AGP Executive Report

Infrastructure & Energy: Tunisia’s President Kaïs Saïed said recent water and electricity cuts were driven by “deliberate acts,” not technical failures, after incidents hit several regions during peak summer demand, with SONEDE and STEG urged to deliver concrete measures. Industrial Power & Reform: A separate report on STEG highlights how the once-successful state electricity model is now under strain from rising demand, network pressure and financial limits. Payments & Cash Economy: ARP lawmaker Issam Chouchen warned that Tunisia’s cheque law has harmed the economy, boosting cash in circulation beyond 30 billion dinars and feeding the informal market. Consumer & Manufacturing Investment: Varun Beverages plans to enter Tunisia via a JV (75% Varun, 25% Bevanda) to produce and distribute soft drinks, juices, bottled water and dairy, pending approvals. Agribusiness & Exports: Tunisia’s date sector gets a boost in Tataouine, with 100–150 tons expected from about 70 farms as an irrigated agricultural hub project moves forward. Industry Strategy: Tunisia’s Industry and Minerals minister met KPMG to develop sector strategies, industrial zones, investment mapping and value chains. Mining & Environment: IPC opposes the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate project, citing environmental, social and public health concerns. Waste-to-Energy: ANGed and UN-Habitat are pushing waste recovery-to-energy projects and training to strengthen circular-economy capacity.

Infrastructure & Energy Tensions: Tunisia’s President Kaïs Saïed said recent water and electricity cuts across regions were driven by “deliberate acts,” not technical failures, after investigations, warning of attempts to inflame the situation and promising concrete measures. Payments & Cash Economy: Issam Chouchen criticized Tunisia’s cheque law for harming the economy, saying it helped push cash in circulation beyond 30 billion dinars and expanded the informal market. Industrial Partnerships: Tunisia’s Industry and Minerals minister met KPMG Tunisia to develop strategies for industry and mining, including investment mapping, industrial zones, value chains, and better factory efficiency. Consumer Goods Investment: Varun Beverages plans to enter Tunisia via a JV (75% Varun, 25% Bevanda) to produce and distribute soft drinks, juices, bottled water and dairy, pending approvals. Agri-Production Push: Tataouine date farming is scaling up, with 100–150 tons expected from about 70 farms and a 1,000-hectare irrigated hub project underway. Mobility & Tourism Services: SIXT launches in Tunisia through a Tunifleet partnership, starting at three airports with rentals, leasing and chauffeur services, and expanding from 2027 to Djerba. Regional Climate Governance: Africa’s drought push for a binding UN protocol was deferred from Mongolia to talks in Egypt in two years, with Tunisian negotiators backing a proactive, finance-linked approach. Security Spillover: Morocco faced another data leak, with hackers posting spreadsheets allegedly listing tens of thousands of security and intelligence personnel.

Energy & Infrastructure Tensions: Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed said recent water and electricity cuts were driven by “deliberate acts” meant to inflame unrest, after meetings with STEG and SONEDE leaders, warning that concrete measures are coming. Power Sector Pressure: A separate report revisits STEG’s role since 1962 and asks whether today’s outages reflect failure or a lack of adaptation to new demand and financial constraints. Mobility & Tourism Investment: SIXT is entering Tunisia via a Tunifleet franchise, launching at Tunis-Carthage, Monastir and Enfidha-Hammamet, with plans to expand to Djerba in 2027 and add leasing, commercial vehicles and chauffeur services. Beverages Manufacturing Push: Varun Beverages plans a Tunisia joint venture (75% Varun, 25% Bevanda) to produce and distribute soft drinks, juices, bottled water and dairy, pending approvals. Agri-Exports & Supply Shifts: Tunisian date exporters expect an earlier Deglet Nour season and are pivoting toward Asia as Morocco’s import quotas tighten. Industry Planning: Tunisia’s Industry and Minerals minister met KPMG Tunisia to develop strategies and investment mapping for industry and mining, including value chains and industrial zones. Cash Economy Watch: Tunisia’s cash in circulation hit a record 30 billion dinars, highlighting liquidity pressure and the ongoing dominance of cash.

