馃嚬馃嚦TunisiaNorth Africa
Tunisian Observatory of the Economy warns against risks of photovoltaic concessions
via Business News5 min read
The Tunisian Observatory of the Economy OTE has issued a warning regarding five draft laws concerning concessions for renewable energy production, currently under review by the Assembly of People's Representatives. The OTE's orientation note, "Renewable energy concession bills: announced transition, threatened sovereignty," argues that these projects, while aiming for energy independence and cost reduction, prioritize the interests of financiers over national interests. The OTE highlights several risks, including a direct financial impact on the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company Steg, potentially leading to increased debt. The Observatory also points to contractual imbalances favoring foreign investors without significant provisions for technology transfer, local industrial integration, or sustainable job creation. Furthermore, concerns were raised about the transfer of exchange rate risk to Steg, foreign currency outflows over more than twenty years, and potential environmental impacts. The OTE urges deputies to reject these concession contracts and advocates for new hearings to rethink the energy transition strategy, including a revision of the 2015 law governing the sector. The goal is to leverage the energy transition to strengthen national technological capabilities by involving researchers and local economic actors.
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Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger are experiencing disruptions in several regions worldwide since the early afternoon of Friday, June 12, 2026. Users are reporting difficulties accessing Meta's services, including issues with displaying posts, refreshing news feeds, and sending or receiving private messages. Many users in Tunisia and globally have also noted unexpected disconnections and an inability to load certain content. Reports on outage tracking platforms are increasing, indicating a significant number of affected users, though the exact scale of the incident is still unclear. Meta has not yet provided detailed communication regarding the cause of these disruptions or an estimated time for service restoration. Notably, Threads, another Meta platform, appears to be functioning normally despite the issues affecting Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger.
After months of record-high prices, the gold market is seeing a reversal, with prices now trending downwards. Hatem Ben Youssef, president of the Jewelers' Union Chamber, stated on Friday, June 12, 2026, that this decline is welcomed by professionals. He explained that excessively high prices ultimately harm the industry by making gold less accessible to many consumers, especially given the limited purchasing power in Tunisia. The price of an 18-carat gold gram had reached 380 dinars before correcting to 280 dinars, and is currently around 295 to 297 dinars. Ben Youssef noted that jewelers are not interested in price increases because they negatively impact sales. While the market is experiencing a progressive decline, consumers will not see an immediate reflection of this in store prices. This is because the selling price of jewelry includes the acquisition cost of raw materials and manufacturing. Some products exceeded 500 dinars per gram at the peak, with jewelers' profit margins remaining limited at about 2.5%. Some merchants are even selling without a profit margin to clear high-priced stock and replace it with more advantageously priced acquisitions. Once this transition is complete, profit margins will be restored, and more accessible prices will be offered to consumers. If the trend continues, an 18-carat gold gram could sell for 400 to 420 dinars. The decline is dependent on international prices, which are sensitive to geopolitical and financial uncertainties. For Tu
Must ReadThe 2026 FIFA World Cup commenced on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Mexico City, with Mexico facing South Africa in the opening match at the iconic Azteca Stadium. This 23rd edition of the World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada until July 19, marks a significant change with an unprecedented format featuring 48 national teams and a record 104 matches. A 15-minute opening ceremony, held before the match, celebrated Mexico's "unity, diversity, and ancestral culture" with traditional and contemporary music, customary dances, and a giant trophy display. Colombian singer Shakira performed "Dai Dai," a song composed for this World Cup, alongside Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy. J Balvin, Belinda, and Mexican singer Alejandro Fern谩ndez also participated in the festivities, which concluded with fireworks. The Azteca Stadium made history by hosting its third World Cup opening match, following 1970 and 1986, solidifying its status as a global football landmark. Thousands of fans gathered at the stadium, despite a significant security presence including the National Guard, riot police, and mounted units. Amidst the football celebration, social issues were also present, with a banner calling for a "boycott of the FIFA 2026 World Cup" displayed near the stadium. Striking teachers had also conducted protests, blocking parts of the capital. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated the situation was "under control," and the fan zone, set up in the Zocalo, opened as pla