AGP Executive Report

Heatwave Watch: A severe Maghreb heatwave is pushing Tunisia toward 48°C, with the chergui hot, dry wind making conditions worse, while Algeria issues an orange alert as temperatures may hit 49°C. Mobility Tech: Tunisian developer Chouaieb Nemri in France launched Handimap, a real-time app mapping verified accessible parking spots for people with reduced mobility across France. AI Training for Auditors: IIT Madras Zanzibar is running a two-week programme for African government auditors on data science, AI and cybersecurity, including participants from Tunisia. Health Leadership: Tunisian dermatologist Asmahan Souissi won a major international award for Africa, with Tunisia’s health ministry highlighting the role of research and innovation. Public Health Appointments: Tunisia’s Official Gazette published 17 Ministry of Health appointments, including new hospital directors across several governorates. Food Security Pressure: A fertiliser shortage debate is growing as farmers report urea access problems and higher prices, raising concerns ahead of winter vegetable and Boro demand. Tech & Finance in Tunisia: A look at Tunisia’s fintech ecosystem finds a key tension: more digital sophistication alongside rising cash use outside banks. Migration & Safety: Two people died and 12 are missing after a migrant boat capsized off southern Tunisia, with one survivor rescued. EU Policy Debate: Europe’s “return hubs” plan is under scrutiny as implementation details remain unclear.

Tunisia Health & Talent: Dermatologist Asmahan Souissi (Internal Security Forces Hospital, La Marsa) won the 2027 Young Dermatologist International Achievement Award for Africa, with the Health Ministry praising Tunisia’s research and innovation ecosystem. Public Health Administration: Tunisia’s Official Gazette published 17 Ministry of Health appointments, including new hospital directors across Béja, Médenine, Monastir and several local healthcare groups. Water & Infrastructure: Tunisia is turning to seawater desalination in Sousse to tackle water shortages. Migration & Safety: A migrant boat capsized off southern Tunisia; two died and others are missing, while another report highlights bodies found during Mediterranean search flights and the risks of crossings. Aviation Disruption: About 150 easyJet passengers were stranded in Enfidha for nearly three days after a Belfast flight was cancelled due to a technical issue. Food Security & Fertilisers: A fertiliser shock linked to Strait of Hormuz disruptions pushed urea prices sharply higher across Africa, renewing calls for local nutrient and green fertiliser systems. Tunisia Tech & Economy: A fintech ecosystem analysis flags Tunisia’s paradox: more advanced fintech tools, but rising cash outside banks. Regional Science & Tech: Bangladesh’s Team Atlas won a global robotics title in Japan with an AI-powered smart aquaculture platform.

Health & Recognition: Tunisia’s Minister of Health Mustapha Ferjani met dermatologist Asmahan Souissi after she won the 2027 Young Dermatologist International Achievement Award for the Africa region, selected from a record number of global candidates by the International League of Dermatological Societies. Healthcare Leadership: Tunisia’s Official Gazette (JORT No.84, Aug 21, 2026) published 17 appointments to regional hospitals, local hospitals and basic healthcare groups across multiple governorates, with some effective dates going back to May/June. Science & Research: A new study links occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) with poorer sleep quality and higher depression/anxiety among power-plant workers, even below international exposure limits. Public Health & Food Security: A fertiliser-market shock tied to disrupted shipping pushed urea prices sharply higher across Africa, renewing calls to scale local organic fertilisers and nutrient-use efficiency. Tunisia-India Tech Ties: CONECT says Tunisia wants to grow trade with India from about $521m to $1bn in five years, highlighting cooperation in smart irrigation, desalination, pharma and digital engineering. Tech & Society: Tunisia’s fintech ecosystem is advancing, but cash still dominates—cash outside banks hit a record TND27.5bn in February, showing the gap between digital services and everyday payments. Regional Human Impact: A migrant boat capsized off southern Tunisia with two dead and 12 missing; one survivor was rescued.