Energy & Water Crisis: Tunisian President Kais Saied said recent water and electricity cuts were driven by “deliberate acts,” not technical failures, after a meeting with STEG and SONEDE leaders, warning that disruptions aim to “inflame the situation” and promising concrete measures. Power Utility Under Pressure: A new look at STEG traces how the state electricity-and-gas model once expanded access nationwide, but now faces criticism over outages, network strain, rising demand and financial constraints. Transport & Mobility: SIXT is entering Tunisia via a Tunifleet partnership, launching car rental operations at Tunis-Carthage, Monastir and Enfidha-Hammamet, with a Djerba branch planned for 2027 and services spanning rentals, leasing and chauffeur-driven options. Consumer Goods Investment: Varun Beverages (PepsiCo bottler) plans a Tunisia joint venture (75% Varun, 25% Bevanda) to produce and distribute soft drinks, juices, bottled water and dairy, pending approvals. Industry Planning: Tunisia’s Industry and Minerals minister met KPMG Tunisia to develop strategies and investment mapping for industry and mining, including industrial zones and value chains. Agri-Exports Watch: Tataouine date output is estimated at 100–150 tons from about 70 farms, as an irrigated palm-and-olive hub project moves forward; exporters also warn Morocco’s date import restrictions may keep demand weak into the next season. Trade Balance Detail: A trade analysis flags industrial metals—especially copper and steel—as a major hidden driver of Tunisia’s deficit, with copper price effects outweighing volume changes. Cash Economy Signal: Tunisia’s cash in circulation hit a record 30 billion dinars, highlighting liquidity pressure and the continued weight of cash in daily transactions.

Industry Policy & Mining: Tunisia’s Industry and Minerals minister met KPMG Tunisia to map cooperation on industrial strategies, investment opportunities, industrial zones, value chains and mineral-resource studies, aiming to turn plans into implementable programmes. Energy & Utilities: President Kaïs Saïed said investigations show recent water and electricity cuts in several regions were “deliberate acts,” while STEG warned it may resort to rotating power cuts in Greater Tunis and other regions between 10:00 p.m. and midnight. Agri-Exports: Tunisian Deglet Nour date exporters expect an earlier season start but face continued Moroccan restrictions, pushing them to diversify toward Asian markets. Trade & Manufacturing: A look at Tunisia’s foreign trade deficit highlights industrial metals—especially copper and steel—as a major, often overlooked driver, with copper’s deficit linked more to price shocks than volume. Cash & Payments: Tunisia hit a record 30 billion dinars in banknotes and coins in circulation, reflecting summer liquidity pressure and the continued weight of cash in daily transactions. Local Business & Tourism: La Goulette’s Fish Festival brings traffic closures and direct producer-to-consumer fish sales, blending maritime heritage with summer activity. Tech & Services: A Tunisian in France launched Handimap to centralize and quickly locate accessible parking for people with reduced mobility across France.

Cash & Payments: Tunisia hit a record 30 billion dinars in banknotes and coins in circulation, a sign of mounting liquidity pressure and the continued weight of cash in daily life. Power & Utilities: STEG warned of possible rotating power cuts in Greater Tunis, the South-West and parts of the South, with outages between 10:00 p.m. and midnight. Trade & Industry Metals: Tunisia’s trade deficit worsened in the first seven months of 2026, with industrial metals—especially copper—standing out as a “blind spot” driven more by price shocks than volume. Agri Exports: Tunisian Deglet Nour date exporters plan an earlier-than-usual campaign end-September, but are shifting toward Asia as Morocco’s quota restrictions tighten. Food Supply Chain: Tunisian date and dried fruit traders report steady demand despite heat, while farmers elsewhere face fertiliser squeeze tied to distribution failures. Local Business & Tourism: La Goulette is closing Franklin Roosevelt Avenue for its Fish Festival, pushing producer-to-consumer fish sales and street activity. Corporate Moves Linked to Tunisia: Varun Beverages’ expansion includes a Tunisia JV to produce carbonated soft drinks, juices, water and dairy—another sign of continued investment interest in Tunisian beverage manufacturing.

