The Ministry of Trade and Export Development recently welcomed the steering committee for the AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area) support project.
This meeting allowed a review of the progress made and the outlining of future directions to strengthen Tunisia’s presence on the continent. The discussions highlighted concrete results achieved and the upcoming action paths, in a context where Tunisia seeks to maximize its trade with Africa.
Review of the First Phase and Commitments Made
The technical support program, covering the period 2021-2025, has assisted Tunisia in its integration into the AfCFTA. Efforts have focused on key areas such as trade in goods and services, dispute settlement, competition, intellectual property, investment, digital trade, as well as the involvement of women and youth.
At the same time, dedicated support has helped the country meet its obligations to the continental zone while fully leveraging the benefits it offers. These initiatives have enabled Tunisia to position itself more firmly within the African economic space, fostering smoother and more structured exchanges.
The meeting also addressed the second phase of the cooperation program, planned for 2026-2028, in partnership with the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ). This phase will emphasize the private sector, in order to strengthen its presence and capitalize on untapped opportunities in Africa, notably in goods and services.
Integration into African value chains will receive particular attention for Tunisian strategic products, such as textiles, leather, footwear, automobiles, and pharmaceutical products. Institutional support will complement these measures, involving the National AfCFTA Commission and public bodies such as the External Trade Observatory. The objective is to improve the quality of statistical data on goods and services, for more informed decision-making.
Cross-cutting Projects and Priorities
The discussions focused on strengthening the Tunisian component in horizontal projects related to commercial logistics. Among them is the realization of a continental commercial corridor, linking the Ben Guerdane trade logistics zone, via the Ras Jedir border post, to landlocked Sub-Saharan African countries, passing through Libya.
This corridor aims to streamline trade flows and open new markets. Additionally, a targeted effort focuses on women and youth, through awareness-raising about the benefits and projects envisaged by the AfCFTA protocol regarding their role in trade.
The Ministry of Trade emphasizes aligning cooperation priorities with those of the State, placing the services sector at the forefront. This area acts as a key engine to boost exports to Africa.
Recently, the ministry launched an electronic platform to digitize the issuance of certificates of origin, thereby simplifying procedures. Think tanks have also been established within the ministry, in collaboration with the chambers of commerce and industry, to gather regional initiatives and support deeper integration in Africa.
