Being one of the smallest countries in North Africa, with limited economic and natural resources, Tunisia’s economy mostly relies on agricultural, mining, energy, tourism and manufacturing sectors. The Government of Tunisia has adopted policies designed to promote foreign investment and to attract foreign investors, while at the same time continuing to enact legislation and implement measures to protect local industry. Corruption is perceived as significant, despite being considered less pervasive when compared to neighbouring countries. Currently, Tunisia is experiencing a transition of power following the ousting of former President Ben Ali in January 2011, as the culmination of weeks of protests. The new interim government has promised political and economic reforms. There are, without a doubt, many challenges lying ahead for Tunisia, and it now remains to be seen how successfully the new government will be able to address these challenges.

Positive developments in relation to corruption and investment:

• Tunisia has a comprehensive anti-corruption law to combat corruption, and Global Integrity 2008 evaluates it as ‘very strong’. 
• The recent anti-government protests, driven by factors such as high unemployment rates and corruption, led to the end of former President Ben Ali’s 23-year in power.
• The National Fact-Finding Committee on Corruption and Embezzlement was established in 2011 to look into corruption committed by the old government, and to advise on concrete measures to combat corruption. 

• It is reported that to date, the Tunisian government had not tried very hard to implement rules for public officials regarding the declaration of assets, conflicts of interest and codes of conduct.
• There is no legal provision to protect whistleblowers in the public sector but such legislation does exist for the private sector. Nevertheless, the enforcement remains weak. As a result, many whistleblowers, anti-corruption activists, and investigators do not feel safe to report cases of corruption and bribery.
• Despite the existence of transparent rules for tender procedures, they have so far failed to provide sufficient barriers against corruption in relation to public procurement.