TuniChèque: A Steep Decline in Check Processing
Among the figures that marked the weekend, those related to TuniChèque stand out. The number of processed checks reached 20,000, according to data obtained by the Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) from the Central Bank of Tunisia.
For a new platform prepared in a short time, processing this many requests is an achievement. The question, however, lies in the number of processed checks. We're talking about an average of 1,429 checks per day, compared to a daily average of 65,574 checks in 2024. A sharp decline. This reality is the result of several factors.
The first factor is the poor understanding of the platform's functioning. It's essential to consider that check recovery is often done by company couriers who may not always have mobile devices to verify. Often, they're not even authorized to know the check amount, let alone verify before acknowledging receipt. From an operational standpoint, there are already concerns.
The second factor is that many account holders have not yet received their new checkbooks. It will take between 1 and 2 months to get a clear idea of the usage rate of this revised payment instrument. Certainly, the number of check beneficiaries will decrease compared to what it was before February 2, 2025.
The third factor is that many small businesses refuse to accept payments with the new check formula. They demand cash payments. Similarly, they buy from their suppliers in cash. They no longer have the flexibility to manage their operating cycle easily.
The real problem is that we're dealing with structural elements that won't persist. We believe that the era of checks is over. Welcome to the world of trade, which has become the main topic of discussion in the Tunisian business world.
