Tunisia’s startup ecosystem is projected to expand by 36.6% annually by 2026, a growth rate that positions it as the fastest-growing in Africa and nearly double the average for North Africa. According to analysis from the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026 by StartupBlink, this rapid expansion will see Tunisia surpass Morocco to claim the top spot in the region.
Quick Facts
- Projected 36.6% annual growth by 2026.
- Fastest growing startup ecosystem in Africa.
- Now ranked 6th in Africa, surpassing Ghana.
A Closer Look at the Rankings
While Tunisia’s growth forecast is impressive, the new report shows a mixed picture in current rankings. The country has climbed to 6th place in Africa, overtaking Ghana. However, it slipped two spots on the global stage, reflecting the faster acceleration of other international ecosystems.
In the business environment index for innovators, Tunisia ranked 87th, aligning with its overall global ecosystem position. This suggests a balance between its entrepreneurial conditions and the actual performance of its startup sector.
On a city level, Tunis remains the third-largest startup hub in North Africa but fell three places globally to 330th. Despite the city’s individual growth of 22.8%—exceeding both regional and global averages—it is facing stiff competition from other fast-emerging urban centers.
Innovation as an Economic Engine
“Innovation is the main driver of the country’s economic transformation,” stated Majdi Hassen, CEO of the Tunisian Institute for Competitiveness and Quantitative Studies. “The priority is to strengthen the startup environment to retain talent, improve access to financing, and support the growth of companies capable of scaling in a rapidly evolving global economy.”
The Pillars of Tunisia’s Support System
Tunisia’s innovation framework is built on a network of institutional and private entities. Smart Capital, a government-backed private equity firm, oversees the “Startup Act” certification process and manages key instruments like the Anava Fund of Funds and the Innovatech institution.
The Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC), a public institution, is implementing the World Bank-supported “Start-up Tunisia” project and acts as an investor in several venture capital funds. Operationally, Flat6Labs Tunis serves as a key accelerator for early-stage companies, providing technical and financial support backed by the Anava fund. In the private VC sector, AfricInvest remains a major player, managing specialized funds like the Cathay Africinvest Innovation Fund across Tunisia and the wider African continent.
Key Milestones Fueling the Momentum
The ecosystem’s development has been marked by several significant events:
- 2018: The adoption of Africa’s first Startup Act introduced tax incentives, founder support, and foreign currency tools. The World Bank also approved a $75 million loan for the Anava fund.
- 2023: BioNTech’s acquisition of InstaDeep for approximately $682 million marked the largest tech deal ever recorded in Africa.
- 2024: Novation City and Nvidia opened Tunisia’s first AI center in Sousse.
- 2025: Anava backed the New Age Fund, which focuses on startups in AI, biotech, and greentech.
About Tunisia’s Startup Act
Launched in 2018, the Startup Act is a pioneering legal framework designed to boost the creation and growth of innovative startups in Tunisia. It provides a range of benefits for certified startups, including tax exemptions, financial support for salaries, social security coverage for founders, and simplified procedures for international expansion and foreign currency transactions. The initiative is managed by Smart Capital and has been a critical catalyst for the ecosystem’s development.
Source: Mosaique FM
