The Tunisian government has launched a program called 'Chams' to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in investing in solar energy production. The program is backed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and aims to provide facilitated and exceptional financing mechanisms for SMEs to produce their own electricity using solar photovoltaic energy. This initiative is expected to help SMEs control their energy costs and enhance their competitiveness in global markets.
According to Naoufel El Boukari, Director General of the National Agency for Energy Management, the 'Chams' program is part of a series of initiatives to support the transition to renewable energy. One of these initiatives is the PROSOL-ELEC program, which has made significant progress with over 150,000 installed systems in low voltage, representing a total capacity of approximately 466 megawatts as of April 2026.
El Boukari made these remarks at the fourth edition of the International Salon for Energy Transition. He also revealed that the evaluation of the sixth tranche of the authorization regime resulted in the approval of 309 requests for solar projects with a total capacity of around 455 megawatts in September 2026. This reflects the growing confidence of the private sector in investing in renewable energies.
The energy transition program in public institutions is also progressing, aiming to cover around 350 establishments. So far, 112 projects have been connected to the low-voltage network, and 47 projects to the medium-voltage network. Additionally, 24.9 megawatts of installed capacities are being finalized for commissioning.
El Boukari emphasized that the next step involves simplifying and accelerating administrative procedures without compromising quality and safety standards. The agency is working to develop networks to increase their capacity to absorb renewable energies, while preparing for emerging challenges such as energy storage, electric mobility, smart grids, and regional energy interconnection.
The Director General of the National Agency for Energy Management called on various economic actors to strengthen coordination, accelerate their work, and establish solid partnerships based on mutual trust. This will enable Tunisia to transform its natural potential and national skills into sustainable achievements.
The 'Chams' program aims to support SMEs in Tunisia, with a goal to target one million families over the next five years. The program is expected to contribute to the country's energy transition and help reduce its reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
Key points
- The 'Chams' program provides facilitated financing mechanisms for SMEs to invest in solar energy production.
- The program aims to support the transition to renewable energy and reduce energy costs for SMEs.
- Over 150,000 solar energy systems have been installed in Tunisia, representing a total capacity of approximately 466 megawatts.
