🇹🇳TunisiaNorth Africa
Tunisian Parliament reviews concessions for photovoltaic power plants
via Business News3 min read
On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, the Assembly of People's Representatives ARP held a study day to examine draft laws concerning the approval of electricity production concessions and their annexes for photovoltaic power plants. Brahim Bouderbala, President of the ARP, emphasized the importance of this session for developing renewable energy. Mohamed Amine Mbarki, President of the Industry Committee, highlighted the accelerating energy transition and the strategic choice it represents for Tunisia's energy independence, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and promoting clean energy. He stressed the central role of solar energy given the country's natural resources and called for a balanced legal framework that combines investment attractiveness, national sovereignty, and public interest protection. Wael Chouchane, Secretary of State for Energy Transition, announced the commissioning of photovoltaic plants in Sidi Bouzid, Kairouan, and Tozeur, with a total capacity of 200 megawatts, to supply the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company. He noted Tunisia's significant energy deficit of approximately 65%, leading to substantial imports, and an estimated deficit of 6.3 million tons of oil equivalent. Energy subsidies reached 7,112 million dinars in 2025, up from 550 million in 2011. The government aims to improve energy independence to 67%, support economic growth by 2%, and reduce carbon intensity by 4.6% annually, with a goal of renewable energy comprising at least 50% of the electricit
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Must ReadFormer Member of Parliament Majdi Karbai warned on Saturday, June 6, 2026, about the implications of new European migration policies, suggesting that Tunisian nationals will continue to be targets for return and expulsion procedures by several European Union member states. In a Facebook post, the former parliamentarian stated that new European migration policies and legislative projects, particularly those from the Italian government, anticipate a significant reinforcement of border control mechanisms and readmission procedures. Karbai indicated that these measures might no longer exclusively target individual migrants but could also affect minors and families, especially from countries deemed "safe" by several European states, such as Tunisia. He highlighted that new rules being discussed in Europe include stricter reception conditions in arrival zones, mentioning the possibility of detention periods up to twenty-four months in some border centers before expulsion. Karbai believes the idea that arriving on European soil automatically leads to regularization or permanent settlement no longer reflects current migration policies. He also noted that a segment of European public opinion supports more restrictive immigration policies and that several governments are now committed to strengthening controls while further limiting stay options for irregular migrants. This statement follows an earlier post where Karbai revealed the Italian Parliament's approval of a new Guardia di Fin
On World Environment Day, the Environmental and Climate Justice department of the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights FTDES released a statement discussing the evolution of environmental struggles in Tunisia and advocating for more just and inclusive public policies. The FTDES believes that Tunisia's environmental challenges, including pollution, natural resource depletion, and climate change impacts, have moved beyond technical issues to encompass development, human rights, and social justice concerns. The organization notes a significant increase in citizen mobilization, with environmental movements demonstrating improved organization, visibility, and continuity. These movements increasingly link environmental protection with social and economic demands. This trend is evident in local protests where residents not only denounce pollution but also inequalities perceived to be linked to natural resource exploitation and the distribution of development benefits. In 2025, the FTDES recorded 427 environmental mobilizations out of 5,196 social movements, representing nearly 8% of all recorded actions. Of these, 136 directly concerned the right to a healthy environment, 14% targeted industrial pollution, and 9% addressed nuisances from household waste. The statement cites examples such as ongoing protests in Redeyef against the environmental impact of phosphate extraction, the "Stop Pollution" campaign in Gabès against the Tunisian Chemical Group's environmental damage, a
Ezzeddine Ben Cheikh, the Minister of Agriculture, chaired a working meeting on Friday, June 5, 2026, focusing on the governorates of Sousse and Monastir. He highlighted the shared agricultural, economic, and tourism specificities of the two regions, particularly emphasizing the olive sector as a cornerstone of their agricultural activity. The Minister stressed the importance of preserving and developing this national asset and protecting olive groves from various risks. Ben Cheikh also called for prioritizing the maintenance of hydraulic infrastructure to ensure full operationality and guarantee a regular supply of drinking water for residents during the summer of 2026, especially given the high tourist activity in Sousse and Monastir. He further insisted on accelerating the completion of the seawater desalination plant project in Sousse, deeming it strategically important for strengthening the region's water resources and consolidating its water security amidst growing water management challenges.
Must ReadThe cardiology department at Hédi Chaker University Hospital in Sfax has achieved a national first in Tunisia by implanting a leadless pacemaker Abbott Aveir. Announced on Saturday, June 6, 2026, this procedure marks a significant advancement in the treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders. This new-generation technology eliminates the need for wires or cables, which are essential components of traditional pacemakers. The innovative device also boasts a long lifespan, potentially lasting up to twenty years, and can be removed if necessary, offering greater flexibility in patient care. This implantation positions Hédi Chaker University Hospital among institutions capable of implementing the latest technologies in interventional cardiology. The Ministry of Health highlights the expertise of Tunisian medical teams and the public hospital's ability to adopt advanced international technological developments through this national premiere.