Italian Ambassador Visits Southern Tunisia to Promote Development Projects
In the southern region of Tunisia, specifically in Rjim Maatoug, El Mahdeth, and Tataouine, the Italian Ambassador, Alessandro Prunas, conducted a field visit to important development projects. These projects aim to address national priorities and meet the needs of local communities.
Concrete Impact and Opportunities for the Population
"The Italian Cooperation's commitment in Tunisia is guided by the principles of the Mattei Plan for Africa, which focuses on having a concrete impact on the territories and creating real opportunities for the population. Our action is driven by the desire to provide tangible responses to the expectations of the Tunisian authorities and population, through the promotion of local economies, job creation, and sustainable development," said Ambassador Prunas.
Visit to Rjim Maatoug and El Mahdeth
The mission began in Rjim Maatoug, in the Kébili governorate, where Italian cooperation, in collaboration with the Tunisian Ministry of Defense, has been supporting a vast program to combat desertification and promote agricultural development for over 20 years. Thanks to the creation and cultivation of approximately 2,500 hectares of date palm groves, a modern oasis has emerged, where over 8,000 people have settled. This oasis contributes to 5% of the national date production and has become a catalyst for private investment.
Replicating the Model
"Rjim Maatoug is an emblematic example of Italy's contribution to Tunisia's development. This project, which has become a regional reference, testifies to a partnership based on the real needs of the territories," said Ambassador Prunas, highlighting Italy's commitment to replicating this model in El Mahdeth, approximately 40 km south of Rjim Maatoug, with the conversion of an additional 1,050 hectares into productive agricultural land.
Partnership and Cooperation
"The initiatives in Rjim Maatoug and El Mahdeth reflect the vision of a partnership based on a shared determination to provide concrete responses to common challenges. Supporting the Tunisian agricultural sector is an absolute priority for us, and it is also at the heart of Tanit, the largest cooperation program ever launched by Italy in Tunisia. Tanit is a flagship project of the Mattei Plan for Africa, which focuses on three axes to strengthen the country's food security: treatment and valorization of non-conventional water, improvement of agricultural performance in several regions, and support for training, research, and innovation," said Ambassador Prunas.
Inauguration of the Photovoltaic System in Tataouine
On November 25, Ambassador Prunas participated in the inauguration of the photovoltaic system installed at the Tataouine high school by the Italian company ENI, which has been present in Tunisia since 1961 and is the developer of the Transmed gas pipeline, connecting Algeria to Sicily via Tunisia. The inauguration marked the final stage of a program that equipped 14 primary and secondary schools in the region with a total capacity of approximately 200 KW, benefiting nearly 7,000 people (students, teachers, and school staff). Thanks to these installations, the schools now have a stable, renewable, and sustainable source of energy, ensuring the continuity of educational activities and reducing energy costs.
Promoting a Sustainable Energy Transition
"The Italian System, in line with the Mattei Plan, promotes an inclusive energy transition, based on the needs of the territories and oriented towards the well-being of local communities," said Ambassador Prunas, who, upon returning to Tunis on November 26, participated in the International Energy Transition Exhibition organized by UTICA. On this occasion, in the presence of Secretary of State Wael Chouchane, he reaffirmed the transformative potential of the Italian-Tunisian partnership: "In the spirit of the Mattei Plan, innovative projects such as El Med and others can make Tunisia a regional hub for renewable energy: a country that can achieve energy sovereignty and become a net exporter of green electricity, through a transition based on equality, shared benefits, and full participation of the communities and territories involved."
