunisia seeks to strengthen its power supply. Cloud Services: Orange Tunisie and Focus are partnering to expand locally hosted cloud services for businesses, with local support and data control. Women in Science: Tunisian researcher Dhikra Mahmoud won a 2026 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science France Award for her cybersecurity research. Innovation: Tunisia ranked among Africa’s leading innovators in WIPO’s 2026 index, placing first globally for science and engineering graduates and 12th for scientific publications. Water Research: Researcher Hussein Rhili urged Tunisia to rethink its agricultural production map and tackle irrigation network losses, as farming uses 77% of the country’s annual water.