Central Bank of Tunisia Sets Preferential Interest Rate for Community-Based Companies
The Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) has announced, through circular n°2025-14, the establishment of a preferential interest rate for loans granted by banks from their own resources to community-based companies. These rates must not exceed the market interest rate plus a maximum profit margin of 1%.
Decision Context
This decision, made by the Governor of the BCT, is part of the implementation of Decree-Law n°2022-15 of March 20, 2022, related to community-based companies, as amended by Decree-Law n°2025-3 of October 2, 2025. The objective is to encourage the financing of these economic structures with a social and solidarity vocation, by facilitating their access to credit on more favorable terms.
Key Points of the Circular
- The circular specifies that these loans only concern financing granted from the banks' own resources and not from the Central Bank's refinancing lines.
- It is based on the favorable opinion of the compliance control committee, issued on November 3, 2025, in accordance with Article 42 of Law n°2016-35 related to the status of the BCT.
- The measure comes into effect immediately upon publication and marks a new step in the BCT's support for the community economy, a sector that is expanding rapidly in Tunisia.
- It aims to strengthen the participation of banks in regional development and the promotion of inclusive economic models.
