The Roadshow "Startups & Innovative SMEs" made a stop in Monastir on October 6, 2026, to present financing instruments to entrepreneurs and small business owners. The program, funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) in collaboration with Smart Capital, aims to bring entrepreneurs closer to financing and support mechanisms. The roadshow will also visit Gafsa on October 22 and Zarzis on October 23.
The program presents several financing instruments, including ANAVA and Child Funds, which support startup financing, as well as InnovaTech for innovative SMEs. According to Nejia Gharbi, Director General of the CDC, over 75 startups have already benefited from financing. The CDC has set a goal of financing 230 startups and SMEs by the end of 2028. However, the current figure does not provide information on the geographical distribution of the financing.
To assess the regional dimension of the program, it is essential to know the number of enterprises already financed by governorate. This information would help determine if the geographical distribution of financing is progressing or if most of the capital remains concentrated in a few hubs. The Monastir stop is part of a larger effort to promote financing for startups and SMEs across the country.
The roadshow's presence in Monastir demonstrates the program's territorial reach, but a more detailed analysis would require additional indicators, such as the governorate where beneficiaries are located, their sector of activity, the amount invested, the jobs associated with the financing, and the stage of development at the time of financing.
A detailed mapping of the financing would allow for a comparison of the geography of events and the capital actually invested. For the regions, the challenge is not only to host investors and learn about the available instruments but also to measure if the capital financing follows the same path as the roadshow over time.
The CDC's goal is to support the development of startups and SMEs across the country, and the roadshow is an essential part of this effort. By providing financing and support mechanisms, the program aims to promote economic growth and job creation in Tunisia.
The program's success will depend on its ability to reach entrepreneurs and small business owners outside major economic hubs and provide them with the financing and support they need to grow and succeed. With over 75 startups already financed, the program is off to a strong start, but its long-term impact will depend on its continued ability to adapt to the needs of Tunisia's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Key points
- Over 75 startups have already benefited from financing through the CDC's program.
- The CDC aims to finance 230 startups and SMEs by the end of 2028.
- The program's success will depend on its ability to reach entrepreneurs and small business owners outside major economic hubs.
