Tunisia Pushes Ahead with an Ambitious 2026 Reform Programme for Public Institutions and Enterprises
Goal: Boost financial and organisational performance while strengthening the social and economic role of state‑owned entities.
Why Public Institutions Matter
Public institutions are a strategic pillar of Tunisia’s national economy. They deliver essential services in key sectors such as energy, transport, industry, and services. Yet many have been grappling with serious financial and organisational difficulties for several years.
- A Court of Auditors report (January 2026) shows cumulative losses exceeding TND 1 billion across 11 public enterprises.
- The findings have reignited the debate on the future of the economic public sector and the need to rescue these entities without compromising their social mission.
Government’s Commitment
Despite the challenges, Tunisian authorities reaffirm their determination to preserve public institutions.
- President Kaïs Saïed, during a field visit to Société Ellouhoum de Ouardia (Ben Arous governorate) on 23 February 2026, declared that these companies “will neither be sold nor dumped.” He stressed the need to purge corruption and mis‑management that have eroded several structures.
- The President highlighted positive signs for firms such as the Tunisian Sugar Company and the steel plant, which are gradually regaining their strategic contribution to the national economy.
In a recent meeting with Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri and Minister of Economy and Planning Samir Abdelhafidh, President Saïed denounced corruption, sabotage, and undervaluation of many public institutions—often aimed at selling them off at low prices.
A Structured Reform Programme
The reform agenda, embedded in the 2026 Economic and Social Budget, reflects the government’s will to re‑structure the public sector, reinforce governance, and ensure continuous support for economic and social development. The overarching objective is to balance economic efficiency with the social role of state‑owned enterprises.
2025 Reform Milestones
- Continuation of programme contracts and objective‑based contracts between supervising ministries and public institutions to improve governance and management efficiency.
- Decree No. 567 (2025): bans subcontracting in the public sector to curb precarious employment and stabilise management practices.
- Dissolution of certain public companies, such as the service firm “Attisaliya,” as part of a broader state‑institutional reorganisation.
2026 Structural & Governance Measures
- Restructuring, merging, or eliminating entities with limited competencies or low impact.
- Strengthening governance and anti‑corruption mechanisms (see details below).
Strengthening Governance & Fighting Corruption
Key actions for 2026:
- Empower Boards of Directors and Institutional Councils as primary decision‑making bodies.
- Revise appointment procedures for board members to prioritize competence and specialization.
- Introduce performance evaluation and accountability for public‑shareholder representatives.
- Separate the roles of General Director and Board Chair; expand specialised committees (internal audit, risk management, etc.).
- Launch training and mentorship programmes for state‑appointed administrators, accompanied by a dedicated governance guide.
Human Resources & Internal Controls
- Human‑Resources Management System: overhaul the general status of agents and publish legislation governing external recruitment.
- Internal Control & Management: set up audit and management‑control units to curb abuses and improve governance.
- National Performance Database: develop a specialised information system (budget ≈ TND 676,000) to monitor public‑institution performance, enabling authorities to make data‑driven decisions.
Bottom Line
Tunisia’s 2026 reform programme aims to revitalize public institutions, ensuring they remain financially sound, efficiently managed, and socially responsible. By tackling corruption, modernising governance, and investing in human‑capital and data tools, the government seeks to transform state‑owned enterprises into drivers of sustainable economic growth while preserving their essential public‑service mandate.
