Tunisia has completed over 400 trade operations, including exports and imports, under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, also known as the "Zlecraf" agreement. This was announced by Tunisian Minister of Trade and Export Development, Samir Obaid, on Tuesday in Tunis. Obaid stated that Tunisia issued its first certificate of origin under the agreement in May 2023, after completing the required conditions and procedures.
Obaid emphasized that Tunisia is committed to expanding the use of AfCFTA mechanisms and turning them into greater trade and economic movement. He highlighted the importance of the private sector as the primary beneficiary of the agreement and a key partner in its construction and implementation. The minister also mentioned that Tunisia is working to use AfCFTA mechanisms with several member states that have not yet ratified the agreement.
The AfCFTA agreement aims to create a single, large market for African countries, increasing economic integration and trade among member states. Tunisia is committed to using the agreement's mechanisms to increase its trade with other African countries. Obaid stated that his country's responsibility is to expand the use of these mechanisms and turn them into greater trade and economic movement.
A four-day program, "Support Program for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Regional Batch for North Africa," was launched in Tunis to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in using AfCFTA mechanisms. The program brings together representatives of the private sector and SMEs from Tunisia and several other countries in North Africa.
The program aims to provide more information on the requirements of the AfCFTA agreement and the opportunities it offers to economic operators. It also seeks to support SMEs in increasing their exports and imports under the agreement. Obaid stated that Tunisia is committed to listening to the concerns of SMEs that have started exporting or importing under the agreement.
Tunisia's relations with Africa represent a "constant strategic choice" in its economic and trade policy. The country aims to make itself a platform for economic and trade communication between African institutions and to contribute to building a more integrated and dynamic African market. Tunisia will continue to support initiatives that bring together the African private sector.
The country will host several events, including the fourth edition of the Tunisian-African Business Meetings on December 9-10, 2026, and the first edition of the "Africa First Expo" from November 5-7, 2026. These events aim to promote trade and investment between Tunisia and other African countries.
Key points
- Tunisia has completed over 400 trade operations under the AfCFTA agreement.
- The country aims to expand the use of AfCFTA mechanisms and increase its trade with other African countries.
- Tunisia will host several events to promote trade and investment between Tunisia and other African countries.
