The Tunisian Ministry of Finance recently concluded a national meeting on the challenges of artificial intelligence and areas of intervention for the ministry. The event, which took place from September 28-30, 2026, brought together approximately 500 participants, including students and representatives from emerging institutions. The meeting aimed to explore the potential of AI in the public finance sector and identify areas for collaboration and innovation.

During the closing ceremony, Mr. Zohair Ataallah, head of the Ministry of Finance's office, emphasized the importance of the ideas and proposals generated during the meeting. He highlighted that the initiative demonstrated the ministry's openness to its external environment and its commitment to engaging with students and emerging institutions. The meeting also featured a hackathon, which was attended by three teams of students and emerging institutions that were selected to present their projects.

The hackathon was designed to encourage participants to develop innovative solutions related to the Ministry of Finance's areas of intervention. Experts from the ministry provided guidance on the fundamental concepts of public finance and explained the key expectations, enabling teams to focus on developing solutions that address the ministry's needs. The winning teams were awarded during the closing ceremony.

Mr. Ataallah also emphasized that the approach adopted by the ministry is aligned with Tunisia's national development plan for 2026-2030. The plan takes into account the rapid pace of digital transformation and the need to integrate these changes into the country's economic development strategy. He noted that the use of AI in areas under the ministry's purview requires a balanced approach that considers both technical and legal aspects.

The meeting was organized in collaboration with several institutions, including the National School of Finance, the National School of Customs, and the Arab Institute for Business Leaders. The event provided a platform for participants to share their ideas and expertise, and to explore opportunities for collaboration and innovation in the field of AI and public finance.

The Ministry of Finance's initiative aims to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the public sector, while also ensuring that the use of AI is aligned with the country's development goals. The meeting demonstrated the ministry's commitment to engaging with stakeholders and exploring new approaches to address the challenges of the future.

The conclusion of the national meeting on AI challenges and intervention areas marks an important step towards promoting innovation and collaboration in the public sector. The Ministry of Finance's efforts to engage with students and emerging institutions are expected to yield new ideas and solutions that can contribute to the country's economic development.

Key points

  • The Ministry of Finance's national meeting on AI challenges and intervention areas highlights the importance of innovation and collaboration in the public sector.
  • The event brought together approximately 500 participants, including students and representatives from emerging institutions.
  • The meeting's outcomes are expected to contribute to Tunisia's national development plan for 2026-2030.

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SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.