ICT & Innovation
From The Report: Tunisia 2019
View in Online Reader

With rising mobile usage rates and ongoing improvements to telecoms infrastructure, the expansion of digital services is opening up new opportunities for Tunisia’s economic growth. In order for the sector to transition from an underserved market to a central driver of socio-economic development, the government has a vital role to play. As the largest customer for e-services, the public sector is responsible for supporting the implementation of new technology on a local level as well as promoting foreign investment. Nonetheless, with promising mobile and internet penetration rates, and steady growth for the three major telecoms providers, the outlook for Tunisia’s ICT sector remains strong over the medium term. This chapter contains interviews with Anouar Maârouf, Minister of Communication Technologies and Digital Economy; Hichem Turki, General Director, Sousse Technology Park; and Anis Sahbani, Founder and CEO, Enova Robotics.

 

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Digital drive: Expanded mobile and internet services support ongoing sectoral growth
OBG
plus

Internet services are playing an increasingly important role in supporting economic growth and social development across the world. In line with this trend, Tunisia’s ICT sector continued to grow in 2018. The country already has sophisticated telecoms and broadband infrastructure in place, which is quickly evolving to support the ongoing expansion of the digital economy and growing demand for high-quality ICT services. Mobile and internet penetration is increasing steadily, with mobile subscription…

Interview

Entrepreneurial spirit: Anouar Maârouf, Minister of Communication Technologies and Digital Economy, on the role of digitalisation in the country’s ongoing economic overhaul
OBG
plus

Interview:Anouar Maârouf How can digitalisation boost economic integration? ANOUAR MAÂROUF: Digitalisation is the main pillar of Tunisia’s efforts to improve the performance of its public services. We are looking to integrate smart processes into government administration so that we can deliver fast, transparent and accessible services. We are also taking steps to eliminate negative practices such as corruption, favouritism and clientelism, which have proven detrimental to the relationship…

Analysis

Successful start: The government is working to develop the local start-up ecosystem through new policies and incentives
OBG
plus

The rise of Tunisia’s ICT sector forms part of the government’s drive to make science and technology the focus of its economic transformation, diversifying from traditional sectors such as tourism, manufacturing and agriculture. While government policies are organised under the sector’s national plan, Digital Tunisia 2020, the private sector is working to develop its ICT capabilities through the growing start-up scene, with new companies entering consumer banking, health, retail and business-to-business…

Interview

Down to business: Hichem Turki, General Director, Sousse Technology Park, on building an ecosystem conducive to entrepreneurship
OBG
plus

Interview:Hichem Turki How will the Start-up Act help to bolster entrepreneurial activities? HICHEM TURKI: Developing a burgeoning start-up ecosystem is a hot topic, especially given the increasing flow of migration. The Start-up Act is a unique legislative framework that paves the way for more innovation-based economic models in Tunisia and in the region. Its implementation brings many positives from a fiscal and administrative standpoint for young entrepreneurs. It is important to ensure…

Overview

Bridging the divide: The ever-expanding digital economy is creating widespread opportunities in emerging markets
OBG
plus

More and more commercial transactions are moving online and the so-called digital economy continues to expand its reach into every facet of the traditional analogue economy. For businesses this means they have access to new channels to reach existing clients as well as new opportunities to expand market share with a competitive digital offering. For consumers the ever-expanding digital economy promises greater access to products and services at their fingertips, as well as increased ease in accessing and comparing information about them. This also tends to encourage more competitive pricing among providers. In emerging economies the development…

Overview

Bridging the divide: The ever-expanding digital economy is creating widespread opportunities in emerging markets
OBG
plus

More and more commercial transactions are moving online and the so-called digital economy continues to expand its reach into every facet of the traditional analogue economy. For businesses this means they have access to new channels to reach existing clients as well as new opportunities to expand market share with a competitive digital offering. For consumers the ever-expanding digital economy promises greater access to products and services at their fingertips, as well as increased ease in accessing and comparing information about them. This also tends to encourage more competitive pricing among providers. In emerging economies the development…

Interview

Entrepreneurial ecosystem: Anis Sahbani, Founder and CEO, Enova Robotics, on the importance of innovation, the Start-up Act and collaboration
OBG
plus

Interview:Anis Sahbani Why is innovation important to economic growth? ANIS SAHBANI: Innovation can take the shape of new or significantly improved products and technologies, new production processes, new ways of delivering goods and services to the market, or novel organisational methods that improve business practices and a firm’s relationship to its environment. In a nutshell, innovation results in higher productivity, job creation and can help raise citizens’ quality of life. Additionally,…