Tunisia is rapidly emerging as a dynamic hub for startups and innovation in North Africa. Strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa, the country offers a unique gateway for entrepreneurs seeking to expand across regions. This positioning, combined with a proactive regulatory environment, is making Tunisia an increasingly attractive destination for tech-driven ventures.
One of the key pillars of this transformation is the Startup Act, a pioneering legal framework launched to support early-stage companies with streamlined procedures, financial incentives, and access to global networks. Since its launch, 1,165 startups have been awarded the Startup Act label, achieving $300 million in cumulative sales. In 2024, Tunisian startups raised $24 million through 11 funding deals.
Tunisia offers a robust VC infrastructure, with a 56% increase in the number of active investors compared to 2023 highlighting the rising international and regional interest in the ecosystem. Tunisia’s innovation ecosystem is supported by 10 active child funds that play a strategic role in early-stage financing and scaling innovative ventures. Innovatech is a $47.7 million fund bridging startups to scaleups. Tunisia ranks among the top five African countries in terms of deals involving female founders, with 27% of its startup deals linked to women-led ventures.
A growing number of public-private partnerships foster innovation and entrepreneurship, and many international organizations actively support Tunisia’s ecosystem. Among them, the World Bank plays a key role through the Innovative Startups and SMEs Project, which supports the national Startup Tunisia initiative. Executed by the CDC in partnership with Smart Capital, the project will contribute to the creation of more than 1,800 direct jobs, including 30% for women and 20% for youths aged 18 to 35.
