Hommam Al Nassim 
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved two new loans to Tunisia worth $520 million to address the challenge of food security and improve roads.
“Tunisia has been granted $520 million within the framework of the strategic partnership between the Bank and Tunisia for the years 2023-2027, with the aim of strengthening human capital and increasing economic opportunities throughout Tunisia,” said Alexandre Araupio, World Bank Country Director in Tunisia.
Tunisia will receive $300 million in emergency food security response after five consecutive droughts, while $220 million will be allocated to develop infrastructure in the area linking the central governorates of Sidi Bouzid and Sfax, through the completion of 65 kilometers of roads and the development of 117 kilometers of secondary roads, to facilitate direct access to services in this region, according to a statement issued by the Bank on Friday.
Tunisia suffered from high inflation rates for two years, at a rate of 10% annually, with food prices sometimes tripling, and the economic growth rate during 2023 was about 0.4%, affected by a 5-year drought crisis that decimated agricultural crops.
Tunisia’s renewable energy sector received $60 million in support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia Joey Hood said during a meeting with Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy Fatima Thabet Chiboub that the project supports Tunisia’s renewable energy plans through the implementation of energy transition and energy efficiency programs for private sector enterprises.
Tunisia aims to diversify energy sources and promote the use of renewable energies in all sectors, in addition to reducing primary energy consumption by 30% by 2030.
Russia confirms its readiness to support Mauritania in the field of food security