New Financial Lever to Support Energy Transition in Tunisia
A new financial lever has been reactivated to support the energy transition in Tunisia. The National Agency for Energy Management (ANME) and the Tunisian Guarantee Company (SOTUGAR) signed a partnership agreement on Thursday, December 18, 2025, to revive the guarantee fund dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
Objective
The objective is clear: to facilitate access to financing for companies that want to invest in energy management and sustainable energy solutions.
Concrete Actions
This agreement allows for the reactivation of the energy efficiency guarantee fund, an existing mechanism that has been underutilized in recent years. The fund is managed by the Tunisian Guarantee Company under an initial agreement concluded with the ANME on September 1, 2004. It was established to secure bank loans for energy projects, reducing the risk borne by banks.
Background
This mechanism was created as part of a pilot energy efficiency project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in cooperation with the World Bank. It aimed to support energy management projects implemented by industrial companies, particularly through energy service companies, a model still little known but strategic for improving the energy performance of companies.
Financial Envelope
Today, the fund has a financial envelope estimated at 15.4 million dinars. Thanks to the new convention, these resources will be reallocated to finance projects related to the energy transition, in the form of medium- and long-term loans. A commitment ceiling will be set to preserve the financial balance and ensure the sustainability of the fund.
Impact
Beyond the numbers, this initiative provides a concrete response to a major obstacle faced by companies: the difficulty in accessing credit for energy projects often perceived as risky or with a deferred return on investment. By guaranteeing part of the loans, the fund reassures banks and encourages private investment in a key sector.
Broader Vision
This relaunch is part of a broader vision to accelerate the transformation of the Tunisian energy system. By supporting energy efficiency and renewable energies, the agreement contributes to reducing energy dependence, controlling costs for companies, and strengthening economic resilience in the face of energy shocks.
