Tunisian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups are intensifying their efforts to expand across African markets, with support mechanisms and capacity-building initiatives taking center stage at a recent forum in Hammamet, African Manager reported.
The event, organized by incubator Excelity Lab as part of the “Tunisia Boost Up” project under the “Qawafel” program, was funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and designed to help companies position themselves in high-potential African markets.
It provided participants with guidance on support systems and facilitation mechanisms available to them as they pursue international growth.
The Hammamet forum also set the stage for an upcoming exploratory mission to Senegal before the end of the year, building on an earlier visit to Mauritania that resulted in partnerships in construction, civil engineering, training, and technology.
Excelity Lab Executive Director Zakaria Ben Dhia emphasized that markets such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Kenya are also key priorities for Tunisian businesses.
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Participants heard success stories and engaged with public and private experts through workshops covering digital prospecting, regulatory compliance, and export procedures.
The “Tunisia Boost Up” initiative will expand to Sfax and Tunis before year-end to engage more entrepreneurs and highlight the opportunities available in African markets.
The broader Qawafel project, which runs from 2024 to 2025 with €3.8 million in AFD funding, aims to support 140 Tunisian SMEs in high-potential industries while strengthening Tunisia’s economic diplomacy.
Target sectors include construction and subcontracting, healthcare, higher education, training, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, and technology.
The program’s workshops placed strong emphasis on digital tools for exploring markets, including job opportunities and tenders, as well as legal compliance, authentication, certification, and product qualification.
Additional sessions on export channels and market entry will be held in multiple regions, including Sfax and Tunis, before the end of the year.
According to organizers, the initiative also seeks to raise institutional awareness of the benefits of opening up to African markets, highlighting their potential to generate foreign currency revenues while boosting Tunisian expertise and skills.
The Qawafel project is designed to strengthen private intermediary institutions that assist young entrepreneurs, particularly girls and women, in entering new markets, with a strong focus on opportunities within Africa.
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Image Credit: African Business
