In North Africa’s competitive tech landscape, Tunisia is reimagining what it means to scale a startup. Once viewed as a modest ecosystem, Tunisia is now emerging as a global launchpad—thanks to progressive policies, a strong talent pool, strategic geography, and bold entrepreneurs keen to build for the world.
Central to this transformation is the Startup Act, a groundbreaking policy introduced in 2018 and enhanced through Startup Act 2.0. With over 1,165 certified startups and an impressive 205% growth rate (in terms of cumulative sales since its launch, reaching $300 million) this legislation has achieved what many others could not—turning promises on paper into tangible real-world impact. It simplifies company registration, offers tax exemptions, and provides salary support for founders for up to one year. For entrepreneurs targeting international markets, these measures are not merely benefits—they serve as essential launchpads.
Tunisia’s real advantage may lie in its human resources. The country produces thousands of highly trained, multilingual computer science graduates each year, with nearly 12,000 young computer engineers graduating annually from around 50 institutions. With a strong focus on STEM education and increasing English fluency, Tunisia’s tech talent has quietly become one of Africa’s most exportable assets. Tunisian developers are now creating AI tools, SaaS platforms, and fintech solutions that extend well beyond the nation’s borders.
Take InstaDeep, for example—the AI firm that began in Tunis and recently gained attention with its acquisition by BioNTech in July 2023 for approximately €500 million , marking one of the largest deep-tech deals on the continent. Another noteworthy instance is Expensya, a rapidly growing expense management platform that now serves clients across Europe and the Middle East, having reported 200% revenue growth even during the COVID-19 pandemic. These are not isolated cases; rather, they illustrate a new trend of startups born in Tunisia, designed for the global market.
Tunisia’s geographical location enhances its global reach. Just a short flight from Europe and culturally connected to both Africa and the Middle East, Tunisian startups are ideally situated to grow regionally while accessing global markets. Initiatives like the forthcoming Digital Nomad Visa (though a specific dedicated visa is still under development, existing long-term options are available) only add to this appeal, helping Tunisia attract remote talent, international investors, and cross-border collaborators.
Moreover, various startup support systems are expanding throughout the country. Incubators such as Flat6Labs Tunis and funding from Innovatech (a fund with a minimum investment of TND 1M and maximum initial investment of TND 2.5M, with follow-on up to TND 7M) and the $113.6M ANAVA Fund of Funds (€100 million target size) provide essential early-stage financing and mentorship to ensure startups not only launch but also thrive. Additionally, platforms like TunisianStartups.org and regular pitch events—such as AfricArena’s Tunisia Summit—keep the community connected, informed, and prepared to scale.
What distinguishes Tunisia is how these elements work together: government policy, human capital, funding access, and international openness all reinforce one another. It’s an ecosystem where scaling isn’t just an aspiration—it’s built into the design.
As investors and partners seek the next frontier in African tech, Tunisia stands out not just for its potential but for its preparedness. From deep tech to SaaS, and from fintech to greentech, Tunisian founders are developing globally competitive solutions that begin locally and scale rapidly.
If you haven’t been paying attention to Tunisia’s startup scene, now is the time to take a closer look—because the next global success story may already be emerging from Tunis.
