Tunisian Financial System Remains Resilient Amid Global Uncertainties

Tunis, August 27 – Members of the Macroprudential Supervision and Financial Crisis Management Committee, convened at the headquarters of the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) under the chairmanship of the Governor, reviewed the current state of the Tunisian financial system. This body is tasked with continuously monitoring risks that could threaten the country’s financial stability.

Strong Capital Adequacy Amidst Global Headwinds

In a global environment characterized by rising geopolitical and economic uncertainties, Tunisian banks are demonstrating resilience. Key indicators highlight a robust capital position:

• Average Solvency Ratio: 15.2%
• Tier 1 Core Capital Ratio: 12.2%

These figures indicate a healthy capital buffer of approximately 5 percentage points above regulatory requirements. Furthermore, sector liquidity remained at a satisfactory level throughout the first half of the year.

Challenges in Credit Growth and Asset Quality

Despite strong capitalization, the credit dynamics present a mixed picture. Over the first six months of the year, outstanding loans grew by only 1.3%, a sluggish pace driven by weak demand from both households and businesses.

Another area of concern is the slight deterioration in portfolio quality. Non-performing loans (NPLs) rose from 14.9% at the end of 2025 to 15.1% by the end of June. Financial authorities have stated they are maintaining heightened vigilance to ensure continued financing of the economy without compromising systemic stability.

SMEs Face Persistent Financing Hurdles

The limited 1.3% credit growth underscores the ongoing difficulties Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and project developers face in accessing financing, even though banks are generally well-capitalized.

In this context, entrepreneurs are advised to strengthen their business cases and diversify their funding sources. Rather than relying solely on traditional banking channels, businesses should consider alternative financing options such as:

• Venture capital
• Participatory financing
• APIA (Agency for the Promotion of Investment) credit lines
• BFPME (Bank for Financing Small and Medium Enterprises) facilities

This diversified approach is essential for sustaining growth in the current economic climate.