A comprehensive free trade agreement between Tunisia and Algeria may no longer be a fanciful idea!
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AfricanManager, 13 Décembre 2025
A comprehensive free trade agreement between Tunisia and Algeria may no longer be a fanciful idea!
Are the times ripe for both countries to turn what has long been a conceptual vision into a tangible reality for their peoples?
Talks of a full free trade agreement between the two nations have frequently surfaced, seen as increasingly necessary and strongly recommended by their major partner, the European Union.
Samir Majoul, President of Tunisia’s UTICA (Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts), recently called for such an agreement to remove customs and non-customs barriers and facilitate duty-free trade between the two countries.
Speaking at the opening of the Tunisian-Algerian Economic Forum in Tunis, he stressed the importance of promoting joint investment, enabling investors from both countries to operate freely across all economic sectors, access financing from banks and financial institutions in both nations, and benefit from reciprocal freedom of movement, residence, property, and investment.
Majoul also highlighted the need to focus on high-value and strategic sectors, including agriculture, fisheries, agri-food and pharmaceutical industries, health, energy and renewable energy, cybersecurity, and the knowledge economy.
He added that projects in public works, automotive components, textiles and clothing, technical textiles, leather and footwear, tourism, environment, transport, and logistics should also be encouraged.
He called for the full liberalization of both countries’ currencies and economic and tourism transactions, following an agreement between the central banks on a unified exchange rate, and advocated developing a tripartite partnership between Tunisian, Algerian, and African companies.
Results still below potential
According to Majoul, past bilateral meetings have created real cooperation opportunities, but results have fallen short of the ambitions and potential of both countries. He stressed the need to explore new areas of collaboration in priority sectors, leveraging the comparative and competitive advantages of the two economies, as well as the trust of private sector actors.
For his part, Kamel Moula, President of the Algerian Council for Economic Renewal (CREA), said it is essential to develop cooperation in the automotive industry, where Tunisia is a leading player.
He noted that Algeria has strengthened its investment capacity in this sector through innovation and adaptation to global market developments.
“With more than 155 active companies, the automotive sector is a pillar of the Tunisian industry, generating tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs,” he said.
Moula proposed modernizing Algerian SMEs, adopting international standards, and creating an integrated system through partnership platforms linking automotive manufacturers in both countries.
He added that the Tunisian Association of Automotive Component Manufacturers, the Partnership Exchange, and Algerian companies, supported by UTICA and CREA, could establish a joint roadmap.
He also highlighted that pooling efforts in subcontracting could help create a strong industrial hub that generates wealth and jobs while promoting knowledge and skills transfer.
Regarding tourism, Moula expressed Algeria’s interest in developing this high-potential sector by relying on Tunisian expertise, suggesting that the exchange of experience and professional training could build a strategic partnership for joint growth and enhanced regional integration.
