The regional office of the Tunisian Bank of Solidarity (BTS) in Kasserine has scheduled financing for 800 projects during the year 2026, for a total estimated amount of 16 million dinars. This initiative is part of continuing support for project idea bearers, young entrepreneurs, and small farmers, as well as the implementation of several social and targeted programs adopted by the State.
The director of the BTS office in Kasserine, Zine Salhi, told the Tunisian Africa Press Agency (TAP) that the office had surpassed, in 2025, the objective set at 800 financed projects. By the end of 2025, no fewer than 1,141 projects had thus benefited from financing, for a total cost approaching 15 million dinars.
According to Zine Salhi, this performance is explained notably by the diversity of programs and financing mechanisms implemented, whether financed from the bank’s own resources or carried out within the framework of specific programs in partnership with several ministries and public bodies.
Support for low-income categories
Among the main programs planned for 2026 is the one aimed at financing vulnerable and low-income categories. With a national envelope of 20 million dinars, this program reserves a significant portion for the governorate of Kasserine.
The region will thus benefit from financing of 112 projects, for a total envelope estimated at 1.125 million dinars.
A separate program concerns strengthening the economic and social inclusion of people with disabilities. A national envelope of 5 million dinars has been allocated to it, including 320 thousand dinars for Kasserine. This funding should enable at least 32 projects, at a rate of 10 thousand dinars per project, with no interest.
The repayment is planned over a period of eight years, with a grace period of two years.
Financing of businesses in the least developed regions
The BTS is also implementing a program aimed at supporting the financing of economic enterprises in the least developed regions. Registrations for this program have recently begun.
The scheme provides financing of up to 40 thousand dinars, with a preferential interest rate capped at 5%, a repayment period of up to seven years, and one year of grace.
It also provides operating credits in the form of working capital, up to a maximum of 10 thousand dinars, repayable over a period of up to five years.
Financing dedicated to small farmers
In the agricultural sector, the BTS continues financing small farmers in several activities, notably potato cultivation, the building up of cattle feed stocks, as well as summer and winter forage crops.
The bank is also preparing to launch a program aimed at small breeders owning at most 50 female head, to finance the purchase of feed for cattle as part of preparations to ensure the supply of sheep for Eid al-Adha 2027.
The Kasserine office is furthermore preparing to finance the olive harvest campaign as well as major crops, notably wheat and barley, through seasonal credits intended for small farmers. These credits can reach up to 20 thousand dinars for certain seasonal agricultural activities.
Zine Salhi specified that the granting of agricultural credits is carried out in coordination with support structures and technical services, notably the Regional Commissariat for Agricultural Development. Projects undergo a technical study before being submitted to the competent regional commissions, in accordance with circulars and the applicable regulations.
Programs included in the 2026 Finance Law
The official also emphasized that several of these programs have been adopted within the framework of the 2026 Finance Law, in the context of strengthening the social role of the State and the BTS.
They notably concern support for vulnerable and low-income categories, people with disabilities, and small farmers, as well as the “CAP Emploi” program, which allows the promoter to implement their project without having prior own financing.
The Tunisian Bank of Solidarity is a public institution that offers financing mechanisms for project idea bearers, including graduates of higher education and vocational training as well as artisans and small farmers. It also serves the social categories targeted by specific programs, with the aim of supporting private initiative and economic and social inclusion.
