Tunisia Achieves Remarkable Performance in Repaying External Debt
Tunisia has accomplished a remarkable feat by repaying 125% of its scheduled external debt payments for 2025, as of the end of September. The total amount paid exceeds the financial law's forecasts, which estimated a repayment of 8.469 billion dinars. The country has thus completed its annual external debt service three months ahead of schedule, while maintaining a comfortable level of foreign exchange reserves and significantly reducing its reliance on external borrowing.
National Strategy for Economic Sovereignty
This achievement is part of a national strategy to refocus on domestic resources, prioritizing self-financing and economic sovereignty. For several years, Tunisia has been striving to cover its external financing needs without resorting to international financial institutions. This approach has enabled the country to strengthen its economic resilience in the face of external shocks.
Strong Performance of the External Sector
The country's ability to honor its commitments is largely due to the good performance of the external sector. The improvement in tourism revenues, the sustained increase in transfers from Tunisians living abroad, and the growth of exports, particularly olive oil, have fueled a sufficient stock of foreign exchange to meet international financial obligations.
Debt Repayment and Budgetary Data
According to the current year's budgetary data, the payable external debt stood at approximately 8.469 billion dinars. The main creditors include the International Monetary Fund, to which Tunisia repaid around 1.126 billion dinars, Afreximbank with 815 million dinars, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for an amount of 159 million dinars. These repayments are part of a global program that provides for the payment of 18.2 billion dinars in 2025 for the principal of public debt, divided between 8.5 billion for external debt and 9.7 billion for domestic debt. In addition to these amounts, 6.5 billion dinars in interest are due, including 4.6 billion for domestic debt and 1.9 billion for external debt.
Positive Evolution of Public Debt Structure
The latest data also confirm a positive evolution of the public debt structure. A report published by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development indicates that the share of external debt in total public debt has decreased from 70% in 2019 to 50% in 2025. This decline reflects a better balance between internal and external financing sources. Furthermore, the total public debt stock is expected to reach 80.5% of GDP by the end of the year, according to the same institution's projections.
World Bank Report on International Debt
The World Bank, in its latest report on international debt, highlights that Tunisia maintains effective control over its external debt level. The debt service ratio to gross national income remains contained, despite the presence of a significant share of short-term debt. In parallel, the country continues to manage its debt burden in relation to the resources generated by the external sector, particularly exports.
Conclusion
In summary, Tunisia confirms its ability to meet its external commitments while consolidating its macroeconomic balances. This anticipated repayment, without external financial support, sends a strong signal to markets and economic partners, reflecting a clear willingness to regain control over its financial sovereignty.
