The Importance of Female Leadership in Economic Development and Competitiveness
The issue of female leadership has become a crucial factor in development and competitiveness. The contribution of women is more strategic than ever. In this dynamic, the International Council of Women Entrepreneurs (Cife), in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), organized its international congress titled "Female Leadership and Economic Integration: Strategic Synergies between Tunisia and the Mediterranean" from November 18 to 20, 2025, in Tunis.
A High-Level Event
This major event brings together high-level decision-makers, private sector leaders, academics, and representatives of regional and international organizations. The goal is to define a common roadmap to strengthen the presence of women in decision-making positions and consolidate their contribution to economic integration in the Mediterranean region.
Exploring Key Issues
Through a series of panels, participants and experts explored key issues, such as governance challenges, economic transformation prospects, and the strategic role of women in creating sustainable regional synergies.
Opening Remarks
During the opening of the congress, Ms. Fatma Thabet Chiboub, Minister of Industry, Mines, and Energy, highlighted the determining role of women in building the region's economic future. She emphasized the need to recognize their paths, struggles, and essential contribution to social progress and economic strengthening. She noted that preparing for the future means paving the way for future generations and that this congress places female leadership at the heart of economic, industrial, and cultural strategies.
Women's Role in Development
Ms. Chiboub affirmed that the success of Tunisia's industrial and energy development relies on the intelligence and creativity of women, a historical asset strengthened by visionary national choices. She recalled the strong female representation in the government, a symbol of the country's modern identity, as well as the remarkable performances of Tunisian women in higher education, engineering, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Women in Industry and Technology
She also highlighted the importance of women's role in industry, energy transition, and emerging technological sectors, where many female leaders contribute to the country's economic transformation. These advances, she emphasized, are the result of a structured effort by the state to encourage productive and innovative female leadership.
International Partnership
Finally, Ms. Chiboub mentioned Tunisia's commitment to the Euro-Mediterranean partnership and cited the Elmed project as an exemplary collaboration, led in part by Tunisian engineers and experts. She concluded by calling on women to consider themselves not just as participants, but as true architects of the economic future.
Sharing Experiences
On her part, Nejia Gharbi, General Director of the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC Tunisia), indicated that she participated as a panelist in this forum dedicated to female leadership, particularly in the Mediterranean region, in entrepreneurship, decision-making positions, and boards of directors. She emphasized the importance of sharing experiences and relying on success stories to continue advancing, recalling that Tunisian women have always occupied a strong position in the country's history.
Promoting Female Representation
She also recalled that in Europe, legislation requires at least 40% female presence in boards of directors for non-executive positions, a threshold that is exceeded, reaching 45%. According to her, a similar directive could be adopted in Tunisia, with a minimum quota of one-third, to enrich the composition of boards of directors and strengthen their sensitivity to human issues, sustainable development, and gender equality.
