In a significant development in Tunisia's media landscape, the country's two prominent press institutions, L'Abras and Dar Es Sabah, have officially merged. The merger, which took effect on October 6, 2026, is part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at ensuring the financial and administrative sustainability of these iconic publications. According to Saced Ben Krim, CEO of Snipe L'Abras, the new entity will operate under unified management.
The merger was formalized following a general meeting between the boards of directors of both institutions, which resulted in Snipe L'Abras assuming management responsibilities for Dar Es Sabah. This move follows the acquisition of Dar Es Sabah's shares by Snipe L'Abras, marking a significant shift in the leadership of Dar Es Sabah, which had been under the control of "Al Karama Holding" since Tunisia's 2010 revolution.
L'Abras and Dar Es Sabah have a rich history in Tunisia's journalism landscape. L'Abras was founded on March 12, 1936, nearly two decades before Tunisia gained independence, and has since been an integral part of the country's media heritage. Dar Es Sabah, established in 1951 by Habib Cheikh Rouhou, has also played a pivotal role in shaping Tunisia's media narrative over the past seven decades.
The merged entity aims to preserve the legacy of both publications while enhancing their operational efficiency. According to Ben Krim, the merger will enable the new entity to better manage production costs and distribution expenses. The integration is also expected to accelerate the digital transformation of both publications, which have already made significant strides in this area.
Despite facing challenges in recent years, Ben Krim expressed optimism about the future of the merged entity. He noted that the print media industry globally has faced similar difficulties but emphasized that the merger will create new opportunities for growth and development. The CEO also reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting the media sector, citing the state's continued financial backing for the publications.
The merger is part of a broader government initiative to restructure and support Tunisia's public media institutions. The effort aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of these publications, which are considered vital components of Tunisia's media landscape and national heritage. The government has pledged to provide financial support and facilitate the digital transition of the merged entity.
The newly formed entity will play a critical role in promoting Tunisia's media sector, with a focus on enhancing governance, modernizing production capabilities, and digitizing archives. The merger is expected to strengthen the institution's ability to continue its operations and maintain its presence in the media landscape.
Key points
- The merger aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of L'Abras and Dar Es Sabah.
- The new entity will operate under unified management.
- The merger is part of a broader government initiative to restructure and support Tunisia's public media institutions.
