Celebrating Africa Industrialization Day, Tunisia Offers a Glimpse into its Own Movement
Tunisia celebrated the International Day of Africa Industrialization, offering a snapshot of its own movement: a country refining its tools, expanding its horizons, and revisiting its industrial future in light of innovation and regional integration. Under the impetus of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the National School of Administration (ENA), this day showcased a Tunisia that is no longer content with just learning, but is now inspiring the continent with its expertise.
The Celebration
The event, organized by the Tunisia office of UNIDO and ENA, was held under the theme "Transforming the African Economy through Sustainable Industrialization, Regional Integration, and Innovation." It took place in the presence of ENA Director Khaoula Laâbidi and student administrators, and was an opportunity to present projects jointly carried out by the Tunisian government and UNIDO Tunisia.
Industrialization: A Driver of Growth and Transformation
"Industrialization is not just a driver of growth or competitiveness, but a lever for profound transformation, capable of creating employment, reducing inequalities, and opening up new perspectives for our continent," said Lassaâd Ben Hassine, representative of UNIDO Tunisia. He emphasized that the future of Africa, like that of Tunisia, depends on the collective ability to innovate, modernize production systems, and build more resilient and inclusive economic models.
Projects Aligned with National Priorities
The choice of sustainable industrialization, regional integration, and innovation as central themes for this day reflects the importance of these pillars in stimulating growth, creating decent job opportunities, and opening up new perspectives for young people and women in Tunisia and across the continent. The debates focused on issues such as the economic empowerment of women through the development of sustainable artisanal and agricultural value chains, skill development, and support for youth creativity, as well as the transition to sustainable industrialization.
Aligning with the United Nations and Government Objectives
These themes are in line with the 15 projects developed jointly by the Tunisian government and UNIDO Tunisia, which aim to promote the country's industrialization and align with the objectives of the cooperation framework between the United Nations and the Tunisian government for the period 2021-2026, as well as with Tunisia's strategic vision for 2035. UNIDO, which is celebrating 31 years of cooperation with Tunisia, is currently working with the Ministry of Industry and various stakeholders on a new partnership agreement for the period 2026-2030.
Five Priority Areas
This new agreement sets out five priority areas: support for SMEs, digital transition and creativity, the energy and decarbonization sector, the circular economy and green entrepreneurship, as well as skill development and inclusivity. These sectors, which will be at the heart of the new agreement, are expected to support Tunisia's efforts to achieve its export targets by 2035.
Expertise that Exports with Success
Referring to the key economic role played by industry, Ben Hassine recalled that, as the largest employer in Tunisia, this sector represents 18% of the national GDP and contributes significantly to export revenues. With its experience in developing industrial sectors, Tunisia is sought after by several African countries for the expertise it has accumulated over the decades. He announced that, under the South-South cooperation mechanism made available by the organization, the UNIDO Tunisia office has received several requests from African countries wishing to draw inspiration from Tunisia's experience, as well as from mechanisms put in place in various fields such as the Tunisian Agency for Investment and Export Promotion (APII), the National Agency for Environmental Protection (ANPE), waste management, or SME upgrading.
Tunisian Expertise
He added that 99% of the experts leading the 15 projects implemented by UNIDO for a budget of $50 million are Tunisian. This figure testifies, according to him, to the capital of expertise that the country possesses today. "Tunisia has a great deal of experience in various industrial fields. With its expertise, it can export its know-how," he commented.