Heat & Power Watch: STEG warned it may trigger rolling power cuts between 10:00 p.m. and midnight, intermittently and for up to two hours, across parts of Greater Tunis, the South-West, Gabès and Djerba as the grid faces pressure. Wildfire Risk: Civil Protection also issued a heatwave alert, urging people to avoid lighting fires near forests and farmland, not burn crop residues, and to report smoke immediately. Fertiliser Crunch: Farmers say fertiliser is hard to find and being sold above official prices during the Aman season, pointing to distribution failures; the government insists stocks are adequate and approved more imports while forming a fertiliser coordination committee. Industrial Expansion: Leoni Tunisia confirmed continued expansion projects, highlighting its long-running automotive electrical cable operations and local jobs. Construction Finance Reform (Nigeria): Mixta Africa welcomed Nigeria’s proposed housing regulation push—licensing, escrow protection and independent milestone verification—to reduce buyer risk and unlock better construction finance. Tunisia Business Deal: Varun Beverages’ PepsiCo bottler plans a Tunisia joint venture to manufacture and distribute carbonated soft drinks, juices, water and dairy. Mobility Tech (France): Tunisian entrepreneur Chouaieb Nemri launched Handimap to locate verified accessible parking spaces for people with reduced mobility across France.

Energy Reliability Watch: STEG warns it may impose rotating power cuts between 10:00 p.m. and midnight, intermittently and for up to two hours, listing affected areas across Greater Tunis, the South-West, Gabès and Djerba. Heatwave & Fire Risk: Tunisia’s Agriculture Ministry urges farmers, breeders and fishermen to protect livestock and manage irrigation as temperatures hit 42–48°C, while Civil Protection flags a higher wildfire risk and calls for strict fire prevention. Automotive Supply Chain: Leoni Group confirms continued expansion projects after meeting Tunisia’s Industry, Mines and Energy acting head, highlighting its long-running cable manufacturing footprint and ~30,000 jobs. Textile Industry Update: Tunisia’s textile federation (FTTH) disputes claims that power cuts caused a four-month delay, saying disruptions were partial for about 10 days and the bigger issue was late fabric delivery by the contracting client. Cash Economy Shift: Tunisia’s cash in circulation keeps climbing, with banknotes and coins surpassing 30 billion dinars, raising liquidity concerns for banks as cheque use declines. Regional Industry Context: World steel output dips slightly in July 2026, while Tunisia remains in the global reporting set.

Heat & Fire Risk: Tunisia’s Civil Protection warns of a new heatwave starting Tuesday, Aug. 25, with temperatures expected at 40–45°C and possibly up to 48°C, raising wildfire danger in forested and agricultural areas; residents are urged not to light fires, burn waste or crop residues, or throw cigarette butts, and to call 198 if smoke or flames appear. Power & Industry Impact: STEG is also considering rolling power cuts in several regions (Greater Tunis, Cap Bon, Zaghouan, Bizerte and others) from 10 p.m. to midnight to balance grid supply and demand—an issue that matters for factories and supply chains. Textiles Under Scrutiny: Tunisia’s textile federation (FTTH) rejects claims that a four-month delay was caused by power outages, saying disruptions were partial for about 10 days and that the real problem was late delivery of fabrics by the contracting client. Cash Economy Watch: Tunisia’s cash in circulation keeps climbing, crossing the 30 billion-dinar mark in August, a trend that can tighten bank liquidity as more spending shifts from accounts to physical money. Health Infrastructure: A China-aided oncology center in Gabès is set to begin construction Aug. 31, costing about TND 33 million and covering radiotherapy, chemotherapy, labs and inpatient/day-hospital services. Agri-Exports: Tunisian olive oil exports rose 55% in the first nine months of the 2025/26 campaign to 368,000 tons, bringing revenues to TND 4.605 billion.

