Tunisia launches interest-free honor credit program

Tunisia has launched a new interest-free financing mechanism known as ‘crédit sur l’honneur’ (honor credit), which became operational on October 1, 2026. Designed to support individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and community companies, the program offers 0% interest rates and requires no traditional personal or real guarantees. The funding is sourced from a mandatory 8% levy on the net profits of participating banks.

The rollout has seen a massive surge in digital applications, with hundreds of thousands of attempts recorded on the first day. Financial analysts suggest the demand significantly exceeds the estimated capacity, which is projected to benefit approximately 14,300 individuals and 2,860 medium-sized businesses. The system operates on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis, and platforms will automatically close once a bank's allocated funds are exhausted.

Participation in the scheme varies among financial institutions. While 17 banks are actively involved, several major banks, including BTE, TSB, QNB Tunisia, and BFPME, have confirmed they are not participating. The availability of funds for each institution is tied to their 2025 financial results, as mandated by Decree No. 148 of 2026. Some applicants have reported inconsistencies in documentation requirements across different banks, leading to calls for more standardized procedures from the Central Bank of Tunisia.