Check Usage in Tunisia: 230 Million Transactions in 2024
During a press conference held today at the Central Bank of Tunisia, Nizar Chaddad, Director General of Payments and Financial Inclusion at the BCT, revealed the key figures for check usage in the country. In 2024, there were no less than 230 million check transactions, representing a total amount of 272 billion dinars.
These figures demonstrate the prominent place that checks still occupy in Tunisians' payment habits. With 48% of the total transaction volume, checks far surpass other payment methods, such as wire transfers (21%), direct debits (9%), and card payments (10%).
However, this popularity of checks is not without its drawbacks. Their processing generates significant costs for banks and businesses, not to mention the risks of bounced checks that weigh on economic actors. Furthermore, the sometimes lengthy processing times can slow down transactions and hinder the efficiency of exchanges. Additionally, security and fraud issues have posed significant challenges.
Aware of these challenges, the BCT officially announced the launch of the TuniChèque platform. This initiative aims to secure transactions, accelerate their processing, and encourage the emergence of alternative payment methods.
TuniChèque is designed to be a tool for modernizing payments. It will enable users to verify the validity of a check, ensure the availability of funds, and track the status of a transaction in real-time. These features should facilitate the transition to more modern and efficient payment methods.
Nizar Chaddad highlighted during his intervention that user cases will be treated on a case-by-case basis, particularly for wholesalers and merchants. It is worth noting that to access the application and create an account, users only need to provide their phone number and a password. The platform also offers its services in three languages (Arabic, French, and English).
