Tunisia has surpassed the threshold of 400 import and export operations carried out under the African Continental Free Trade Area (ZLECAf) agreement. This was announced by Samir Abid, Minister of Trade, on October 6, 2026. While this confirms operational activity around the agreement, it does not provide insight into the economic impact of these operations. The milestone marks progress in the implementation of the ZLECAf agreement, which aims to create a single, large market for African countries.
The Tunisian journey in the ZLECAf began with the launch of the Guided Trade Initiative in October 2022, followed by the start of using ZLECAf certificates of origin in 2023. According to a report published by a project conducted with the Ministry of Trade, the first ZLECAf certificate of origin was issued by the Tunis Chamber of Commerce and Industry on May 25, 2023. Eight Tunisian chambers of commerce and industry are authorized to issue these certificates when products meet the agreement's rules of origin.
While over 400 operations have been recorded, it is essential to note that this number does not necessarily represent 400 companies, as a single company can carry out multiple transactions. In April 2026, Minister Abid reported nearly 400 Tunisian export operations under ZLECAf, primarily in mechanical and electronic components, textiles, and food industries. The latest figure includes both import and export operations, but the lack of a homogeneous statistical series and precise scope makes it challenging to measure progress between the two announcements.
The most critical piece of information missing is the financial value of these operations. Public sources do not provide an aggregated amount for the over 400 operations. Additionally, details on the share of exports and imports, the number of companies involved, primary products, destinations and origins, and the tariff savings achieved through the preferential regime are still unknown. The Ministry of Trade, CEPEX, and customs administrations will need to provide this information to assess the actual contribution of ZLECAf to Tunisia's commercial diversification.
To evaluate the real impact of ZLECAf on Tunisia's trade, the next key indicator will be the value of these operations, their composition, and their concentration by company and market. Two sets of 400 transactions can have vastly different economic realities, emphasizing the need for more detailed information. The agreement's success will depend on its ability to generate significant economic benefits for Tunisian companies and the country as a whole.
The ZLECAf agreement is a crucial step towards creating a unified African market, with 55 countries signing the agreement. Tunisia's participation in the agreement offers opportunities for companies to expand their exports and imports within the African continent. However, to fully leverage these opportunities, Tunisian companies will need to adapt to the new rules of origin and navigate the complexities of the agreement.
As Tunisia continues to implement the ZLECAf agreement, stakeholders will be closely monitoring the development of trade operations and their economic impact. The availability of detailed statistics and information on the operations will be essential in assessing the agreement's effectiveness and identifying areas for improvement. With the right data, policymakers and businesses can make informed decisions to maximize the benefits of the ZLECAf agreement for Tunisia.
Key points
- Over 400 import and export operations have been carried out under the ZLECAf agreement.
- The value of these operations remains unknown, making it challenging to assess their economic impact.
- The next key indicator for the agreement's success will be the value, composition, and concentration of these operations by company and market.
