Tunisian Government Outlines Economic and Social Orientations for 2026
The Head of Government, Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri, chaired a ministerial council meeting this morning at the Government Palace in Kasbah to discuss the major economic and social orientations of Tunisia for the year 2026.
Introduction
At the opening of the session, Zaafrani emphasized the importance of these orientations as a guiding document for the state's economic and social policy. She specified that this document allows for the translation of the state's priorities and the definition of a global vision for economic and social balances, by putting in place action plans, programs, and projects to ensure comprehensive and equitable development and harmonized economic growth with social justice.
Key Objectives
Zaafrani stressed the need to take into account the work of local, regional, and governorate councils in the context of developing the 2026-2030 development plan, following a bottom-up and progressive approach, giving a central role to local authorities, in accordance with the Constitution and the vision of the President of the Republic, Kaïs Saïed. The economic and social orientations of Tunisia for 2026 reflect national choices and orientations for development, with main objectives including:
- Ensuring dignified living conditions
- Promoting social justice
- Opening up new opportunities for all
- Supporting investment
- Strengthening sources of wealth creation by optimizing production capacities
Economic Recovery and Resilience
She also recalled the importance of consolidating economic recovery, strengthening resilience in the face of crises, implementing projects from local and regional councils starting from 2026, launching new reforms and programs to improve the effectiveness of public policies, and accelerating the implementation of public and private projects.
Global Economic Perspectives
The council examined global economic perspectives as well as the national context in economic, social, technological, and environmental fields. Discussions focused on hypotheses related to economic policies, growth estimates and objectives for 2026, particularly concerning the evolution of productive sectors, GDP, the agricultural sector, manufacturing and non-manufacturing industries, the service sector, investment, foreign trade, and the phosphate sector.
Development Plan
The council also analyzed the development plan based on the expectations of elected councils, aiming to balance social justice and economic efficiency in a sustainable manner. The main axes include:
- Strengthening economic and social inclusion
- Expanding social protection
- Improving social and health coverage for low-income categories
- Facilitating access to essential services such as health, education, and transportation
- Supporting livelihood resources and economic inclusion of vulnerable categories
Human Capital and National Capacities
The importance of valorizing human capital and strengthening national capacities was also highlighted, with the need for a comprehensive reform of the educational system, higher education, and vocational training, emphasizing the quality of education, digital transition, improvement of health services, expansion of universal health coverage, and support for scientific research and innovation.
Competitiveness and Investment
The council stressed the need to improve the competitiveness of the economy and stimulate investment, by strengthening territorial integration and spatial justice, pursuing the improvement of the business climate, modernizing administration, developing infrastructure, and strengthening the role of elected councils in defining priorities and implementing development projects.
Sustainability
Economic, social, and environmental sustainability was another central point, with the promotion of the green and circular economy, strengthening energy efficiency and the use of renewable energies, managing natural resources and protecting biodiversity, as well as integrating the environmental dimension to strengthen resilience in the face of climate challenges.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the council insisted on strengthening the pillars of the social state, including job creation and reducing unemployment through new recruitments in the public sector in 2026, fighting against precarious work, promoting decent work with fair wages and social protection, supporting vulnerable categories and limited-income families, and improving the quality and proximity of services, particularly in health, education, and transportation. The council also recommended stimulating economic growth by favoring public and private investment in a perspective of equitable development, supporting investment in renewable energies, integrating the informal economy into the economic circuit, and developing equitable development based on the results of local, regional, and governorate councils.