Tunisia Health & Administration: The Official Gazette (JORT No. 84, Aug 21, 2026) published 17 Ministry of Health appointments, including new leadership for Béja Regional Hospital and several basic healthcare groups and local hospitals across multiple governorates. Tunisia Tech & Economy: A deep-dive reports that Tunisia’s fintech ecosystem is getting more sophisticated, but cash dependence is still rising—cash outside banks hit a record TND27.5billion in February, making adoption the real bottleneck. Tunisia Water & Infrastructure: Sousse is turning to seawater desalination to tackle water shortages, signaling a push toward more resilient local water supply. Tunisia Science & Research: A new review discusses physical agent therapies for chronic low back pain, while another study links occupational exposure to extremely low frequency EMF with poorer sleep and mental health. Tunisia International Links: CONECT says Tunisia wants to grow trade with India from about $521m to $1bn in five years, highlighting opportunities in smart irrigation, desalination, pharma, mechanical and digital industries. Regional Tech & Mobility: EE joins Europe’s 5G slicing push with a consumer “Fast Lane” offer, aiming to reduce congestion during busy periods. Food Security Shock: A fertiliser security analysis warns Africa is still vulnerable to fertiliser price spikes driven by disruptions in key shipping corridors. Migration Tragedy: A migrant boat capsized off Tunisia’s coast; two died and 12 are missing, with one survivor rescued. Space/Robotics Youth: Bangladesh’s Team Atlas won a global robotics challenge in Japan with an AI-powered smart aquaculture project.

Maritime Safety: A Tunisian migrant boat capsized off the southern coast en route to Europe, with 2 dead and 12 missing; one survivor was rescued near Zarzis–Ben Guerdane. Health Appointments: Tunisia’s Official Gazette published 17 leadership appointments across regional hospitals, local hospitals, and basic healthcare groups under the Ministry of Health. Trade & Tech Links: CONECT says Tunisia wants to raise trade with India from about $521m to $1bn in five years, with cooperation flagged in agriculture, smart irrigation, desalination, pharma, mechanical and digital industries. Water & Infrastructure: Tunisia’s Sousse is turning to seawater desalination to tackle water shortages. Research & Workplace Health: A study links occupational exposure to extremely low frequency EMF at power plants with poorer sleep and depression, even below regulatory limits. Healthcare Policy: Tunisia issued key guidelines for reforming the social security system. Science Education: Tunisia’s youth reportedly secured recognition at an international science competition in Tunisia, highlighting growing regional STEM talent.

Tunisia–India Business Tech: CONECT’s Aslan Ben Rejeb says Tunisia wants to lift trade with India from about $521M to $1B in five years, with cooperation flagged in smart irrigation, desalination, pharma, mechanical and digital industries—plus already-present Indian engineering investment. Health Appointments: Tunisia’s Official Gazette (JORT No.84, Aug 21) published 17 leadership appointments across regional hospitals, local hospitals and basic healthcare groups, with some effective dates stretching back to May/June. Fintech vs Cash Reality: A deep look at Tunisia’s digital economy finds fintech is getting more advanced, but cash outside banks hit a record TND27.5B in February, showing the big hurdle is getting the wider economy to use new tech. Workplace EMF & Mental Health: A study links occupational exposure to extremely low frequency EMF at power plants with poorer sleep and higher depression, anxiety and stress—even below major regulatory limits. Robotics Youth Win: Bangladesh’s Team Atlas took a global robotics title in Japan with an AI-powered smart aquaculture platform using IoT and computer vision—an example of how applied AI is reaching agriculture. Global Tech Policy: Germany continues recognizing foreign professional qualifications, with Tunisia among the notable source countries for approved applications.

Tunisia–India Business Ties: CONECT says Tunisia wants to nearly double trade with India from about $521M to $1B in five years, with focus on agriculture mechanization, smart irrigation, desalination, pharma, mechanical and digital industries. Health Sector Appointments: Tunisia’s Official Gazette publishes 17 leadership appointments across regional hospitals, local hospitals and basic healthcare groups under the Ministry of Health. Digital Economy & Cash Use: A deep look at Tunisia’s fintech growth highlights the paradox: more sophisticated apps, but rising cash outside banks (TND27.5B in February), showing the real hurdle is getting the wider economy to use digital rails. Workplace Health & EMF: A study links occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields at power plants with poorer sleep and higher depression/anxiety—below regulatory limits—pushing safer workplace practices. Robotics for Youth: Bangladesh’s Team Atlas wins a global robotics entrepreneur challenge in Japan with an AI-powered smart aquaculture platform using IoT and computer vision. Global Tech Policy: Google offers eligible US college students one free year of AI Pro (with verification), while many other markets get a free year of AI Plus. Science & Medicine Research: Reviews and lab-focused studies cover physical agent therapies for chronic low back pain, pooled testing for SARS-CoV-2, and new findings on antibiotic resistance genes.