Cash & Payments: Tunisia’s cash economy hit a new high as banknotes and coins in circulation reached 30.040 billion dinars on Aug. 21, up 16% year-on-year, with the central bank linking the surge to seasonal spending and tougher cheque rules that keep more money outside bank accounts. Power & Risk Management: STEG warned it may use rolling power cuts in several Greater Tunis and coastal areas from 10 p.m. to midnight, while Civil Protection flagged a heatwave (40°C–45°C) that raises wildfire risk and urged people to avoid lighting fires near forests and farmland. Textiles: The Tunisian Textile and Clothing Federation (FTTH) pushed back on claims of a four-month delay caused by outages, saying electricity disruptions were partial for about 10 days and that the real issue was late fabric delivery by the contracting client (over three months). Healthcare Infrastructure: A China-aided oncology center in Gabès was launched (TND 33 million), covering radiotherapy, chemotherapy, pathology and inpatient/day-hospital services. Agri-Exports: Tunisian olive oil exports rose 55.3% to 368,000 tons in the first nine months of 2025/26, bringing about TND 4.605 billion, with extra-virgin oil dominating and the EU still the main destination. Land Administration: From Nov. 1, mandatory cadastral surveys will begin in Kasserine, Mahdia, Jendouba, Médenine, Sfax and Gabès for unregistered, undeveloped properties.

Heat & Fire Risk: Tunisia’s Civil Protection warns of a new heatwave from Tuesday, Aug. 25, with temperatures expected to hit 40°C–45°C, raising wildfire risk in forested and agricultural areas. Cash & Payments: Central Bank data shows banknotes and coins in circulation at 30.040 billion dinars as of Aug. 21, up year-on-year by 16%, while cash withdrawals still dominate electronic payments. Energy & Renewables: Norway’s Scatec says Q2 revenue rose 4% YoY to NOK1.37bn, but profit fell on higher financing costs—another signal for investors watching renewables financing. Olive Oil Exports: Tunisia’s olive oil exports jumped 55.3% to 368,000 tons in the first nine months of 2025/26, bringing TND 4.605bn (up 44.4%); extra-virgin made up 83.6% of volumes. Health & Infrastructure: A China-aided cancer treatment center project broke ground in Gabès, aiming to expand local radiotherapy and day-hospital services. Land Administration: From Nov. 1, mandatory cadastral surveys will start in Kasserine, Mahdia, Jendouba, Médenine, Sfax and Gabès for unregistered, undeveloped properties.

Health & Infrastructure: A China-aided cancer treatment center was launched in Gabès, with a day hospital, radiotherapy area and pathology lab aimed at bringing higher-quality care closer to southeastern Tunisia. Agribusiness & Exports: Tunisia’s olive oil exports jumped 55.3% to 368,000 tons in the first nine months of the 2025/26 season, bringing about TND 4.605 billion in revenue; extra-virgin made up 83.6% of volumes, while the EU absorbed 57.1% (notably Spain and Italy). Trade & Competitiveness: Tunisia’s trade deficit hit TND 14.958 billion in the first seven months of 2026, with the widening gap linked to rising import bills in energy, mobility and healthcare needs. Water & Power Pressure: With heat driving record electricity demand and worsening water access, protests in Tunis demanded Saïed’s departure and better basic services, as rationing and shortages disrupt factories and daily life. Land & Property Administration: The Official Gazette set mandatory cadastral surveys to start Nov. 1, 2026 in Kasserine, Mahdia, Jendouba, Médenine, Sfax and Gabès, targeting unregistered and undeveloped properties (no expropriation). Digital Economy: A fintech deep-dive highlights Tunisia’s growing tech sophistication but warns that cash dependence remains a major hurdle for wider adoption.

Water & Power Pressure: President Kaïs Saïed toured mineral water bottling units and the Nebhana Dam, while Tunisia faces heat-driven electricity rationing and water shortages that have sparked wider public anger. Public Protests: Thousands rallied in Tunis under the new Nafas movement, demanding Saïed’s departure and better basic services, medicine availability and freedoms amid worsening utility cuts. Agribusiness Exports: Tunisia’s olive oil exports jumped 55.3% to 368,000 tonnes in the first nine months of the 2025/26 season, bringing in about $1.6bn, with the EU taking 57.1% of shipments. Land & Property Administration: The Official Gazette confirms mandatory cadastral surveys starting Nov. 1, 2026 in Kasserine, Mahdia, Jendouba, Médenine, Sfax and Gabès, targeting unregistered rural/agricultural properties (not expropriation). Healthcare Appointments: JORT published 17 leadership appointments across regional hospitals and basic healthcare groups under the Ministry of Health. Corporate Results: SFBT reported H1 2026 net profit of TND 185m (+9.1%) on higher operating revenues. Energy & Industry Finance: Tunisia’s energy deficit and production constraints continue to feed instability, while STEG rationing and supply disruptions hit factories and daily life.

