Tunisia is moving to modernise its investment framework as part of a broader push to strengthen its startup and innovation ecosystem.
Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri chaired a cabinet meeting in Tunis to review the country’s Investment Law and assess new opportunities aimed at accelerating economic growth and enterprise formation.
The proposed overhaul aligns with the national development vision of President Kais Saied, focusing on social justice, balanced regional development, and a more inclusive economic model. Officials stressed that investment remains a cornerstone for job creation, competitiveness, and long-term economic resilience.
While Tunisia has introduced multiple investment frameworks since independence—including reforms under the 2016 Investment Law—the government acknowledged that further changes are needed to meet today’s economic and technological realities. The revised law is designed to simplify procedures, reduce friction for investors, and better align capital flows with national priorities.
Key objectives of the reform include:
- Boosting value creation, exports, and technological intensity
- Channeling investment into priority sectors
- Creating quality employment and strengthening youth skills
- Ensuring environmentally sustainable and regionally balanced development
Minister of Economy and Planning Samir Abdelhafidh detailed the new framework, noting that it draws on international best practices. Measures include unifying the legal framework, fully digitalising the investor journey, revising incentives, and introducing a national investor platform with a single-window system—particularly aimed at supporting young and first-time founders.
The reforms form part of wider structural changes intended to improve public sector efficiency, rebuild investor confidence, and enhance Tunisia’s regional and global competitiveness.
In a bid to improve execution, the Prime Minister instructed all public bodies—across central, regional, and local levels—to engage proactively with investors, resolve issues swiftly, and provide clear guidance. Investors can now report delays or administrative obstacles directly to the Prime Ministry via a dedicated channel, reinforcing accountability as the new law rolls out.
For Tunisia’s startup ecosystem, the revised Investment Law signals a renewed effort to create a more predictable, digital-first, and founder-friendly environment at a time when competition for capital across MENA is intensifying.