Tunisia Fintech: Tunisia’s digital finance push is colliding with a stubborn reliance on physical cash, as cash outside banks hit a record TND27.5bn—raising the key question of how to get the wider economy to actually use new tech. Public Health & Lab Capacity: A study on nasopharyngeal swab pooling aims to boost SARS-CoV-2 testing throughput while cutting costs, but warns about dilution effects when prevalence is low. Workplace Health: Research links extremely low frequency EMF exposure at power plants to poorer sleep and higher depression, anxiety and stress—even below regulatory limits—spotlighting safer workplace practices. Water & Infrastructure: Tunisia’s Sousse is turning to seawater desalination to tackle water shortages, reflecting how climate pressure is forcing tech upgrades. Energy Tech in the Region: Italy’s Terna is expanding submarine electricity interconnections in the Mediterranean, a move that could improve grid resilience and renewable integration. Global Tech Access: Google is offering eligible students a free year of AI Pro (US) or AI Plus (many other markets), with Tunisia notably excluded from the Plus offer.

Tunisia Fintech: A new look at Tunisia’s digital economy highlights a tough trade-off: fintech is getting more capable, but cash still dominates, with cash outside banks hitting a record TND27.5bn in February—so the real challenge is getting the wider economy to use the tech. Public Health & Work: A study links occupational exposure to extremely low frequency EMF near power plants with poorer sleep and higher depression, anxiety and stress—even below major regulatory limits—raising new questions for workplace safety. Migration & Safety at Sea: Civil search flights in the Mediterranean report empty boats and possible interceptions tied to Libyan coastguard practices, underscoring the ongoing risks for people trying to cross. Antibiotic Resistance Watch: A report flags a carbapenem-resistant Comamonas resistens strain carrying blaIMP-8 and other rare β-lactamase genes, adding to the growing global resistance picture. Education Tech: Google’s back-to-school push offers eligible US college students a free year of AI Pro (with higher Gemini limits and 5TB storage), while many other markets get a free year of AI Plus. Tunisia in Science: Tunisia appears in international science coverage via an I-FEST² result—showing local students competing against 1,200 participants from 40+ countries.

Tunisia Science & Tech: Tunisia’s presence shows up in a few science-linked items this week, including a report that I-FEST² in Tunisia drew 1,200 participants and that a Katsina student team won second place in Environmental Science, highlighting cross-border youth research talent. Health & Research Methods: A study on nasopharyngeal swab pooling evaluates how to boost SARS‑CoV‑2 testing capacity using closed real-time RT–PCR assays, aiming to cut costs while keeping sensitivity. Energy Infrastructure: Italy’s Terna submarine cables push Mediterranean interconnection, with the Tyrrhenian Link described as a record-deep, long submarine power project meant to integrate renewables. AI for Students: Google’s back-to-school push offers eligible US college students one free year of AI Pro (with storage and Gemini upgrades), while many others get AI Plus for a year. Human Capital & Migration: Germany reports rising recognition of foreign professional qualifications, with Tunisia among the top source countries for approved cases.

Rail Infrastructure Call: Tunisia’s SNCFT has launched a general call for consultancy firms to shortlist bidders for a high-performance railway line linking northern and southern Tunisia (Phase 1), covering feasibility and preliminary engineering; applications are due Sept 24, 2026. Water & Energy Tech: Tunisia’s Sousse is turning to seawater desalination to tackle water shortages, spotlighting practical climate-resilience infrastructure. Telecom Innovation: EE (BT) joins Europe’s 5G standalone network slicing push with a consumer “Fast Lane” add-on aimed at reducing congestion during peak demand. Health Testing Capacity: A study evaluates nasopharyngeal swab pooling to expand SARS-CoV-2 testing throughput while managing dilution-related false negatives. Tech & Education Access: Google is offering eligible US college students a free year of AI Pro (with higher Gemini limits and 5TB storage), while many other markets get a free year of AI Plus. Mobility & Skills: Germany reports rising recognition of foreign professional qualifications, with Tunisia among the top source countries for approved cases. Regional Travel Demand: KAYAK data points to “shoulder season” savings, with Tunisia listed among destinations seeing notable price drops after summer.

Tunisia Water Security: Sousse’s new seawater desalination plant has entered its trial phase after reaching 100% completion, with a capacity of 50,000 m³/day (expandable to 100,000) to help cut drinking-water shortages affecting Monastir and Mahdia too. Rail Infrastructure: Tunisia’s national rail operator (SNCFT) has launched a call for consultancy firms to shortlist bidders for a feasibility and preliminary engineering study for a high-performance north–south railway line, with applications due Sept 24, 2026. AI for Students: Google is offering eligible US college students a free year of AI Pro (plus 5TB storage and health premium), while many other markets get a free year of AI Plus—an easy win for study support ahead of the new semester. Demographics & Fertility: New research argues global fertility may already be below replacement, with declines hitting middle-income countries fast—raising fresh pressure on growth and planning. Tech & Skills Mobility: Germany approved 86,600 foreign professional qualification recognitions in 2025, with Tunisia among the top source countries for successful cases. MENA Startups: MENA startups raised about $173M in July, with funding growth driven more by debt than equity.

