Tunisia's Oil Production Hits 13-Year Low in March 2026

According to data published by the National Observatory of Energy and Mines, Tunisia's national oil production reached approximately 0.29 million tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) by the end of March 2026, marking a 13% decline compared to the same period in 2025, when it stood at around 0.33 million toe.

International energy expert Ezzedine Khalfallah attributed this decline to the continued decline in production from Tunisia's main oil fields, combined with weak drilling and exploration activities, and the absence of new discoveries. He also highlighted the significant decrease in the number of exploitation permits, from 54 in 2010 to just 12 currently.

This situation, according to Khalfallah, is largely due to the progressive withdrawal of major exploration companies from the Tunisian market, in a context marked by limited prospects for new discoveries and a growing shift in investor interest towards renewable energy.

Khalfallah also emphasized that the country's legal and fiscal frameworks remain insufficiently attractive to encourage investment in the hydrocarbons sector, despite efforts by the Tunisian Petroleum Company to attract new partners.

Warning of a potential worsening of the country's energy trade deficit, Khalfallah called for accelerating the transition to renewable energy in Tunisia, highlighting the country's significant potential in this area, which could produce clean energy at a lower cost.

In this context, the expert advocated for the adoption of urgent measures to rationalize energy consumption in various sectors, implement a gradual and limited adjustment of fuel prices with targeted support for vulnerable categories, and accelerate the realization of renewable energy projects and energy efficiency improvements.

In the medium term, Khalfallah recommended continuing the development of renewable energy, digitizing the national electricity grid, and gradually reforming the compensation system, while relaunching exploration and production activities in the hydrocarbons sector.

According to data from the National Observatory of Energy and Mines, Tunisia's national electricity production reached approximately 4,493 gigawatt-hours by the end of March 2026, representing a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Local electricity consumption also grew by 2%.

The country's national electricity production park relied almost exclusively on natural gas, which accounted for around 93% of the country's electricity production. Electricity imports, mainly from Algeria, covered around 9% of national electricity needs.