Tunisia Emerges as a Key Hub for Artificial Intelligence in Africa
Tunisia is affirming its position as one of the emerging poles of artificial intelligence (AI) in Africa, driven in part by the success of InstaDeep, which was acquired in 2023 by the German firm BioNTech for over $550 million. This acquisition, one of the largest tech transactions on the continent, illustrates Tunisia's ability to produce world-class AI solutions.
According to a report published on September 1, 2025, by the Nigerian company Heirs Technologies, African startups specializing in AI have raised $1.25 billion between January 2019 and March 2025. While South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt account for 86% of these funds ($1.08 billion), other innovative ecosystems are emerging, particularly in Tunisia, Morocco, and Ghana.
Success of InstaDeep
In Tunisia, the success of InstaDeep, founded in 2014 by Karim Beguir and Zohra Slim, remains a benchmark. The company gained recognition for its early detection system for coronavirus variants before diversifying its applications to robotics, biotechnology, and energy optimization. Its acquisition by BioNTech has placed Tunis on the global map of technological hubs.
Other Promising African Startups
Beyond InstaDeep, the report cites other promising African startups, such as Xolani Health (Nigeria), NeedEnergy (Zimbabwe), and Plentify (South Africa), which are active in predictive diagnostics and intelligent energy systems. This wave of innovation is fueled by a diverse base of investors, including Google VC, Norrsken, and Techstars, as well as African funds such as Launch Africa, AfricInvest, and Future Africa.
Growing African AI Market
The African AI market is estimated to be worth $4.5 billion in 2025, accounting for 1.85% of the global market, and is expected to grow rapidly. More than 20 countries have already adopted national strategies to develop AI, including lightweight language models adapted to local needs in agriculture, health, and education.
Strategic Opportunity for Tunisia
For Tunisia, this context represents a strategic opportunity: to establish itself as a regional platform for digital innovation and attract more international funding in a rapidly expanding sector. With its strong foundation in AI and its growing reputation as a hub for technological innovation, Tunisia is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend and become a leader in the African AI market.