Agri-Exports Boost: Tunisia’s olive oil exports jumped 55.3% to 368,000 tonnes in the first nine months of the 2025/26 season, bringing in $1.6 billion (up 44.4% year-on-year), with extra-virgin making up 83.6% of shipments and the EU taking 57.1% of volumes. Energy & Water Strain: Extreme heat is pushing Tunisia’s power demand to record levels, driving rationing and worsening water access as outages hit pumping stations—sparking wider public anger. Public Protest Pressure: Thousands rallied in Tunis under the new Nafas movement, demanding President Kais Saied’s departure and calling for reliable utilities, medicine supply, and fewer restrictions. Digital Finance Reality Check: A look at Tunisia’s fintech scene highlights a paradox: more advanced startups and regulation, but growing reliance on physical cash as the wider economy still hesitates to adopt digital payments. Industrial Performance: SFBT posted TND 185 million net profit in H1 2026 (up 9.1%), with operating revenues rising nearly 6% as margins improved. Global Food Logistics: Black Sea attacks are disrupting wheat shipments, pushing Asian buyers toward costlier alternatives—an issue that can ripple into Tunisia’s food supply planning.

Water & Power Crisis Sparks Protests: Thousands rallied in downtown Tunis as extreme heat worsened electricity rationing and water pumping failures, with demonstrators from the new Nafas movement also citing medicine shortages, rising prices and tighter freedoms, while STEG introduced cuts amid record demand. Olive Oil Exports Boost: Tunisia’s olive oil exports jumped 55.3% in volume to 368,000 tonnes in the first nine months of the 2025/26 season, lifting export value 44.4% to 4.6053 billion dinars, led by bulk oil (86%) and mainly shipped to the EU (57.1%). Agri-Industry Performance: SFBT reported TND 185 million net profit in H1 2026 (+9.1%), with operating revenues up nearly 6% to TND 379.3 million, supported by improved margins and investment income. Sports Infrastructure: Mahdia began building a new municipal swimming pool (TND 11.7m, 360 days), adding a 379 m² sports pool and training facilities to expand local access to swimming. Global Trade Pressure on Food Logistics: Black Sea attacks are disrupting wheat shipments, pushing buyers toward costlier alternatives—an issue that can quickly ripple into North Africa’s food supply planning.

Agri-Exports Boost: Tunisia’s olive oil exports jumped 55.3% to a record 368,000 tonnes in the first nine months of the 2025/26 season, bringing about $1.6bn in revenue, with the EU taking 57.1% of shipments—extra virgin made up 83.6% of volumes. Food Trade Picture: ONAGRI reports a TND 1,006.6m food trade surplus in the first seven months of 2026, up 22.2%, driven mainly by a 43.4% rise in olive oil exports despite higher cereal imports. Foreign Investment Flows: Tunisia attracted TND 1.929bn in international investment in H1 2026, with FDI at TND 1.912bn; manufacturing led (72%), followed by energy (19%). Energy & Water Strain: A new wave of protests in Tunis targets President Kais Saied over extreme heat-linked power and water cuts, medicine shortages and rising costs, as STEG rationing and water-pumping disruptions hit households and factories. Tourism Momentum: Tunisia welcomed over 5.8m international tourists by end-July, underlining continued recovery of the sector’s foreign-currency role. Global Logistics Pressure: Black Sea wheat attacks are tightening supplies and lifting prices, with Asian buyers weighing costlier alternatives as loading delays spread. Local Infrastructure: Mahdia began construction of a municipal swimming pool (TND 11.7m, 360 days), expanding sports facilities and youth access. Corporate Update: SFBT posted TND 185m net profit in H1 2026, up 9.1%, supported by higher operating revenues and improved margins. Tech & Connectivity: EE launched a consumer 5G standalone “Fast Lane” slicing option, adding dedicated capacity during busy periods. Tax Deadlines: Tunisia’s tax authority set key August 2026 filing dates for remote-declaration companies, agricultural/fishing income taxpayers, and firms outside the online system.