Tunisia’s startup ecosystem is witnessing a significant surge in female leadership, with the rate of women’s digital entrepreneurship increasing by 35% over the last five years. The announcement was made by Fatima Thabet, the Minister of Industry, Mines, and Energy, during the opening of a conference by the International Council for Women Entrepreneurs (CIFE).
The data highlights a powerful trend: 40% of all Tunisian startups established since 2020 include at least one woman as a co-founder, signaling a structural shift in the nation’s tech landscape.
A Strong Educational and Industrial Foundation
Minister Thabet emphasized that this growth is built on a solid foundation of female participation in education and key economic sectors. Tunisia has long been a regional leader in gender equality, which is reflected in its talent pipeline.
“Sixty percent of university graduates are women, and 72 percent of graduates in engineering across numerous technological industrial fields are women,” Thabet stated.
This academic strength translates directly into the business world, with 25% of all Tunisian enterprises being managed by women—a figure that surpasses the regional average of 16%. In the industrial sector specifically, women constitute 42% of the manufacturing workforce.
Leading in Strategic Sectors
Tunisian women are not just participating but are increasingly leading in high-growth, strategic industries. According to the Minister, women now manage over 500 industrial enterprises. Notably, more than 30% of management positions in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, and technical textiles are held by women.
This trend extends to the critical field of energy transition. “Thirty percent of new engineers in the renewable energy field are women, and many supervisors of solar energy projects in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe are Tunisian women,” Thabet added.
A Strategic Push for Economic Sovereignty
The government views the empowerment of female entrepreneurs as a strategic imperative, not merely a social objective. The minister framed the issue as being directly linked to the country’s industrial, energy, and technological sovereignty.
“The challenge behind stimulating women’s capabilities is not only social but also strategic,” Thabet explained. “A strong economy relies on all its talents without exception. In Tunisia, female talent represents a national asset.”
Building a Mediterranean Roadmap
The conference, organized in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, aims to translate these gains into a concrete action plan. Titled “Women’s Leadership and Economic Integration: Strategic Synergies between Tunisia and the Mediterranean,” the event gathers high-level decision-makers to build lasting partnerships.
“This conference is not just a forum; it is a commitment to action,” said Rachida Jabnoun, President of the International Council for Women Entrepreneurs. “We are working to bring together the dynamic forces in the Mediterranean to move from assessment to the implementation of real solutions. Adopting a common roadmap will be a milestone in building more inclusive governance in the region.”
About The International Council for Women Entrepreneurs
The International Council for Women Entrepreneurs (CIFE) is a Tunisian-based organization dedicated to promoting and supporting female entrepreneurship and leadership. It works to create networks, facilitate partnerships, and advocate for policies that foster a more inclusive and equitable economic environment for women in Tunisia and across the Mediterranean region.
Source: Jawhara FM
