Official Report Highlights Inefficiencies in Tunisian Public Investment Projects
A recent official report by the IACE, presented on Thursday, July 23, at a conference in Tunis, provides a candid assessment of Tunisian public investment projects. The report, titled "Evaluation of Governance and Transparency Practices in Public Investment Projects in Tunisia," reveals that the effectiveness of these projects depends more on the quality of their governance, preparation, and monitoring than on the allocated amount.
Key Findings
- The report highlights significant challenges facing the 14,624 new projects included in the 2026 development plan, including:
- Unresolved land guarantees
- Delayed authorizations
- Incomplete studies
- Virtually absent financing
- As a result, many of the 6,476 ongoing projects are stalled or have been postponed indefinitely.
- The report also emphasizes the need for strengthened contractual frameworks to ensure the execution of the 74 public-private partnership (PPP) projects, which account for nearly one-tenth of the total programmed envelope.
Expert Insights
Ahmed Guidara, a public finance expert, cited three completed pilot megaprojects as examples, including a road project and a transportation infrastructure with 19 stations and 190 rehabilitated access points. He noted that:
- Feasibility studies often lack precision
- Administrative coordination and public agencies struggle to work together after project launch
- One of these projects was launched in 2007 and is still pending delivery in 2023, resulting in a 16-year delay
Implications for Project Stakeholders
The report sends a strong signal to project stakeholders, as Tunisia prepares its 2026-2030 development plan with nearly 21,000 projects. The IACE advocates for standardized and internationally compliant arbitration criteria to:
- Improve visibility and clarity in managing large-scale projects
- Reduce uncertainty surrounding investment
- Provide clearer entry points for the 74 identified PPP projects
By addressing these challenges and implementing more effective governance and transparency practices, Tunisia can unlock the full potential of its public investment projects and drive sustainable development.
