7th Edition of the "Miqyes" Annual Forum: Barometer on the Health of Tunisian SMEs
The 7th edition of the "Miqyes" annual forum, organized by the Confederation of Tunisian Citizen Entrepreneurs (Conect), presented a barometer on the health of SMEs in Tunisia, based on three key axes: access to financing, human resources, and access to markets.
Key Findings
- 69% of Tunisian SMEs operate exclusively in the local market, highlighting their dependence on the national economy.
- Only 12% of SMEs are exporters, with 57% exporting to Europe and 20% to North Africa.
- 51.1% of SMEs in the industry operate in the B2B sector, with 41.2% conducting their activities exclusively in B2B.
- 64.1% of SMEs reported a profit in 2023, with women-led SMEs achieving an even higher success rate of 71.2%.
Challenges and Opportunities
The survey reveals that SMEs face significant challenges in accessing financing, which hinders their ability to expand their reach and access international markets. To address this, Conect emphasizes the importance of encouraging the emergence of new fintech actors and startups to democratize access to payment solutions and stimulate economic growth, particularly for local SMEs.
Women in SMEs
The survey highlights the growing presence of women in the Tunisian SME sector, with women-led SMEs demonstrating their ability to successfully lead their businesses despite the challenges. This underscores the potential for growth among Tunisian SMEs, provided that adequate financing solutions are put in place to support this dynamic.
Overall, the barometer provides valuable insights into the health of Tunisian SMEs, highlighting both the challenges they face and their potential for growth. By addressing the financing gap and promoting the emergence of new fintech actors, Tunisia can unlock the full potential of its SME sector and drive economic growth.
