Tunisia has launched an ambitious push to digitise its public administration, approving 138 projects during a ministerial council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri on September 16, in Tunis.
The government says the programme is designed to boost transparency, fight corruption, and make services faster and easier for citizens and businesses.
The plan is also expected to strengthen Tunisia’s regional competitiveness and attract fresh investment by prioritising open data, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Officials described the initiative as “essential and necessary” for building a modern state that keeps pace with global digital trends.
Tunisia’s 138 projects for digital administration
The Minister of Communication Technologies, Sofiene Hemissi, outlined the 2025–2026 digital transformation programme, grouped into four main categories.
Digital administration (99 projects): Expanding online services, building interconnectivity between ministries, and accelerating the rollout of information systems.
Digital economy (18 projects): Promoting e-commerce, boosting financial inclusion, supporting entrepreneurs, and training citizens in artificial intelligence and digital skills.
Cybersecurity and trust (12 projects): Strengthening Tunisia’s ability to defend against cyberattacks and ensure reliable digital services.
Infrastructure (9 projects): Expanding network coverage nationwide and upgrading government IT systems.
Officials stressed that projects serving citizens, businesses, and investors will be prioritised. The goal, Zenzri said, is to “simplify procedures, combat corruption, and improve the climate for investment.”
Transparency, open data, and Artificial Intelligence
A central theme of Tunisia’s plan is building a modern administration based on open data and artificial intelligence. The government wants AI to play a bigger role in detecting corruption, tax evasion, and misuse of public funds.
The council recommended practical steps to overcome existing obstacles. These include registering all digital projects on a national monitoring platform, creating dashboards to track progress, enforcing interoperability between ministries, and adopting a national open data policy.
A unified national portal will also be launched to give citizens and investors easier access to services. The presidency added that electronic payments will be expanded to reduce reliance on cash, while public awareness campaigns will encourage people to use new digital services.
Tunisia’s digital rankings and future vision
Despite progress, Tunisia still faces gaps. The country ranks 86th out of 193 countries in the UN’s 2024 E-Government Development Index with a score of 0.6935, above African and global averages.
However, its Online Service Index (0.5951) shows that the quality of digital services still lags. In cybersecurity, Tunisia is rated Tier 3 by the ITU, meaning its commitment is basic but growing.
Looking beyond 2026, Prime Minister Zenzri confirmed that Tunisia will develop a national digital vision for 2026–2030. This strategy will define long-term goals, streamline administrative processes, and focus on user experience.
Tunisia hopes to maintain its reputation as a North African ICT hub by tying digital reforms to broader economic and governance goals. With 138 projects already approved, the government is betting on digital transformation to create a more transparent, efficient, and competitive state.