A national project entitled “Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure” was launched on Friday, October 2, 2026 in Tunis. It aims to support Tunisian companies and economic actors in their transition toward sustainability.
The project rests on cooperation between companies, startups, researchers, universities, experts and project holders, in order to develop solutions addressing the concrete problems of the Tunisian economy. It spans seven months, until April 2027, and is part of the “CréAfrique 2.0” program.
500 young people and project holders targeted
The project plans to accompany 500 young people and project holders, to involve 100 experts and researchers, to connect with 50 companies and to support 15 projects. Visits are planned in 12 cities and 10 scientific articles must be published on sustainability issues.
For the project leader, Fatma Attia, the initiative constitutes a bridge between researchers, project holders and companies, which should allow transforming on-the-ground problems into applicable solutions adapted to the Tunisian economy.
A caravan in 12 cities
According to her, the project goes beyond mere awareness: it is about going to the regions and the economic sectors to identify their own challenges. The difficulties in the textile industry, she cited as an example, are not those of automotive components.
A “caravan of corporate social responsibility” will thus traverse Bizerte, Tunis, Sousse, Mahdia, Sfax, Djerba, Gabès, Tozeur, Sidi Bouzid, Kairouan, Le Kef and Béja, to listen to local actors and to record the region-specific sustainability issues.
Four axes and an innovation laboratory
The project is structured around four axes: raising awareness of sustainability issues, measuring practices, needs and challenges of companies, stimulating innovation and developing skills. It covers five domains: employment, training, innovation, scientific research and entrepreneurship.
A “laboratory of innovation” will bring together companies, startups, experts, researchers and students to define the issues, formulate solutions and test prototypes. A scientific committee composed of researchers and experts will supervise the process.
A first national study on CSR
The research component provides for the creation of a participatory research space, in collaboration with the Centre for Economic and Social Studies and Research. A first national study on the maturity level of corporate social responsibility will be conducted with more than 100 Tunisian companies, as well as a national guide of good practices.
After the official launch, a “Hackathon 2.0” is planned for January 30–31, 2027. The project will conclude with a forum on innovation for an intelligent and sustainable infrastructure, on April 20–21, 2027, where the results will be presented.
