Tunisia focuses on industrial automation and addresses gender employment gaps

Tunisia's industrial sector currently accounts for approximately 17% of the national GDP and 20% of total employment. To enhance competitiveness and sovereignty, the country is focusing on the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, including automation and artificial intelligence. The Sapri 2026 International Exhibition, organized by Cetime in partnership with the ITF, is scheduled for November 17–20, 2026, at the Kram Exhibition Park. This event aims to serve as a regional platform for industrial maintenance, spare parts, and advanced manufacturing to strengthen supply chain transformations.

In terms of the labor market, a World Bank report titled ‘Tunisia’s Water Challenge: From Scarcity to Resilience’ highlights significant gender disparities. While the national unemployment rate stood at 14.9% in the second quarter of 2026, the female unemployment rate reached 21.6%, nearly double the male unemployment rate of 11.8%. The report indicates that while employment conditions have seen modest improvements, structural difficulties in economic participation and inclusion for women remain a critical challenge for the Tunisian economy.