Education & STEM Momentum: Tunisia’s tech scene gets a boost from SNCFT’s new call for consultancy bids for a high-performance north–south railway feasibility study, with applications due 24 Sep 2026. Water Tech in Action: Sousse’s seawater desalination plant has entered its trial phase, aiming for 50,000 m³/day (expandable to 100,000) to ease severe drinking-water shortages. AI for Students: Google’s back-to-school offer gives eligible US college students one free year of AI Pro (plus 5TB storage and health premium), while many other markets get AI Plus for a year. Research Funding: SUNY Potsdam geoscientists won a National Science Foundation grant to study ancient waters in Atlantic Canada—work that could inform life’s evolution and energy/mineral resources. Human Capital Mobility: Germany approved 86,600 foreign professional qualification recognitions in 2025, with Tunisia among the top source countries. Regional Trade Signals: Türkiye’s exports to Africa hit $13.3bn in seven months (+12.6%), including growth to Tunisia (+9.9%).

Demographics & Policy: Economists warn the world may already be below replacement fertility, with the steepest drops hitting poorer, less-educated women in low- and middle-income countries—fueling fresh investor focus on aging-driven automation and robotics. Workforce Mobility: Germany approved 86,600 foreign professional qualification recognitions in 2025 (up ~10%), with Tunisia among the top sources (5,400), and nursing, doctors and engineers dominating approvals. Tunisia Water Tech: Sousse’s seawater desalination plant has reached 100% completion and is in trial testing, targeting 50,000 m³/day (expandable to 100,000) to ease drinking-water shortages affecting Monastir and Mahdia too. Education & Research: President Kaïs Saïed marked Knowledge Day, urging stronger support for pupils and students nationwide, including transport, healthcare, supplies and learning tools. Rail Infrastructure: SNCFT launched a call for consultancy firms to shortlist bidders for Phase 1 feasibility and preliminary engineering of a high-performance north–south railway line, with applications due Sept 24, 2026. AI for Students: Google offers eligible college students a free year of Gemini AI Pro (US) or AI Plus (many other markets), with redemption via student verification.

Tunisia Water Security: Sousse’s new seawater desalination plant has reached 100% completion and entered its trial phase, with testing underway; the facility is set to produce 50,000 m³/day (expandable to 100,000) to help ease frequent drinking-water cuts that have triggered protests and higher bottled-water prices. Rail Infrastructure: SNCFT has launched a call for applications to shortlist consultancy firms for a feasibility and preliminary engineering study for a high-performance railway linking northern and southern Tunisia (Phase 1); submissions close Sept 24, 2026. Education & Research: President Kaïs Saïed chaired Tunisia’s Knowledge Day ceremony, honoring education, higher education, and scientific research award winners, and urged stronger support for learners nationwide. Regional Tech & Culture: BilAraby (Qatar Foundation) wrapped up a three-city Arabic dialogue tour with Tunisian participation, bringing youth-focused discussions to Damascus, Amman, and Djerba. Social Protection Reform: A Tunisian ministerial working session began drafting legal texts to reform the social security system, prioritizing pension adjustments and expanding coverage for informal workers and platform-economy workers.

Education & Research: President Kaïs Saïed chaired Tunisia’s Knowledge Day ceremony, honoring education, higher education and scientific research winners, and urged stronger support for pupils and students nationwide—especially transport, healthcare, supplies and learning tools. Social Security Reform: Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri led a working session to draft legal texts for structural social security reforms, including pension adjustments to demographic and labor-market shifts and expanding coverage for informal workers, agriculture/fisheries employees, self-employed people and platform-economy workers. Digital Youth Insights: UNICEF and GSMA’s global U-Report poll on young people’s digital experiences collected 211,300 responses across 119 countries, including questions on AI use and what youth want governments to do online. Regional Tech & Culture: Qatar Foundation’s BilAraby “in…” series wrapped up after a Damascus–Amman–Djerba tour, bringing Arabic ideas to local communities with nearly 1,000 attendees and speakers from Syria, Jordan and Tunisia. Sports Support: Tunisia-linked coverage highlights NTTF praising Babcock University for hosting and supporting youth table tennis teams ahead of international competitions. Tunisia Economy: INS reported Tunisia’s GDP grew 2.3% in Q2 2026 (vs Q2 2025), with services and agriculture contributing, while energy/mining fell.