As the World Congress of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Comes to a Close in Tunis, the City Has Hosted Over 3,000 Young Leaders from 120 Countries
The 2025 edition of the JCI World Congress, marked by strong participation from Africa and the Middle East, has highlighted a Tunisia in full transformation, driven by innovation, entrepreneurship, and the commitment of its youth.
A Celebration of Leadership, Innovation, and International Cooperation
The JCI World Congress, held in Tunis from November 2 to 8, 2025, has brought together over 3,000 participants from more than 120 countries, celebrating leadership, innovation, and international cooperation. This event takes place at a symbolic moment for Tunisian youth: a connected, educated, and determined generation aiming to build a better future, despite the economic and social challenges facing the country.
A Signal of Hope and a Platform for Cooperation
More than just a gathering, this event is a signal of hope, a platform for cooperation, and a driver of international radiation for Tunisia. Among the Tunisian entrepreneurs present, Ali Koubaa, an engineer by training and an entrepreneur engaged in digital transformation, embodies this new generation of leaders.
A New Generation of Leaders
Koubaa, with his rich experience in digitizing key sectors and supporting young entrepreneurs, is today the co-founder and CEO of Auto Sans Risque, a Tunisian startup labeled since 2023. His mission is to strengthen trust and transparency in the used car market. "Our ambition is to digitize the automotive experience through innovative diagnostic, purchase, and sales services, as well as verified vehicle recommendations," he explains.
Innovations in the Automotive Sector
The Tunisian automotive sector is undergoing rapid change with the digitization of services related to buying, selling, or managing vehicles. Our startup is part of this dynamic, offering a digital platform dedicated to transparency, reliability, and security in the used car market. The goal is to help every motorist make an informed and risk-free decision, thanks to a national network of experts and approved garages highly qualified to perform automotive diagnostics and inspections.
Key Innovations
Among the main innovations are pre-purchase diagnostics to know the real condition of a vehicle before buying, pre-sale diagnostics to valorize a vehicle and inspire confidence, and a global vehicle check to ensure safety and reliability, in addition to a list of recommended cars already verified and certified by partner experts. Thanks to these services, the startup digitizes and makes the entire automotive journey reliable, from inspection to transaction.
Economic Benefits
On an economic level, the Auto Sans Risque model remains profitable and sustainable, based on digitization and a network of partner experts. It allows for reduced operating costs, maintained affordable rates, and innovation without compromising quality.
Tunisia, a Laboratory for Innovation in Africa
Beyond profitability, the startup contributes to structuring and professionalizing the Tunisian automotive sector, creating new growth and employability perspectives, while establishing a positive and sustainable dynamic. Koubaa emphasizes that, despite a still-restricted Tunisian market, Tunisia represents a laboratory for innovation for the African continent. "Our ambition is to make Tunisia an African hub for reliable, connected, and 100% digital automotive solutions."
The Role of Support Structures
Omar Bejaoui, Project Manager of an incubation program, highlights the role of support structures. According to him, "the most effective levers are investing in skill development, supporting entrepreneurship through incubation and access to financing, as well as valuing local value chains." The Tunisia Development Foundation relies on shared-value partnerships, aligning the needs of the private sector with local development objectives, while involving public institutions in co-construction, co-financing, and impact evaluation.
Transforming Socioeconomic Challenges into Drivers of Growth
"Our projects offer young people practical training, entrepreneurial support, and access to local economic opportunities," Bejaoui explains. This approach transforms socioeconomic challenges into drivers of inclusive and sustainable growth.
The Junior Chamber International (JCI) and Its Role
According to Saidou Sanou, Executive Vice President of Junior Chamber International (JCI), an organization that brings together young leaders aged 18 to 40 engaged in positive and sustainable change, "through my responsibilities within JCI, particularly in the Africa and Middle East region, I have been able to support leaders, entrepreneurs, and communities engaged in development, innovation, and social impact projects."
The Power of Youth Entrepreneurship
These experiences have allowed him to see how young entrepreneurs in these regions play a central role in sustainable economic recovery. This youth represents a true force of innovation, adaptation, and creativity. Thanks to JCI, they benefit from a dynamic ecosystem that fosters the development of entrepreneurial skills, strengthens leadership, and amplifies social impact through several emblematic programs.
JCI Programs and Initiatives
Among these programs, "Creative Young Entrepreneur" (CYE) highlights responsible innovation, while "JCI Rise" supports post-crisis economic recovery and community resilience. Additionally, "JCI in Business" is an initiative that connects young entrepreneurs worldwide, along with partnerships with the private sector and financial institutions aimed at facilitating access to financing and regional markets.
Sharing Experiences and Best Practices
By combining technology, green entrepreneurship, and inclusion, these young entrepreneurs contribute to transforming current economic fragility into a more durable, digital, and socially responsible economy. For if Africa and the Middle East share many challenges - youth unemployment, lack of industrialization, regional disparities - they also have immense common potential, driven by the energy, creativity, and resilience of their youth.
Regional Cooperation and Integration
This youth is committed to strengthening interregional cooperation through twinning and inter-organizational partnerships that facilitate the sharing of experiences and best practices. They also implement joint programs focused on inclusive entrepreneurship, peace, and digitalization, such as "JCI Unplugged" or the "Summit of Members and Senators."
Creating an Economic and Human Bridge
In the same dynamic, the development of a regional JCI incubation network aims to support local startups and promote a circular economy adapted to the realities of each territory. The objective is clear: to create an economic and human bridge between Africa and the Middle East, where young people become key actors in integration and regional transformation.
Preparing a New Generation of Visionary Leaders
To achieve this, JCI offers training on digital and ethical leadership, integrating responsible uses of artificial intelligence, leads projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and introduces applied AI modules in social entrepreneurship in national and regional academies. It also facilitates networking with experts from the technological and environmental sectors to strengthen collaboration and innovation with impact.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Saidou Sanou emphasizes that JCI does not limit itself to training leaders for today but prepares a new generation of visionary decision-makers, capable of transforming technological and ecological challenges into concrete opportunities for growth, sustainability, and inclusion.
