HOW digitalization is driving entrepreneurship in Tunisia
Digitalization is changing our lives with unprecedented speed. New technologies have revolutionized the way businesses operate, how people connect and exchange information, and how they interact with the public and private sectors. To try and capture the enormous value created by the digital economy and make a success of digital transformation, Tunisia has introduced plans like Digital Tunisia 2025 and the Startup Act . Whilst the COVID-19 crisis has accelerated digital transformation, and proven digitalization is a powerful tool for disseminating entrepreneurial culture and learning, businesses still face a number of barriers to fully exploit the potential of digital technologies.
A new report published by Mashrou3i highlights the opportunities and challenges that digitalization presents Tunisian entrepreneurs, especially those operating in the country's interior regions. In this article, we explore how digitalization can be a lever for promoting entrepreneurship and business development. We also meet some of the entrepreneurs supported by the Mashrou3i project, who have positioned themselves to take advantage of the current and future opportunities of the digital revolution.
Embracing DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES TO ENHANCE PERFORMANCE
Digital technologies are helping entrepreneurs in the interior regions to accelerate the development of their businesses. Launched in 2022, Bio Lab is a medical laboratory founded by Dr. Adel Mehrez in Gabes. With the support of Mashrou3i, Bio Lab has integrated state-of-the-art software to optimize efficiency and improve service quality. The interconnected digital tool simplifies daily management and improves the speed and accuracy of analyses.
Mashrou3i supported me to acquire one of the best software used in modern laboratories. This interconnected tool has enhanced the quality of our services while also ensuring the speed and reliability of patients' results.” - Adel Mehrez, Bio Lab, Gabes
The digital world: a new source of inspiration and innovation
The Internet and the digital world have inspired entrepreneurs like Hajer El Hedi to innovate and to improve products, services and processes. In 2020, the young entrepreneur from Tatouine launched Examido - an interactive educational platform where teachers and students learn, interact and collaborate with one another. Mashrou3i provided business coaching and technical support in the development of content and programming of the Examido mobile app. The innovative platform is also one of the first businesses in the South of Tunisia to be awarded with the Startup Act Label - a new law designed to advance digitalization and the next generation of Tunisian startups.
My company was officially labelled in August 2020. I was the first entrepreneur to receive the startup label in Tataouine, which is a great source of pride! This marks the beginning of a new era in the technology sector in the south of the country." - Hajer El Hedi, Examido, Tataouine
Digitalization IMPROVES MARKET ACCESS AND TRANSFORMS BUSINESS MODELS
The development of digital platforms and the use of social networks has expanded market opportunities for Tunisian entrepreneurs and businesses. Operating in regions with small market sizes, entrepreneurs like Mayckel Hermassi are tapping into new opportunities through the digital world.
Mayckel Hermassi launched Pro Design, a carpentry business specialized in CNC wood cutting and digital engraving in Kasserine in 2021. Mashrou3i provided Mayckel with training on administrative procedures and taxation to access information and improve the daily management of his business. With the support of Mashrou3i, the entrepreneur also strengthened his digital marketing skills to enable Pro Design to reach new markets.
Thanks to Mashrou3i's digital marketing training, I'm showcasing my designs online and getting orders from new customers.” - Mayckel Hermassi, Kasserine
acceleration of digitalization during the COVID-19 period
For many Mashrou3i project beneficiaries, the COVID-19 pandemic and periods of confinement were also an opportunity to improve their digital skills through HP LIFE, to discover new online tools and to identify opportunities for market expansion and sales.
Faced with an acceleration in digital transformation, entrepreneurs like Ayoub Zammouri quickly changed their business model towards online sales services. The young entrepreneur from Medenine launched Makhtoum, an online platform for the promotion and marketing of local products and handicrafts.
The world today is connected, we have no other choice but to adapt. I wanted to combine the digital world with the agriculture and handicraft sectors, to promote local products while also taking advantage of the opportunities offered by digital transformation.” - Ayoub Zammouri, Makhtoum, Medenine
NEW MASHRou3i REPORT on DIGITALIZATION
Learn more about the opportunities and challenges entrepreneurs face in this recent Mashrou3i Report: "Digitalization as a lever for promoting entrepreneurship and business development in Tunisia". The findings are based on a qualitative study, including interviews with 25 Mashrou3i project stakeholders and a review of recently published materials on this subject. The report highlights best practices and lessons learned from the implementation of the Mashrou3i project and outlines barriers limiting the full exploitation of digitalization to promote entrepreneurship in the interior regions. It also presents recommendations for enhancing the digital entrepreneurial ecosystem.
ARTICLE: entrepreneurship in the digital age
ABOUT MASHROU3I
Mashrou3i (‘my project’ in Arabic) is a joint project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the HP Foundation and UNIDO. Mashrou3i fosters youth entrepreneurship in Tunisia and supports the creation and growth of enterprises. The project combines UNIDO’s on-the-ground experience supporting beneficiaries in the creation and growth of small businesses, its working relationships with Tunisian partner organizations and HP’s Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs (HP LIFE) programme, which consists of free online courses covering basic business, IT and entrepreneurship skills. Stay up to date on all Mashrou3i's project activities and latest entrepreneur success stories by exploring our website and following our social media pages (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).