Tunisia seeks energy projects with Russia
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Business News
Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti told Russian ambassador Alexander Zolotov that Tunis wanted to develop energy projects with Moscow. During their 30 October meeting, the two officials discussed strengthening the partnership, described as strategic for Tunisia’s energy security, according to a ministry statement cited by Business News.
Tunisia’s Foreign Minister, Mohamed Ali Nafti, expressed Tunis’s desire to develop energy projects with Russia on Friday 30 October, during a meeting with Russian ambassador Alexander Zolotov. Tunisia’s Foreign Ministry said the two officials had discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in this sector, which Tunisia considers strategic.
Mohamed Ali Nafti referred to new partnership opportunities and economically viable projects designed to meet national priorities and contribute to the country’s energy security, according to the ministry. By the end of August 2026, Tunisia’s energy deficit had reached 4.7 million tonnes of oil equivalent, up 12% year on year, while the energy independence rate had fallen to 32%, from 36% a year earlier.
Tunisia had recorded no new hydrocarbon discoveries by the end of July 2026, despite drilling two exploration wells and three development wells, according to the National Observatory of Energy and Mines. The number of active exploration and prospecting permits had fallen from 15 to 12 in one year.
The meeting took place the day after the third Russia-Africa summit, held in Moscow on 28 and 29 October. Tunisia’s head of government met Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, on 29 October during the Russia-Africa summit meeting.
