Tunisia Country Summary

FATF Status

Tunisia is no longer on the FATF List of Countries that have been identified as having strategic AML deficiencies

Compliance with FATF Recommendations

The latest follow-up to the Mutual Evaluation Report relating to the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards in Tunisia was undertaken in 2019. According to that Evaluation, Tunisia was deemed Compliant for 10 and Largely Compliant for 26 of the FATF 40 Recommendations. It was also deemed Highly Effective for 0 and Substantially Effective for 0 with regard to the 11 areas of Effectiveness of its AML/CFT Regime.

Tunisia is grappling with significant challenges related to crime and corruption, with widespread public perception identifying corruption as a major barrier to effective governance. Despite some government efforts to combat corruption, including the arrest of politicians and the implementation of asset declaration laws, the judicial system remains politicized and lacks independence, while civil society faces increasing pressure and hostility, undermining resilience to crime.

In 2023, Tunisia's economy faced significant challenges, including geopolitical tensions, water supply issues affecting agriculture, and mounting public debt, resulting in a modest GDP growth of only 0.4% following stronger growth in previous years. Despite a recovery in the tourism sector post-COVID-19, the country grapples with high unemployment and inflation, alongside shortages of essential goods, which have been exacerbated by external financing difficulties. While the government has made efforts to improve the investment climate through various reforms and incentives, substantial bureaucratic barriers remain, and the informal sector continues to pose challenges for legitimate businesses, limiting the flow of foreign direct investment.