The Tunisian financial and banking system is preparing to effectively implement the new financing mechanism based on the provision of “honor loans” with no interest (0%), starting from October 1, 2026, after the completion of all legislative and regulatory steps governing this economic measure.
A broad segment of Tunisians awaits the launch of this type of financing, which should allow easier access to bank credit, with limited collateral, in order to improve their financial situation and, above all, to promote their integration into the economic and financial circuits.
The banking specialist Mohamed Nakhili believes that the “honor credit” could constitute a tool for financial inclusion for a wide category of Tunisians who do not have a bank account.
In a statement to the TAP agency, he indicated that the rate of access to banking and financial services in Tunisia is around 36%, a level he describes as “low” compared to some countries where the financial inclusion rate approaches 100%.
He stressed that the introduction of the “honor credit” could constitute an important and effective instrument to accelerate financial inclusion and combat financial exclusion for a significant number of Tunisians, particularly among people who mainly conduct their transactions in cash.
Mohamed Nakhili added that those wishing to benefit from an honor credit must have a bank account. According to him, this condition could accelerate the opening of accounts in order to access this type of financing, both for individuals and for those engaged in commercial activity, notably those operating in the informal sector and seeking to obtain a bank loan.
On his side, the accountant and banking issues expert Sofiane Ouerimi dismissed the hypothesis that the “honor credit” could constitute a genuine lever to increase the rate of financial inclusion.
He bases his analysis on two elements. The first is that banks will continue to apply financial prudence rules and the associated criteria, notably verifying the borrower’s ability to repay the honor credit. The second concerns the number of loans that should be granted by banks, which would remain limited.
In this regard, he noted that 8% of the total banking profits recorded for the year 2025 would amount to about 120 million dinars, of which half, i.e., 60 million dinars, would be allocated to individuals and community-based companies.
He also estimated that the number of beneficiaries should not exceed 12,000 clients, considering that this mechanism alone will not be enough to solve the financial inclusion problem.
The Tunisian financial and banking system will thus effectively enter the implementation phase of this new financing mechanism, based on the granting of interest-free loans (0%), starting from October 1, 2026, after the completion of all legislative and regulatory steps surrounding the measure.
Cette décision intervient à l’issue d’un processus législatif et réglementaire engagé en août 2024, avec la promulgation de la loi n°41 de 2024 relative aux financements sans intérêts.
Cette orientation a ensuite été concrétisée par la publication du texte juridique organisant ces crédits le 23 juillet 2026, puis par la circulaire de la Banque centrale de Tunisie n°8-2026 du 1er septembre 2026, qui a fixé les procédures régissant l’octroi de ces financements ainsi que leurs mécanismes de mise en œuvre par les banques tunisiennes.
