The Tunisian government plans to request approximately $3.7 billion in exceptional direct funding from the central bank in 2026 to fill its fiscal deficit, according to the budget bill.
This move aims to address the country’s severe financial crisis, marked by high public debt, weak growth, and limited access to external funding.
Tunisia’s economic strain has forced the government to find urgent solutions to stabilize finances and maintain public services. Earlier this year, the government borrowed $2.3 billion to repay urgent debts, a move experts warned could lead to inflation.
The country will require internal and external financing of around $8.7 billion in 2026, similar to this year’s amount.
Additionally, Tunisia may issue sukuk worth $2.3 billion in 2026, its first such issuance.
Experts caution that Tunisia’s renewed reliance on domestic borrowing risks diverting the banking sector’s focus from financing the real economy to covering the government’s budget deficit.
The budget is projected to increase from $19.4 billion to $20.6 billion, with plans to raise wages in the public and private sectors and impose a 1% wealth tax on properties valued above $1.6 million.
