Tunisian Environment Minister Announces Plans to Boost Sanitation Coverage to 70 % by 2030
Date: Friday, 13 March 2026
Source: La Presse – “Sousse‑friperie : opération coup de poing contre les étalages anarchiques”
Key Figures
- Current sanitation network connection rate: 68 % of the population.
- Target increase: +2 % per year, aiming for roughly 70 % coverage by 2030.
- Beneficiaries today: 7.5 million Tunisians have access to sewer services.
Main Strategic Axes of the Ministry’s Environmental Action Programme
| Axis | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Support & Rehabilitation of Sanitation Facilities | Upgrade existing treatment plants, expand networks to underserved areas. |
| 2. Improvement & Valorisation of Waste‑Water Quality | Enhance treatment processes, promote reuse of treated water for agriculture and industry. |
| 3. Development of Integrated Waste‑Management System | Strengthen collection, sorting, recycling, and safe disposal of solid waste. |
| 4. Coastal Restoration & Erosion Protection | Implement shoreline reinforcement, dune restoration, and habitat preservation. |
| 5. Pollution Reduction & Environmental Protection | Target plastic and chemical pollutants, enforce stricter emission standards. |
| 6. Biodiversity Conservation & Ecosystem Restoration | Rehabilitate degraded habitats, protect endangered species, and promote green corridors. |
Secondary Priorities (Cross‑Cutting Themes)
- Ecological Transition Across All Sectors – embed sustainability in agriculture, industry, transport, and tourism.
- Green, Circular & Blue Economy Investment – attract private capital for renewable energy, waste‑to‑resource projects, and marine‑based initiatives.
- Climate‑Adaptation Measures – safeguard natural resources while adjusting to climate change impacts.
- Coastal Attractiveness – develop socially and economically valuable shoreline zones.
Concrete Measures Highlighted by Minister Habib Abid
- Increase sanitation network connections to meet the 2 % annual growth goal.
- Upgrade and valorise treated water for irrigation and industrial reuse.
- Combat plastic and chemical pollution through stricter regulations and public awareness campaigns.
- Implement organic‑waste composting programmes to turn food‑grade waste into valuable soil amendments.
- Promote renewable energy to ensure energy security and reduce carbon emissions.
- Support emerging environmental enterprises with financing, training, and market access.
- Strengthen pollution monitoring and enforcement – harsher penalties for violations, better detection tools.
- Simplify administrative procedures and digitise environmental licensing and tender processes.
- Standardise technical specifications (cahiers des charges) across all projects to ensure quality and transparency.
Why This Matters
Tunisia’s push to expand sanitation coverage and modernise its environmental management aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation), Goal 13 (Climate Action), and Goal 14 (Life Below Water). By targeting a steady 2 % annual increase in network connections, the government aims to bring essential services to millions more citizens, reduce health risks, and lay the groundwork for a resilient, green economy.
Further Reading
Read also: Sousse‑friperie: operation coup de poing contre les étalages anarchiques – La Presse (13 March 2026)
