Tunisian government decided to use the €207,852,300 (DT471 million) it got from selling 4G licences to support its budget support program for regional development and job creation (PADRCE). This was announced on March 22, 2016, during ministerial council led by Prime Minister, Habib Essid. Tunisia, which had an unemployment rate of 15% of in 2015, intends, through this program, to achieve development, both at the national and regional levels, by 2020.

PADRCE, in which African Devlopment Bank (AfDB) injected €183 million, is a program that promotes improved equal access to economic opportunities and social services to reduce social and regional inequalities. Through 14 reforms such as increase of tax on regional earnings, implementation of gender focal points in ministries, restructuring microfinance industry, private sector’s participation in training mechanisms, an developing entrepreneurship culture in universities, PADRCE aims to, in the long-run, establish an inclusive professional environment for the Tunisian youth.

The program which will be implemented by various ministries, targets 235,000 families which are to potentially benefit from social assistance, 33,000 women which are also potential beneficiaries of micro-credits and 58,000 annual university graduates of which 66% girls, with professional degrees.

Muriel Edjo