On September 25, 2026, Tunisian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Mondher Belaid met with World Bank Regional Director for the Maghreb and Malta Ahmedou Moustafa Ndiaye to discuss ongoing and future cooperation projects in higher education and scientific research. The meeting focused on enhancing collaboration between the two parties. Their talks covered various initiatives aimed at improving the quality of higher education and research in Tunisia. The World Bank expressed its willingness to support Tunisia's higher education sector.
During the meeting, Ndiaye emphasized the World Bank's commitment to supporting Tunisia's policies and strategic projects. The goal is to facilitate the integration of higher education graduates into the job market. The World Bank's support will focus on creating opportunities for young graduates. This cooperation aims to address employment challenges in Tunisia. The two parties also discussed expanding their partnership to new areas.
The World Bank and Tunisia are set to broaden their collaboration to include strategic areas such as renewable energy and digital transformation. This expansion reflects the evolving needs of Tunisia's economy and society. The partnership's extension will help Tunisia address pressing challenges. The two parties acknowledged the positive outcomes of their existing cooperation. Several strategic projects have been implemented under the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
The cooperation between Tunisia and the World Bank has yielded significant results, particularly in improving the quality of higher education and scientific research. Tunisian universities have seen a notable increase in their international rankings. This achievement demonstrates the effectiveness of their collaborative efforts. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Fatma Nechi, Director of Cabinet for the Minister of Higher Education.
Also present at the meeting was Himdat Iqbal Bayusuf, an education and skills development expert at the World Bank for West and Central Africa. The officials discussed ongoing projects financed by the World Bank. They reviewed progress and explored new avenues for cooperation. The collaboration aims to enhance education and employability in Tunisia.
The partnership between Tunisia and the World Bank focuses on addressing key challenges in the higher education sector. The World Bank's support will help Tunisia implement reforms and improve its education system. This cooperation reflects the commitment of both parties to investing in human capital. The meeting highlighted the importance of education in Tunisia's development.
The strengthened cooperation between Tunisia and the World Bank is expected to have a positive impact on the country's higher education sector. The partnership will contribute to the development of a skilled workforce. This, in turn, will help drive economic growth and improve living standards in Tunisia.
Key points
- The World Bank will support Tunisia's policy and strategic projects in higher education to facilitate graduates' integration into the job market.
- The partnership between Tunisia and the World Bank will expand to include renewable energy and digital transformation.
- Tunisian universities have seen a notable increase in their international rankings due to cooperation with the World Bank.
