Tunisian General Labor Union criticizes renewable energy concession model, warns of risks to national sovereignty and public finances
via Business News4 min read
The General Federation of Electricity and Gas, part of the Tunisian General Labor Union UGTT, held a press conference on April 21, 2026, to express its concerns regarding draft laws on renewable energy production concessions. The UGTT criticized its exclusion from discussions on this strategic issue, emphasizing its historical role in national matters and the importance of energy sovereignty. While supporting renewable energy development, the federation opposes the current model, which it believes favors private, often foreign, investors over the public operator, the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company Steg. The UGTT asserted that Steg possesses the technical capabilities and human resources to lead renewable energy projects, with tenders ready since 2020 awaiting government approval. The union also raised concerns about carbon credits, advocating that potential revenues should fund national investments and support the public company. It warned that the current concession policy risks foreign domination of electricity production, potentially increasing dependence and prioritizing external market logic over national needs, especially with projects aimed at exporting electricity to Europe. The federation also highlighted the financial burden on public finances due to contract extensions and revisions within existing concessions. The UGTT called for a national dialogue involving public authorities, parliament, Steg, social partners, experts, and civil society to redefine the co
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Sociologist Mohamed Ali Ben Zina indicates that Tunisia is experiencing an acceleration of deep-seated demographic trends rather than sudden ruptures, driven by social, economic, and cultural changes. He emphasizes that current developments are a continuation of dynamics observed over several decades, with historical roots extending back at least twenty years. While events like the Covid-19 pandemic and recent political changes may have accelerated these trends, they are not their root causes. One significant indicator is the divorce rate, which reached a record high of nearly 17,000 in 2019, continuing an upward trend since the early 2000s when it was around 10,000. The pandemic temporarily reduced divorce numbers to 13,000 and then 12,000 due to slowed legal procedures, but figures returned to their original trajectory post-crisis. Historically, the divorce rate per 100 marriages has risen from 5-7% in the 1970s to 10% in the 1980s, 10-12% in the 1990s, 12-15% in the 2000s, and over 20% in the 2010s. Currently, Tunisia records 22-23 divorces per 100 marriages, reflecting a profound change in attitudes towards marriage and separation. Ben Zina cautions against misleading interpretations of daily divorce numbers or direct comparisons of marriages and divorces in a single year, as divorces often relate to unions contracted years prior, and marriage numbers depend on the demographic structure. Beyond statistics, the sociologist highlights increased social acceptance of divorce,
Must ReadThe investigative media outlet Inkyfada is indirectly involved in a judicial procedure as its publishing association, Al Khatt, faces a request for dissolution. This request will be examined on May 11, 2026, by the Court of First Instance of Tunis. Al Khatt, founded in December 2013 under Decree-Law 88 on associations, announced the development in a statement on Tuesday, April 21. The association states that since its inception, it has conducted public interest activities, including media education, supporting the associative sector, and backing independent journalism. It initiated the "Jaridaty" project and has published Inkyfada since 2014. According to Al Khatt, since late 2023, it has faced a series of banking, administrative, and judicial measures. The association claims to have responded to all official requests, providing required documents and exercising legal remedies. However, Al Khatt believes these measures have progressively exceeded a simple compliance check, citing repeated blockages of its funding, sometimes for several months, and an increase in procedures that strain its resources. These difficulties have reportedly impacted its teams, leading to salary delays, deteriorating working conditions, and reduced social benefits, including for Inkyfada journalists. Al Khatt also asserts that some financial operations were obstructed without clear written justification, despite being declared and documented. It sought explanations from the Central Bank of Tunisia bu
Sihem Ben Sedrine, former president of the Truth and Dignity Instance IVD, has had her hearing before the investigating judge at the economic and financial judicial division postponed to May 26, 2026. She remains free. This decision is part of a judicial inquiry into actions related to her tenure at the IVD. Concurrently, two other cases involving Ben Sedrine are before the criminal chamber specializing in financial corruption at the Tunis Court of First Instance, both postponed to May 18. One case involves a reconciliation agreement with Abdelmajid Bouden, a Tunisian residing in France, concerning the Franco-Tunisian Bank BFT file, for which an arrest warrant has been issued against Bouden. The second case relates to a settlement between the IVD and businessman Slim Chiboub, whose request for release was denied, and he remains in detention. These two cases, stemming from the IVD's arbitration and reconciliation mechanisms, are under close scrutiny due to the individuals involved and their implications for transitional justice in Tunisia.
The Tunisian Parliament is reviewing a 153 million dinar loan from the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development AFESD to modernize railway lines for phosphate transport. This initiative, debated on April 21, 2026, aims to renew and upgrade rail infrastructure in Gabès, Gafsa, and Sfax, covering approximately 190.5 kilometers of tracks. While the loan seeks to streamline phosphate delivery, reduce logistics costs, and enhance competitiveness, parliamentary discussions have highlighted deeper, persistent issues within the phosphate sector. During commission hearings, leaders from the Gafsa Phosphate Company CPG and the Tunisian Chemical Group GCT emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive upgrades across production, transport, and processing. However, deputies raised concerns about the effectiveness of previous loans and the absence of a clear, integrated recovery strategy. The Director General of CPG acknowledged that past investments had not yielded expected results and admitted to a lack of a clear program for renewing the phosphate wagon fleet. A significant point of contention was the discrepancy in production figures for 2025; CPG reported 3.9 million tons, while the President of the Finance and Budget Committee, Maher Kettari, cited figures closer to one million tons. This disparity raises questions about transparency and the economic rationale for investing heavily in rail transport if production remains low. The GCT's Director General also revealed that the grou