The African Development Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have jointly published the Tunisia Entrepreneurial Profile 2025, a comprehensive study of the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Financed by the United Kingdom Embassy and developed in collaboration with the Tunisian government, the report examines the strengths and structural challenges of entrepreneurship in Tunisia while providing actionable recommendations to support public reforms and foster a more competitive and inclusive private sector, a key driver of growth and job creation.
Roderick Drummond, United Kingdom High Commissioner to Tunisia, emphasized that the report provides Tunisian authorities with a unique dataset to inform policies supporting entrepreneurship and micro-enterprises. He highlighted that such insights are crucial for designing effective public policies that nurture business creation and economic development.
Malinne Blomberg, African Development Bank Deputy Director General for North Africa and Country Manager for Tunisia, welcomed the study, noting Tunisia’s foundation of dynamic and resilient entrepreneurs. She underlined that the report offers a solid evidence base to design tailored programs that stimulate investment, enterprise growth, employment, and economic inclusion across the country.
Richard Jones, Director for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean in EBRD’s SME Finance and Development Group, highlighted the complementarity between the EBRD and the African Development Bank in promoting an inclusive and competitive private sector. He noted that the report reflects a joint commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment and sustainable entrepreneurship in Tunisia.
The study integrates economic data, field surveys, and sectoral diagnostics to identify the key drivers of entrepreneurial activity. It emphasizes priority actions such as improving access to finance for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), integrating businesses into local and regional value chains, promoting women’s entrepreneurship, and expanding and modernizing support services for both emerging and established entrepreneurs. This comprehensive approach aims to stimulate enterprise creation, support growth, and encourage formalization across Tunisia’s private sector.
