Funding a small business in Tunisia through microfinance
In Tunisia, microcredit is provided by seven licensed microfinance companies, such as Enda Tamweel and Taysir, and by local associations refinanced by BTS Bank, under ACM supervision, with a loan cap raised to 50,000 dinars in 2023.
The Microfinance Supervisory Authority
Created by a 2011 decree-law, the ACM is an independent body that includes representatives of the Ministry of Finance and the BCT. It licenses institutions, monitors their indicators and publishes data on the Tunisian sector every year.
Microfinance companies active in Tunisia
Enda Tamweel, a pioneer since 1995, leads the market alongside Taysir Microfinance, Baobab Tunisie (formerly Microcred), the Centre financier aux entrepreneurs, Advans Tunisie and Zitouna Tamkeen, which provides microfinance in line with Islamic principles.
Around 290 microcredit associations
Alongside the limited companies, some 289 microcredit associations operate at district level, often with small amounts. Historically refinanced by BTS Bank, they reach rural borrowers who live far from the branches in Tunis or Sfax.
A sector with more than 800,000 clients
At the end of 2024, Tunisian microfinance served more than 800,000 borrowers, against about 769,000 a year earlier, with an outstanding portfolio close to 2.56 billion dinars spread across 232 branches of the licensed institutions.
Loan cap raised to 50,000 dinars
In 2023 the government raised the maximum microloan to 50,000 dinars and opened access to legal entities under conditions set by decree. In practice, most loans remain well below this ceiling, especially for first-time borrowers.
A 25.7% average APR: a high cost
The ACM recorded an average APR of 25.7% at the end of 2024, insurance included, and is concerned about its effect on the inclusion of the most vulnerable. This level is far above bank rates, because close monitoring costs weigh on small amounts.
Agricultural microcredit in the regions
In 2021, farming accounted for around 29% of the activities financed by the institutions evaluated by the AFD. Our page on a farmer loan in Tunisia also covers the BNA and the incentives offered by the APIA agency.
Trade, crafts and urban services
In Sousse, Nabeul or Ben Arous, microcredit mainly finances a stock of goods, a sewing machine, a carpentry workshop or a small hair salon. Repayments are monthly and the loan officer regularly visits the business to follow its progress.
Women borrowers and joint guarantees
The share of women among financed clients fell from 67% in 2014 to 45% in 2021 in the sample evaluated by the AFD. Some products rely on the joint guarantee of a group rather than on physical collateral.
Bank honour loans, a new alternative
Since October 2026, someone with a small project can also ask a bank for an interest-free honour loan of up to 10,000 dinars. Our guide to a loan without a job in Tunisia sets out the options for people without a salary.
Spotting a genuinely licensed institution
Only companies and associations on the ACM lists may grant microloans. An online page promising financing in return for upfront fees, with no branch and no verifiable licence, is almost always a scam aimed at vulnerable borrowers.
Tunisian microfinance compared with Algeria
The Tunisian model, built on licensed private companies, differs from the public system in Algeria. To compare, see our page on microcredit in Algeria and the role of ANGEM in financing small activities there.
Getting a microloan from a Tunisian institution
- Check that the institution or association is among the players licensed by the ACM before any appointment.
- Go to the nearest branch with your ID card and a costed description of the current or planned activity.
- Receive a visit from the loan officer, who assesses the premises, stock, sales and family budget.
- Provide a guarantor or form a joint liability group if the chosen product requires it.
- Sign the contract after checking the APR, insurance and monthly repayment schedule.
- Repay on time to gain access to a second financing cycle for a larger amount.
Key figures for Tunisian microcredit
| Indicator | Value | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Legal cap per loan | 50,000 TND (indicative, since 2023) | Typical amounts are much lower |
| Sector average APR | 25.7% (indicative, end of 2024) | Insurance included, according to the ACM |
| Total outstanding portfolio | 2.56 billion TND (indicative, end of 2024) | Seven institutions and around 290 associations |
| Number of clients | More than 800,000 (indicative, 2024) | Up over one year |
| Arrangement fees | Variable | Each institution's own tariff |
Documents requested for a microloan in Tunisia
- Valid national ID card
- Proof of residence or a certificate issued by the omda
- Business licence, professional card or activity certificate if available
- Quotes or pro forma invoices for the equipment to be bought
- ID card and proof of income of any guarantor
Common microcredit pitfalls in Tunisia
- Borrowing from two institutions at once to repay one with the other, a spiral that quickly leads to over-indebtedness.
- Using the microloan for a family expense unrelated to the business, then missing the first instalments.
- Paying fees to a fake agent claiming to represent Enda or Taysir on social media.
- Ignoring the real APR and comparing only the monthly instalment, when insurance and fees noticeably raise the cost.
Lenders to contact
- Enda Tamweel: Tunisian microfinance institution granting microloans to micro-entrepreneurs, including in rural areas, backed by banking partners and development funders.
- BH Bank (Banque de l'Habitat): Tunisian bank historically specialised in housing, offering home loans to individuals as well as working-capital financing for professionals and businesses.
Microfinance in Tunisia: practical answers
What is the maximum amount of a microloan in Tunisia?
Since the government measures of 2023, the regulatory ceiling has been 50,000 dinars. First loans to a new client remain far more modest, however, with the institution increasing the amount as each cycle is repaid without delay.
Why does Tunisian microcredit cost more than a bank loan?
Institutions manage small amounts with field-based monitoring, which drives up their costs. The ACM measured an average APR of 25.7% at the end of 2024, insurance included, and judged this level worrying for financial inclusion.
Do you need a business licence to get a microloan in Tunisia?
Not always. Many institutions finance informal or start-up activities after a visit from the loan officer. A business licence or registration in the National Business Register does, however, help in obtaining larger amounts.
Is there Islamic microcredit in Tunisia?
Yes. Zitouna Tamkeen, linked to the Banque Zitouna group, provides financing for small activities in line with Islamic finance principles, for example as a sale with a margin known in advance rather than an interest-bearing loan.