As part of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Tunisia has issued between 200 and 300 certificates of origin for the export of local products to several African countries.
According to Chawki Jaballi, Head of Customs Capacity Building and Training at the AfCFTA secretariat, this is a satisfactory figure given the obstacles encountered on the continent.
A certificate of origin is an official document confirming the country in which a product was manufactured, processed or handled.
This certificate is essential for the customs clearance process, as it proves the origin of the product when it enters the importing country.
Thanks to this document, exporters can benefit from reduced customs duties”. This mechanism should be strengthened with the progressive implementation of the AfCFTA, allowing for the elimination of customs duties by January 2026,” he adds.
According to the Export Promotion Center (CEPEX), Tunisia has untapped potential in terms of exports to the African continent, estimated at around $1.2 billion.
Despite ongoing efforts, Tunisia’s exports to certain key African markets remain limited and this potential remains largely untapped.
The geographical areas with the greatest export potential for Tunisia are North Africa, with an estimated potential of $754 million, West Africa, with around $270 million, and East Africa, with a potential of $94 million.
Tunisia’s further integration into this continental market could open up new opportunities for Tunisian exporters, particularly in the textile, agro-food, chemical and construction materials sectors, which are already areas of expertise for the country.
By creating a single market of 1.3 billion consumers and a combined GDP of $3,400 billion, the AfCFTA aims to increase intra-African trade by 53%.
In addition, the initiative is expected to increase industrial output by $1,000 billion, reduce poverty for 50 million people and create up to 14 million additional jobs by 2030.
