Tunisia has made significant progress in the energy transition, ranking second in Africa according to the 2025 Energy Transition Index (ETI) published by the World Economic Forum in partnership with Accenture. This global ranking, which evaluates 118 countries, places Tunisia at 62nd position with an overall score of 54.6 points, marking a notable improvement of 27 places compared to 2024.

A Ranking Based on Three Key Criteria

The ETI measures countries’ energy performance according to three main dimensions:

• Equity in energy access: Tunisia scores 59.7, reflecting good access to electricity in urban areas, despite relatively high costs for households.
• Supply security: Also scoring 59.7, Tunisia has reduced its dependence on energy imports, thereby strengthening its energy security.
• Environmental sustainability: This remains the weakest area, with a score of 46.9, due to the low share of renewable energy in the national energy mix, which still does not exceed 5%.

Structural Efforts and an Ambitious National Strategy

This progress is the result of sustained efforts over several years, notably through the national strategy launched in 2015 and driven by the Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas (STEG). Tunisia is focusing on innovative pilot projects, particularly in green hydrogen, and has established a regulatory framework favorable to the integration of renewable energies. The goal is to increase the share of renewables to 35% of energy consumption by 2030.

A Strong Position in Africa and the Maghreb

On the African continent, Tunisia is only surpassed by Nigeria, which holds the top African spot at 61st globally. Tunisia ranks well ahead of countries like Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, and Algeria, making it a major player in the energy transition in North Africa. This achievement is even more remarkable given that Sub-Saharan Africa’s average score is significantly lower due to ongoing challenges such as limited rural energy access and dependence on fossil fuels.

Potential and Challenges for Tunisia

Tunisia benefits from substantial solar and wind potential, estimated at a theoretical capacity of 320 gigawatts—far exceeding the current demand of 5 gigawatts. This potential positions the country as a future key player in renewable energy and green hydrogen production, with export prospects toward Europe. However, Tunisia still faces major challenges, including grid saturation and the need to mobilize significant financing to deploy its large-scale projects.

Outlook for 2030

Tunisia’s energy strategy aims to profoundly transform the national energy mix, with a growing share of renewables and improved sector governance. To achieve the target of 35% renewable energy by 2030, the country will need to intensify investments, strengthen infrastructure, and continue regulatory reforms. Tunisia’s energy transition is thus on a positive trajectory, making it a model in Africa despite the economic and technical challenges that remain to be overcome.