** SME crisis in Tunisia: between resilience and decline **
Tunisia is a delicate turning point in its entrepreneurial career. While the world barely emerges from pandemic ashes, small and medium -sized Tunisian enterprises (SMEs) find themselves tight in the claws of an economic “permacrise” marked by persistent inflation and difficulties of supply. In 2023, 200,000 SMEs were in difficulty, according to the Tunisian association of small and medium -sized enterprises, and the extent of the challenges they face to raise deep questions about the viability of the national economic fabric.
### Pandemic and inflation consequences
The consequences of the COVVI-19 pandemic around the world were made even more complex by inflation close to 7 % in Tunisia, mainly generated by the rise in raw material prices. Take the example of the poultry market: the poultry price exploded almost 19 % between 2023 and 2024, which placed many restaurateurs, such as Emna Megdiche de El Koocha, in a precarious position. Faced with this pressure, business leaders must navigate through a sea of uncertainty that undermines their beneficiary margins.
Added to this is a less often discussed phenomenon: the exodus of skilled workforce. When talented workers flee to foreign markets offering higher wages, the country loses not only its skills, but also its ability to innovate and straighten. The impact of this brain leak has repercussions on the quality of services and products offered by SMEs, causing a vicious circle difficult to break.
### Inequalities in access to funding
Despite a network of innovative entrepreneurs, many SMEs find themselves faced with guarantee requirements in terms of banking loans which de facto exclude them from financing options. Catherine Fournier, entrepreneur in the human resources sector, illustrates this paradox well: while being active and adaptable, she faces bureaucratic obstacles that limit her ability to maintain her cash. This inequitable access to funding is a critical factor, because it slows down not only the growth of businesses, but also innovation and the creation of long -term jobs.
### The role of the State and financial institutions
While these challenges threaten both the survival and prosperity of the private sector, what role can the Tunisian state and financial institutions play? The current crisis calls for more flexible mobility of funding and public policies that encourage investment in startups, while supporting SMEs.
Compared to other emerging countries, especially in sub -Saharan Africa, Tunisia could learn best practices. For example, Senegal has launched the “Dakar Startups” program which offers simplified access to funding via public-private partnerships, thus effectively stimulating the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Such an initiative, applied to the Tunisian context, could mitigate the devastating effects of inflation and recurring crises.
### Double tracing resilience
However, in the midst of this adversity, there is also light. Entrepreneurs like Emna and Catherine demonstrate admirable resilience, reassessing their strategies and taking advantage of coworking spaces to reduce costs. This type of inventiveness could inspire other SMEs to explore more sustainable and collaborative economic models, without focusing only on cost reduction, but also on the creation of added value.
In the long term, to build a solid and resilient economy, it is imperative that SMEs are not only seen as economic subcontractors, but as essential actors in social and economic transformation. The revision of public policies, the facilitation of access to financing and investment in the training and qualification of human resources thus emerge as major priorities.
### Conclusion
The road to the economic rehabilitation of Tunisia is strewn with pitfalls; However, by attacking inflation, supporting entrepreneurship by inclusive policies and promoting collaborative innovation, the country can hope not only to regain its stability, but also build a solid future for its SMEs. In this struggle, each actor, from the state to entrepreneurs, must play its score with commitment and vision. Fatshimetrie.org, through its analyzes, highlights these challenges and passes the relay to a largely concerned audience, providing reflection on potential solutions for a better future.