ITC has signed new partnerships with leading business groups in Tunisia to grow digital trade and e-commerce. By working together, we’ll open the door for small businesses to access regional and international markets.
ITC works with business support organizations around the world. By sharing the way we work with small businesses, our partners amplify our work while adapting our methods to meet local needs.
Our two new partnerships in Tunisia, unveiled at a press conference on 5 February in Tunis, marked a significant milestone. ITC signed memorandums of understanding with the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Tunis (Tunis Chamber of Commerce and Industry – CCITunis) and the Confédération des Entreprises Citoyennes de Tunisie (Confederation of Citizen Enterprises of Tunisia – CONECT).
The ceremony took place in the presence of the Ministry of Trade and Export Development, underscoring the importance of public–private collaboration in Tunisia’s digital transformation. During the ceremony, the heads of both organizations formally signed the agreements with ITC.
Teaming up to create e-commerce gains for small businesses
Through these partnerships, ITC will support the institutional, technical and operational strengthening of both organizations. A key component of the collaboration is called ‘training-of-trainers’. ITC will share with Tunisian experts how to coach Tunisian small businesses in digital trade solutions and cross-border e-commerce. By building in-house expertise, the initiative ensures that support to enterprises continues well beyond the duration of the project.
Beyond enterprise-level support, the partners will play an greater role in structured public–private dialogue, both nationally and regionally. As active contributors within the eight South Mediterranean countries covered by the project, they will help channel business perspectives into policy discussions, fostering more coherent, inclusive and regionally aligned digital trade frameworks.
Unlocking high-potential service sectors
The collaboration will prioritize high-growth service sectors with strong export potential, including tourism, information technology and outsourcing, digital design, e-learning, digital marketing, business process outsourcing, consulting, architecture and engineering. Equipping enterprises with digital capabilities lets them more quickly integrate into regional and international value chains.
A regional vision for digital trade integration
This initiative is implemented under the regional programme Digital Trade and E-Commerce in the MENA Region, co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and jointly implemented by ITC and the German development agency GIZ.
By fostering stronger institutions and a coordinated digital trade ecosystem, the programme contributes to Tunisia’s economic resilience and supports small businesses in accessing regional and international markets, notably the European Union and the Southern Mediterranean.
Through these strategic partnerships, ITC reaffirms its commitment to building sustainable ecosystems where institutions multiply impact and SMEs thrive in the digital economy.
5 February, Tunis, Tunisia – Khabeb Hadhri, director of e-commerce at the Ministry of Commerce and Economic Development highlights the importance of partnerships and acknowledges ITC’s support in advancing Tunisia’s e-commerce ecosystem.
5 February, Tunis, Tunisia – CCIT expressed its appreciation for ITC’s efforts to strengthen Tunisia’s business ecosystem and make small businesses more competitive.
5 February, Tunis, Tunisia – CCIT expressed its appreciation for ITC’s efforts to strengthen Tunisia’s business ecosystem and make small businesses more competitive.
5 February 2026, Tunis, Tunisia – Saoussen Ben Romdhane (ITC), Moncef Ben Jemaa (CCIT), Aslan Ben Rejeb (CONECT), and Khabeb Hadhri (Ministry of Commerce and Export Development) present the new partnerships.