Tunisia energy transition and decarbonization efforts

Tunisia is implementing various regulatory and infrastructural measures to address a declining energy independence rate, which fell from 93% in 2010 to 48% in 2023. To mitigate the energy deficit and its impact on the national trade balance, the National Agency for Energy Management (ANME) has focused on expanding electric vehicle charging networks through public-private collaborations and integrating solar power into these systems.

Efforts have since expanded into decarbonization and green finance frameworks. ANME has introduced specifications for carbon accounting to assist exporters in complying with the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), offering subsidies through the Energy Transition Fund (FTE) to cover up to 70% of these costs.

However, structural challenges persist in the financial sector. While administrative frameworks and tax incentives exist, a report by the Arab Institute of CEOs (IACE) indicates that no green bonds have been issued by the state or private sectors. The green finance ecosystem remains largely dependent on international donor support, and while the Central Bank of Tunisia is integrating climate risk into strategic planning, operational steps like climate stress tests for banks are not yet fully realized.