Tunisia is looking to enhance its cooperation with the World Bank, aligning with its national development priorities. On September 23, 2026, Economy and Planning Minister Samir Abdelhafidh met with Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiaye, World Bank regional director for the Maghreb and Malta, in Tunis. They discussed the current state of cooperation between Tunisia and the World Bank, as well as future prospects for development. Abdelhafidh emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation to support Tunisia's national priorities.
The meeting also covered cooperation with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), with Abdelhafidh stressing the importance of supporting the private sector and improving the business climate in Tunisia. Ndiaye reaffirmed the World Bank's commitment to accompanying Tunisia in its reforms and development projects. He noted that the institution is willing to expand cooperation with Tunisia through the next partnership program, which will be aligned with the country's national priorities.
Abdelhafidh highlighted several priority sectors, including water, energy, healthcare, and social protection. He also discussed the possibility of extending cooperation to infrastructure projects, given their importance in the new development plan. Ndiaye acknowledged the resilience of the Tunisian economy in the face of external shocks and global economic challenges, suggesting that this resilience could lead to a gradual economic recovery.
Ary Naim, recently appointed IFC director for North Africa and the Horn of Africa, confirmed the IFC's willingness to strengthen its financial and technical cooperation with Tunisia, particularly in supporting the private sector. He discussed opportunities for cooperation related to improving the business climate and supporting companies in their development and expansion projects.
The meeting allowed both parties to reaffirm their commitment to pursuing and strengthening their partnership, focusing on Tunisia's development priorities for 2026-2030. The discussions demonstrated a shared desire to enhance cooperation and support Tunisia's economic development. The World Bank and IFC are expected to play a significant role in supporting Tunisia's development plans.
The cooperation between Tunisia and the World Bank has been ongoing, with various programs and projects currently in progress. The two parties are expected to work together to identify new areas of cooperation and develop strategies for implementation. This partnership aims to support Tunisia's economic growth and development.
The World Bank's engagement with Tunisia reflects the institution's commitment to supporting the country's development goals. The bank's support is expected to contribute to Tunisia's efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth and improve living standards for its citizens. The enhanced cooperation is anticipated to have a positive impact on Tunisia's economy and society.
Key points
- Tunisia seeks to expand cooperation with the World Bank to priority sectors, including water, energy, and healthcare.
- The cooperation aims to support Tunisia's national development priorities, as outlined in its 2026-2030 development plan.
- The World Bank and IFC have expressed their commitment to supporting Tunisia's economic development and reforms.
