A National Debut That Made an Impact

For the first time, Tunisia took centre stage at London Tech Week 2025 with a dedicated national pavilion, marking a significant milestone in the country’s journey as a rising innovation hub on the African continent.

“This year, Tunisia is no longer just a visitor — it is a contributor, a visible player showcasing the talent and capabilities of its tech ecosystem,” said Nejia Gharbi, Director General of Tunisia’s Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC).

Held from June 9 to 13 in London, the event is one of the world’s largest gatherings dedicated to innovation, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship. Tunisia was represented by a dynamic delegation of around 30 startups and tech companies, active in key sectors such as cybersecurity, digital health, and artificial intelligence. Investors, accelerators, and members of the Tunisian diaspora in the UK also took part in this landmark initiative.

A National Pavilion Amplifying Tunisia’s Innovation Potential

The Tunisian Pavilion served as a strategic platform for startups to pitch their solutions to an international audience of investors, development funders, and policy leaders. It was also a vibrant meeting space for the Tunisian community in the UK, who welcomed the country’s visibility at such a prestigious event.

Tunisia was spotlighted on Day One of the event during a dedicated Startup Stage session, where the country’s ecosystem was presented as a model for Africa. Special mention was made of Tunisia’s internationally acclaimed Startup Act, a forward-looking legal framework that has helped accelerate startup growth, attract investment, and foster collaboration between public and private actors.

High-Level Engagement and International Endorsement

The Tunisian participation was backed by strong institutional support, including a visit by Ezzeddine Ben Cheikh, Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, and the Tunisian Ambassador to the UK.

The pavilion was also visited by Sarah Olney, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Tunisia and North Africa, who reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to tech as a driver of prosperity and praised Tunisia’s talents and business-friendly environment. She highlighted the importance of government-backed actions to support entrepreneurs through concrete initiatives.

Strategic Partnerships Behind Tunisia’s Presence

This first national showcase was co-organised by the Tunisian-British Chamber of Commerce (TBCC) and CONECT International, in collaboration with the Tunisian and British embassies. It formed part of the “Innovative Startups and SMEs” project, funded by the World Bank and implemented by the CDC in partnership with Smart Capital.

The project plays a pivotal role in building a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in Tunisia by funding equity and quasi-equity investments and supporting ecosystem actors such as incubators and accelerators. A strong emphasis is placed on inclusive innovation — especially for women-led startups and companies based in underserved regions of the country.

Fostering Economic and Diplomatic Momentum

“Beyond tech visibility, this participation strengthens a growing bilateral economic relationship,” said Jed Mrabet, President of the TBCC. In 2023, trade between Tunisia and the United Kingdom reached TND 1.7 billion, with a surplus in Tunisia’s favour (127.8% coverage rate). Since the post-Brexit partnership agreement signed in 2019, both countries have deepened cooperation across multiple sectors.

For Aslan Ben Rejb, President of CONECT, the message is clear: Tunisia aims to become a leading tech hub in Africa, backed by a motivated youth, an innovative regulatory framework, and a national will to expand across international markets.