AFREEQUE
Top stories
🇹🇳 TunisiaBusiness

Tunisia records 1,519.9 million dinar deficit with Russia

By , based on Tunisia Online

Tunisia records 1,519.9 million dinar deficit with RussiaIllustrative image · Pankaj Mishra · Pexels · Licence Pexels

Tunisia recorded a trade deficit of 1,519.9 million dinars with Russia in the first nine months of 2026, with imports reaching 1,552.3 million compared with exports of 32.4 million. This contrasts with Russia-Africa trade estimated at $27 billion in 2025, according to Tunisia Online.

Tunisia recorded a trade deficit of 1,519.9 million dinars with Russia during the first nine months of 2026. Tunisian exports to Russia reached 32.4 million dinars, compared with 1,552.3 million dinars in imports, according to data reported by Tunisia Online.

Tunisian exports therefore covered only about 2.1% of the corresponding imports. The imbalance emerged as Tunisian Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri attended the Russia-Africa summit held in Moscow on 28 and 29 October, with delegations from 48 African countries, including 22 represented at head-of-state level.

Across the continent, Russia-Africa trade is estimated at $27 billion or $27.8 billion in 2025, far below the $40 billion target set in 2019. Trade in goods between China and Africa reached $348.05 billion in 2025, while trade in goods between the European Union and Africa amounted to nearly €355 billion in 2024, according to figures cited by Tunisia Online.

Tunisia’s deficit comes after Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri promoted Tunisian exports in Moscow on 29 October. Tunisian prime minister promotes exports in Moscow, after being received by Vladimir Putin at the Russia-Africa summit.

Share this article

Related stories

Tunisia’s energy deficit reaches 10.480 billion dinars

Tunisia’s energy trade deficit reached 10.480 billion dinars, around half of the overall trade deficit, while foreign exchange reserves covered 93 days of imports. Finance Minister Mechkat Salma Khaldi also said imports rose by 13.1%, compared with 8.6% for exports, during a parliamentary hearing on 29 October.

🇹🇳 Tunisia · Source: Webdo ·

Tunisia plans 26.722 billion dinars in borrowing for 2027

Tunisia’s draft budget for 2027 provides for 26.722 billion dinars in borrowing resources, including two international bond issues worth €450 million and $350 million. These direct private financings could supplement domestic borrowing and Central Bank facilities, according to the report accompanying the draft budget.

🇹🇳 Tunisia · Source: La Presse de Tunisie ·

Tunisia signs El Menzah reconstruction contract

Tunisia signed a contract for the complete reconstruction of El Menzah Olympic Stadium with a Chinese consortium formed by China Railway Construction Engineering Group and China CAMC Engineering, at an estimated cost of 520 to 600 million dinars and over 30 to 36 months, according to La Presse de Tunisie and Webdo. The ceremony took place on 29 October 2026 at the Ministry of Equipment and Housing.

🇹🇳 Tunisia · Source: La Presse de Tunisie ·

WTO mobilises more than $223bn for least developed countries

Members of the World Trade Organisation have mobilised more than $223 billion in trade-related development aid for least developed countries, including Madagascar. The aid aims in particular to facilitate market access through duty-free exports and simplified rules of origin, according to Midi Madagasikara.

🇲🇬 Madagascar · Source: Midi Madagasikara ·

🇹🇳 Latest from Tunisia

Map: TunisiaTunisian court upholds 33-year sentence for Ali HliouiTunisia’s judiciary upheld Ali Hlioui’s 33-year prison sentence in absentia in the case involving the conspiracy against state security 1. Arrested on 14 June 2025 in Bizerte, he was detained to serve the sentence, according to Business News.All Tunisia news →

Business in North Africa

Dakhla desalination plant to produce 37 million cubic metresDakhla desalination plant to produce 37 million cubic metresDakhla's desalination plant will produce nearly 37 million cubic metres of water annually, including 30 million for irrigation and 7 million for drinking water. The project is expected to mobilise 4 billion dirhams in agricultural investment and create around 20,000 jobs each year, according to minister Khalid Hatimy.All Business news →

The week in Africa

This week’s highlights

  1. China, Pakistan and Somalia explain Sahara abstentions🇲🇦 Morocco
  2. Ebola: more than 10,200 cases and 5,000 deaths in Africa, Africa CDC says🇨🇩 DR Congo
  3. CAF restores Africa Cup of Nations to a two-year cycle🌍 World
  4. 596 tanker trucks reach Bamako under military escort🇲🇱 Mali
  5. Ibrahim Index: economic progress and freedoms decline in 25 African countries🌍 World
All of this week’s highlights →

Africa in your inbox

Be the first to get our letter in English: the essentials from every region of the continent, free.

← Back to the news