馃嚬馃嚦TunisiaNorth Africa
Oil price surge threatens Tunisia's compensation fund, expert warns
via Business News2 min read
During a national radio broadcast on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, oil sector expert Mahmoud El May analyzed the repercussions of surging oil prices, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. With Brent crude at approximately $99.10 per barrel, energy-importing nations like Tunisia face increased macroeconomic pressure. El May highlighted a significant budgetary impact: every dollar increase in oil prices adds an estimated 180 million dinars to public finances, underscoring Tunisia's high energy dependence and the structural burden of subsidies. He noted that fuel distributed in April is expected to cost the compensation fund an additional dinar per liter, worsening its deficit. This direct cost is compounded by a negative fiscal effect, as the state may forgo consumption tax and VAT revenues from fuel while increasing subsidies to control pump prices. El May estimates the compensation fund's deficit could reach nearly 5 billion dinars. The expert expressed concern over the lack of clear official communication from Tunisian authorities but suggested solutions based on international experiences, primarily energy consumption rationalization. He cited examples such as teleworking in Egypt to reduce travel, and fuel rationing systems in Greece and Syria for subsidized products. El May warned that if the state's purchasing power deteriorates, potentially halving energy imports, Tunisia might be forced to adopt similar energy restriction and demand management measures to
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Tunisian red shrimp exports to Italy are currently blocked, raising concerns among parliamentarians and industry stakeholders. Member of Parliament Syrine Bousandel stated on July 14, 2026, that administrative dysfunctions are jeopardizing an industry supporting thousands of families. A group of MPs has petitioned the Head of Government and contacted the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture for a resolution, but no response has been received. Bousandel indicated that Tunisia has an annual export quota for red shrimp, but the Ministry of Agriculture allegedly failed to update required documents, leading to the blockage of shipments to the Italian market. Some goods have already been returned, while others remain pending, creating uncertainty for professionals. Bousandel emphasized that this situation threatens the entire sector, from fishermen to exporters and processing unit employees, who are not responsible for the administrative errors. She also urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage with Italian authorities, questioning the lack of diplomatic reaction to a matter with significant economic consequences. The issue began in June when Italian authorities suspended red shrimp imports from Tunisia. The Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forests reported that Tunisian-validated capture certificates showed volumes exceeding the 36,000 kg annual quota set by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean. Over 50,960 kg of red shrimp we
A widely circulated Facebook post claiming the Egyptian Ministry of Health officially banned C-sections, except in extreme necessity, has been debunked as false. Investigations found no official communication from the ministry announcing such a prohibition. Instead, Egyptian health authorities have been implementing a long-standing policy to reduce medically unjustified C-sections, not to ban them. Official recommendations encourage natural childbirth when medically feasible, while maintaining C-sections for maternal or infant protection. The Egyptian Health Council's guidelines emphasize clinical evaluation by health professionals for such decisions. Egypt has a high C-section rate, prompting a national strategy to reduce unnecessary interventions through medical training and improved obstetric practices. This strategy does not include a general ban on C-sections. This rumor has been circulating on Egyptian social media since October, appearing in various forms suggesting an official decision, but no official document has confirmed it. The Egyptian authorities' policy aims to combat C-sections performed without medical indication, not to eliminate them, as C-sections remain essential in many obstetric situations.
Tunisia's Assembly of People's Representatives ARP approved two loan agreements for the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company STEG on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. These loans are intended to finance an energy sector reform program. The first bill, approving a guarantee agreement between Tunisia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development IBRD for a STEG loan, passed with 72 votes in favor, 19 against, and six abstentions. The second bill, concerning another guarantee agreement with the IBRD as the implementing entity for the Clean Technology Fund, also for STEG, was adopted with 19 votes against and six abstentions. These loans aim to improve efficiency, performance, and governance in Tunisia's energy sector, strengthen electrical infrastructure, and support renewable energy development. The adoption followed several days of parliamentary tension, including a session on Friday, July 10, being suspended and postponed. Deputy Bilel El Mechri had accused the Assembly President, Brahim Bouderbala, of delaying the vote due to strong opposition, calling the agreements "colonization loans" and alleging they would benefit foreign companies and lead to STEG's privatization.