Stephan Orivel Reflects on Four Years of Expertise France in Tunisia and Libya
After four years at the helm of Expertise France in Tunisia and Libya, Stephan Orivel has taken stock of the projects undertaken in several strategic sectors, ranging from innovation to health, education, governance, and youth and women's entrepreneurship.
During a ceremony organized by the French Embassy in Tunisia, French Ambassador Anne Guéguen praised Orivel's "remarkable career" marked by nearly twenty years of experience in Asia and Africa, particularly in Bangkok, Tokyo, Beijing, and Abidjan, before his arrival in Tunis. She recalled that Stéphane Orivel had first worked in the field of educational cooperation and Francophonie before joining Expertise France after the agency's creation in 2015. "The priority is to serve Tunisia, its strategies, and its development," she quoted Orivel as saying.
The Ambassador highlighted that the Tunisian office of Expertise France is now "the largest office of the agency outside of France," with between 105 and 140 employees and a portfolio of projects covering employment, health, education, ecological transition, civil protection, and human mobility. She also showcased several projects developed in Tunisia, including the Innov'i program, funded by the European Union, which has supported Tunisia's innovation strategy for five years. According to the figures presented, over 1,150 startups have been supported across the country, 150 technical assistance missions have been carried out, and 1,500 young people have been introduced to entrepreneurship. Other programs, such as Greenov'i for the green transition of companies, were also mentioned.
In his speech, Stephan Orivel estimated that "the wealth of Expertise France lies in its methods and its ability to work with a wide range of actors." He emphasized cooperation with Tunisian ministries, local authorities, universities, private sector actors, and civil society. Orivel also presented several indicators on the actions taken in recent years. "Since 2023, over 2,300 people have been supported towards employment or entrepreneurship, particularly women and young people in the regions," he stated.
He added that "over 3,600 companies have benefited from technical or financial support" in areas related to business creation, development, digitalization, or ecological transition. According to him, over 3,000 public officials have also participated in training sessions, workshops, or study visits organized as part of the various projects.
Stephan Orivel also emphasized projects related to human mobility, public governance reform, health, and education. In the cultural field, he mentioned the "Patrimoine 3000" project, which supports the Ministry of Cultural Affairs in the rehabilitation and enhancement of Tunisia's heritage, particularly at the Carthage Museum. He also mentioned the work undertaken at the Hammam-Lif casino and other heritage projects in preparation.
The Director of Expertise France Tunisia-Libya finally paid tribute to "the quality and commitment" of Tunisian partners, particularly praising the public administration, civil society, and Tunisian entrepreneurs. "Our partners are present in all 24 governorates," he affirmed, estimating that this diversity constitutes "the main wealth" of the projects carried out in Tunisia.
