Tunisian SMEs Set to Expand into African Markets with Qawafel Program
The Qawafel program, funded to the tune of 3.8 million euros by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and implemented by Expertise France, has presented an optimistic and positive first assessment. The initiative, which aims to strengthen public structures, train experts, and establish bilateral agreements, has successfully structured the internationalization of Tunisian SMEs towards four sub-Saharan African markets by 2026.
At a press conference held at the headquarters of the Arab Institute of Business Leaders (IACE), the Qawafel project was highlighted. This project has reached a crucial milestone in its mission to strategically position Tunisian businesses on the African continent.
According to Mazen Kassem, the project director, the Qawafel program is under the supervision of the Ministry of Industry, Energy, and Mines. He presented the results of the technical assistance program, which targets five key structures directly.
The project was launched in May 2023 with a global budget of 3.8 million euros, financed by the AFD and executed by Expertise France. "This high-impact project will extend until December 2026. It primarily targets small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in high-value-added sectors such as agro-industries, health, technology, education, and vocational training," Kassem explained.
Structuring the Export Ecosystem
To ensure a lasting impact, the Qawafel program relies on an institutional approach. Kassem stated that the project focuses on strengthening the technical and material capabilities of intermediate structures and public institutions responsible for driving the internationalization of national businesses. "This upgrade enables them to deploy cutting-edge support services tailored to the complex realities of accessing African markets."
Beyond providing technical support, the program serves as an economic diplomacy lever. It actively supports bilateral cooperation through the organization of economic missions and participation in international trade fairs, while contributing directly to the development of Tunisia's national economic diplomacy strategy.
Four Target Markets and Concrete Results
The program is currently focusing its efforts on four strategic target markets: Senegal, Mauritania, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Kenya. The ultimate goal is to establish viable cooperation mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of support services beyond the project's closure in 2026.
Among the concrete achievements detailed by Kassem were:
- Sectoral skills development: Ten PACKTEC (Centre Technique de l'Emballage) cadres were trained and deployed to support Tunisian SMEs, ensuring long-term technical assistance continuity.
- Export expertise: CEPEX (Centre de Promotion des Exportations) and specialized organization cadres benefited from targeted training in audit and technical support, specifically tailored for the health and pharmaceutical sectors.
- Strategic alliances: The project facilitated the signing of a major cooperation agreement between the APII (Agence de Promotion de l'Industrie et de l'Innovation) and its DRC counterpart, solidifying a strengthened economic partnership between the two countries' ecosystems.
- Market studies and prospecting: In-depth analyses were conducted to identify African consumer needs for Tunisian agro-industrial products. A strategic study was also completed to promote and export Tunisian expertise in industrial zone management to sub-Saharan Africa.
Kassem concluded by reaffirming that the Qawafel project serves as a model for intensifying Tunisia's economic deployment on the continent and boosting the competitiveness of its businesses on the international stage.
