eina4jobs

Tunisia faces a dual imperative: to generate massive employment to reduce existing deficits, and to improve the quality of these jobs particularly through increased labor productivity (and consequently, economic growth) and formalization. Currently, 73% of women and 34% of men are inactive. Moreover, among those participating in the labor market, 16% are unemployed, with higher rates among women (22%) and especially among youth (40%). In addition, more than half (57%) of the employed population works in informal jobs. 

To substantially reduce unemployment and inactivity while also decreasing informality through productivity growth, Tunisia would need to create over 100,000 jobs per year through the development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Recent estimates suggest that 70% of jobs are in MSMEs, and nearly 60% in microenterprises. Between 2013 and 2023, microenterprises generated 57.8% of net formal jobs, while SMEs accounted for 10.2%. Looking ahead, based on current trends, MSMEs are expected to generate more than two-thirds of new jobs.

In this context, the Tunisian Government, and the African Development Bank, through its EInA platform, with the financial support of the British Embassy in Tunis and the technical assistance of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), launched the National Entrepreneurial Profile Survey. This initiative aims to better understand the constraints affecting entrepreneurship and the development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and to identify key levers to foster growth and job creation. The survey covers more than 9,000 individuals across 3,000 households. The main findings reveal that Tunisia has 1.48 million entrepreneurs (18% of the adult population), including 10.4% established entrepreneurs and 7.6% potential entrepreneurs struggling to launch their businesses, and remaining at the ideation stage. Among these potential entrepreneurs, 27.3% are inactive, 33.1% are unemployed, and 39.6% are salaried workers - with 17.9% in the informal sector and 21.7% in the formal sector. Established entrepreneurs are primarily opportunity-driven (63%), rather than necessity-driven (37%). Almost two-thirds of entrepreneurs are concentrated in low-productivity sectors such as commerce (40.5%), agriculture (17.6%), and transport (8.3%). Only one quarter operate in industry (10.2%) or social services (13.4%).

The study identifies five pillars that should form the foundation of an entrepreneurship development strategy in Tunisia, namely: Markets, Assistance, Regulation, Education, and Financing (MAREF). The problem of market access appears to affect smaller firms more severely, as they often operate in local markets. In terms of assistance, 65.8% of established entrepreneurs and 70.2% of potential entrepreneurs request advisory services that are not currently offered. Regulations and taxation are identified by more than 30% of entrepreneurs as obstacles to formalization. Furthermore, the low level of education among entrepreneurs and the lack of intrinsic capacities reduce business creation rate - particularly formal enterprises with growth potential. Having a secondary education or a vocational training diploma increases by 67% and 92%, respectively, the probability of initiating an entrepreneurial activity. Finally, coverage of entrepreneurship financing programs remains limited, with only 18% of established entrepreneurs having financed their investment projects through a financial institution; 65.8% of established entrepreneurs and 70.2% of potential ones have no access to financing.