In a world where change is the only constant, robust and up-to-date IT knowledge is a prerequisite for modern businesses whose growth and efficiency are closely tied to the development of IT infrastructure and smart processes. This technological hustle has increased the demand for a skilled workforce capable of sustaining companies’ smart transformation and adaptation through intelligent means.
Tunisia has emerged as a leading African country in the field of (ICT) with its state-of-the-art telecommunications network, substantial internet penetration rate, and flourishing entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Tunisian government has a national ICT development strategy that focuses on enhancing internet access, stimulating innovation and entrepreneurship, and providing skill-based training to cater to the local and global market’s demands. As a matter of fact, the ICT sector contributes about 7% to the country’s GDP, with over 50,000 people employed in the field.
The fertile technological landscape in Tunisia owes its prosperity to the body of highly skilled graduates and engineers across various IT branches, as well as their premium, widely endorsed training. Tunisian IT professionals are proficient in various programming languages and technologies, including Java, C++, .NET, and mobile app development. Tunisian IT talent has a reputation for database management, network administration, IT security, software development, data analysis, web development, and trending JavaScript web applications such as React, Vue.js, and AngularJS frameworks. As an incentive to support the growth of the IT industry, the government has invested in developing IT infrastructure, such as high-speed internet and fiber-optic networks. This has enticed multinational companies to establish their operations in the country, as well as encouraging the growth of a thriving startup ecosystem.
Tunisia trains about 12,000 computer engineers each year in roughly 50 institutions that include universities, public and private tertiary-level institutions, and schools, to support its ICT industry and align with the international workforce demand. Tunisian programming skills are taught in various programming languages, including Python, Dart, PHP, and .NET, instructed in public and private sectors equally. Tunisian IT professionals’ diverse technical skills are not isolated from vital, key areas such as supply chain, finance, management, banks, and telecommunication. In fact, Tunisian IT experts are functionally integrated into various sectors, including services, banking, utilities, energy, and tourism.
Mobile app development is another prosperous branch of the Tunisian IT training, where React Native, Flutter, Xamarin, Ionic, Firebase, and Parse are commonly used software. In the user experience design, UX & UI are integrated into the training programs among others. Tunisia’s data analysis expertise is also highly sought after by businesses worldwide.
Languages are another asset that brings Tunisian IT experts to the international scene with the competitive edge of smooth integration. Tunisians grow up multilingual thanks to the globalization-aware educational system. With Arabic, French, and English being widely spoken, they are able to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues from different parts of the world, making Tunisia an attractive location for outsourcing and offshoring services.
Here is some additional data regarding Tunisia’s global positioning with regards to investment facilitation and collaboration factors.
1st best startup Visa program in Africa (Startups Without Borders (SWIBO) – 2020)
2nd number of graduates in science and engineering worldwide (Global Innovation Index, 2020)
2nd level of maturity of governments in the field of Artificial Intelligence in Africa (Government AI Readiness Index, 2019)
3rd most innovative economy in Africa (Global Innovation Index, 2020, WIPO)
4th in competitiveness of skills in Africa (Global Talent Competitiveness Index, 2020, INSEAD)
