The Minister of Finance, Michket Slama Khaldi, explained that the loan concluded between the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT), on behalf of and for the account of the Tunisian state, and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is part of the financial cooperation framework established between Tunisia and this institution. This cooperation began in 2022 and continued in 2024 and 2025. She specified that the framework agreement is subject to updates through addenda with each new borrowing operation.
She added that negotiations relating to this operation began in October 2025 and continued until February 2026. Thanks to the joint work of the services of the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank, they succeeded in reducing the interest rate from 9.45% to 5.86%.
The minister also indicated that the loan amount stands at 500 million dollars. It aims to mobilize the resources necessary to finance the state budget, to strengthen the country’s foreign currency reserves, and to support the Central Bank’s capacity to finance imports of essential goods. It should also enable the financing required for investment and the implementation of development projects included in the 2026-2030 development plan.
She added that the State had repaid, on July 14, 2026, an external loan amounting to 740 million euros, which required mobilizing new financial resources in order to preserve budgetary balances.
The minister further stated that the Board of Directors of the Central Bank had approved this loan on March 18, 2026, before its deliberations were endorsed by Presidential Decree No. 108 of 2026, dated June 8, 2026. She stressed that the final approval of sovereign loans lies exclusively within the competence of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People.
She also denied any deliberate intention to delay submitting the project to the legislative power, noting that the duration of negotiations and the completion of the various legal procedures had necessitated this schedule.
The minister finally affirmed that Tunisia continues to preserve its credibility with its diverse lenders thanks to its commitment to honoring its debts on time. She also foresees a gradual decrease in the weight of the debt service starting from 2028.
