Economy Tunisia drafts plan to merge FDI agencies into one By Nadim Kawach February 7, 2025, 4:59 AM Reuters/Ludovic Marin Tunisia's prime minister Kamel Madouri, pictured last year. A draft law to merge foreign investment agencies aims to increase economic growth Supreme Investment Authority planned 7 agencies would merge IMF pushing reforms Tunisia’s government has reviewed plans to increase foreign direct investment by merging various agencies into a new Supreme Investment Authority. The SIA would merge six investment-focused government agencies and the Tunisian Investment Authority, plus various offices at home and abroad, into one, according to the local Alshuruq newspaper. A draft law has been reviewed by prime minister Kamel Madouri and his cabinet, but has yet to receive presidential approval, the report said. The authority’s responsibilities would include guiding investors, issuing investment licenses, resolving problems facing investors and projects, and suggesting investment reforms, according to Alshuruq. The newspaper published a copy of the draft, adding that the president has yet to approve it. The agency would also seek to establish a national digital investment body to include information about projects, investment licences and other services. The plans aim to achieve comprehensive and integrated economic development based on social justice and the creation of wealth, Alshuruq said. Tunisia turns to waste to tackle power supply gap Water scarcity biggest threat to North Africa’s green energy drive Record tourism numbers expected in Tunisia The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has proposed reforms in Tunisia aiming to increase growth, tacke fiscal deficits, create jobs and attract investment. Jihed Azour, director of the Middle East and Central Asia department at the Washington-based IMF, said late last year that there have been signs of improvement in the Tunisian economy but that growth is still low and structural reforms are needed. He estimated 2024 GDP growth at around 1.6 percent, which would be unchanged this year. Its rate for 2025 is set to be the weakest among North African nations, including Algeria (3 percent), Morocco (3.6 percent) and Egypt 4.2 percent. “The Tunisian economy is currently facing major challenges related to the need to create jobs and develop the volume of investment,” Azour said. According to Tunisian Investment Authority data, foreign investment rose by nearly 13 percent in the first half of last year to $453 million, up from $401 million in the same period of 2023.
