Tunisia's Startup Ecosystem Reaches New Heights
Driven by a favorable regulatory framework and growing investor interest, Tunisia's startup ecosystem has reached a milestone in 2024, with over $24 million raised through 11 funding operations.
Tunisia Emerges as a Dynamic Hub for Startups and Innovation
According to the 2025 report by "Start-up Genome", which provides an overview of the global startup ecosystem, Tunisia is rapidly establishing itself as a dynamic hub for startups and innovation in North Africa. The country's strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa is a major asset for attracting entrepreneurs looking to develop on a regional scale.
Favorable Regulatory Framework
The report highlights the key role of the Start-up Act, which has simplified procedures, provided financial incentives, and facilitated access to international networks. Since its launch, 1,165 startups have obtained the Start-up Act label, generating a cumulative turnover of $300 million. In 2024 alone, Tunisian startups raised $24 million through 11 funding operations.
Solid Venture Capital Infrastructure
Tunisia also has a solid venture capital infrastructure, with a 56% increase in the number of active investors in 2024 compared to 2023, reflecting the growing interest of regional and international players in the local ecosystem. The country has ten active venture capital funds, which play a strategic role in financing "early-stage" projects and supporting innovative initiatives.
Key Sectors for Tunisian Startups
The report identifies key sectors where Tunisian startups excel, including:
- Green Economy and Climate-Tech: Tunisia is positioning itself as a regional hub for clean energy, with megaprojects such as the "H2 Notos" green hydrogen project and the "Sahara Green Hydrogen" gas pipeline with a capacity of 8 GW.
- Healthtech: Over 30 Tunisian companies are already innovating in telemedicine, digital therapies, and reproductive health.
- Artificial Intelligence and DeepTech: These sectors are gaining interest among young people and appear to be sectors of the future. The launch of the "AI Innovation Hub" with Nvidia in November 2024 is a key step, and the acquisition of InstaDeep for $682 million has triggered a surge in interest, with over 120 startups specializing in AI, developing Large Language Models or optimizers, and edge computing chips.
Conclusion
The report concludes that this dynamic is further reinforced by the creation of new doctoral programs in machine learning, making Tunisia an attractive destination for technological projects and a hub for innovation in North Africa.
