The French Development Agency (AFD), the Tunisian Deposit and Consignment Fund (CDC) and Expertise France have launched the “Watani” project, a €5 million program aimed at stimulating entrepreneurship, strengthening innovation, and supporting economic inclusion in Tunisia by leveraging the dynamics and expertise of the diaspora.
Financed by the AFD and implemented by Expertise France, the “Watani” project builds on the CDC’s structuring role in national economic and inclusive development. This cooperation aims to strengthen existing entrepreneurial support mechanisms, foster the emergence of projects with high local impact, and create economic bridges with Tunisians living abroad.
The project comes at a time when Tunisia has, over more than a decade, cultivated a remarkable entrepreneurial ecosystem, driven by the combined commitment of public, private, and civil society actors.
Alongside the state and the Ministry of Communication Technologies (MTC), key institutions such as the Deposit and Consignment Fund (CDC) and the Tunisia Development Foundation (FTD) play a leading role in structuring and professionalizing this collective momentum. This dynamic has contributed to the adoption of the Startup Act in 2018, positioning Tunisia as one of the most innovative ecosystems in the region.
The “Watani” project is led nationally by the Deposit and Consignment Fund (CDC) and adopts an integrated approach linking entrepreneurship, innovation, and the engagement of Tunisians living abroad.
The project will support the development of entrepreneurial activities in several regions, notably through existing structures such as The Dot or ELIFE, to offer tailored programs for young people, including those at risk of emigration, women, and returning migrants.
Beyond supporting project leaders, the project will also help accelerate the growth of high-potential enterprises through a dedicated grant window for support structures and innovative assistance mechanisms. It will also contribute to securing the business model of The Dot, a key reference platform within Tunisia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Finally, special attention will be given to Tunisians living abroad, who represent a strategic resource in terms of investment, innovation, and skills transfer.
A savings mobilization platform will be developed, along with tailored support through the The Dot Landing program, to assist Tunisian entrepreneurs based overseas who wish to invest or engage in economic projects in Tunisia.
By strengthening support structures, facilitating access to resources, and reconnecting talents from within and outside the country, the “Watani” project aims to create an environment conducive to generating sustainable opportunities and anchoring entrepreneurial innovation within local territories.
