Tunisia's Energy Sovereignty: A Strategic Imperative
Tunisia can no longer delay its choice of energy sovereignty. With over 60% dependence on external sources, a potential doubling of electricity demand in 15 years, and increasing international climate requirements, the Tunisian Republic is at a crossroads. It was in this context of urgency that a panel discussion was held on May 21, 2026, in Tunis, as part of the 27th edition of the Maghreb Economist Forum. The panel, titled "The Strategic Imperative of Renewable Energies in Tunisia: Volatility of Hydrocarbon Prices and Low-Carbon Transition," brought together four experts and was moderated by Serge Degallaix, Senior Advisor at EQUITIX.
A Diagnostic Without Concession
Serge Degallaix presented a diagnostic without concession, recalling that 30 years ago, Tunisia was self-sufficient in energy. Today, half of the country's trade deficit is due to energy imports, and energy subsidies represent the largest budget item. "These are formidable challenges," he observed, emphasizing that the financial challenge to achieve the goal of 35% renewable energy in the electricity mix by 2030 is estimated in billions of dollars, in addition to network, stabilization, and management investments.
Expert Insights
- Afef Jaafar, Advisor to the Secretary of State for Energy Transition, Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy, confirmed the government's commitment to the transition: several hundred megawatts are now installed under various renewable energy production regimes, and new projects are awaiting parliamentary approval. "It will have to accelerate, given the constraints Tunisia is facing," she insisted.
- Olfa Chammari, Director of Strategic Planning and Management Control at CDC, highlighted the magnitude of the necessary investments, estimated at several tens of billions of dollars by 2030, according to Tunisia's climate commitments. The Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations aims to play a catalyzing role in mobilizing the private sector through innovative financing mechanisms and impact investment logic. "It's no longer a choice," she stated.
- Rami Elgolli, International Consultant in Green Energy, Carbon Accounting, and Auditor 50001, shed light on the implications of the European Union's carbon border adjustment mechanism for Tunisian companies. This mechanism, which is shifting from a declaratory to a fiscalized regime, will extend beyond the six currently affected sectors and represents a competitiveness lever for exporters who have anticipated their decarbonization.
- Hajer Chekir, Commercial Director of BYD Tunisia, placed electric vehicles in a systemic perspective, highlighting their potential as an energy storage resource for grid balance. The first market trends in Tunisia demonstrate a nascent but real dynamic, driven by an incentive regulatory framework that the director welcomed.
A Conviction Imposed
At the end of this dense and prospective debate, a conviction emerged among all participants: Tunisia's energy transition can only succeed through close coordination between the state, financial institutions, private operators, and international partners. This is an imperative of coalition as much as political will.
Full Coverage
The full coverage of the panel will be published in the next issue of L'Économiste Maghrébin, available in kiosks from June 3 to 17, 2027.
