The Role of MSMEs in Fostering Inclusive and Equitable Economic Growth in the Context of the Clean Energy Transition in Tunisia

FromNov 08, 2024 To Nov 08, 2024

Hybrid Event

Context

Access to energy is becoming increasingly challenging, especially for energy-importing countries in the MENA region. This makes the transition to clean energy not just crucial, but urgent. Fortunately, the region holds significant comparative advantages, thanks to its natural endowments: abundant solar radiation throughout much of the year and powerful wind nodes. Additionally, renewable energy has emerged as the most cost-effective power option today, particularly in MENA. With the rapid decline in renewable energy technology prices—highlighted by an 85 percent drop in the cost of electricity from solar power between 2010 and 2020—the region is uniquely positioned to lead in clean energy adoption. Furthermore, affordable electricity from renewable sources could decarbonize up to 90 percent of the power sector by 2050, dramatically reducing carbon emissions and playing a pivotal role in climate change mitigation.

The significance of this energy transition in MENA lies in its potential to meet the region’s growing energy demands at affordable prices, drive inclusive and sustainable development, create new job opportunities, and support climate change resilience—all while adhering to crucial climate change mitigation and adaptation policies. In this regional context, where medium, small, and micro enterprises (MSMEs) are economic cornerstones, understanding their potential, challenges, and opportunities in the clean energy transition—as well as their capacity for job creation, climate resilience, and the empowerment of women and youth—is essential.

Recognizing this, the Economic Research Forum (ERF) has launched an IDRC-funded project titled “The Role of MSMEs in Fostering Inclusive and Equitable Sustainable Economic Growth in the Context of the Clean Energy Transition in MENA.” This project, in collaboration with The Middle East Institute and the Lebanese Centre for Policy Studies, aims to enhance understanding of MSMEs’ role in the energy transition across six MENA countries: Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, and Sudan. Through this research, new microdata, insights on cross-cutting issues, and an assessment of renewable energy adoption by MSMEs will be generated, alongside analysis of the institutional, financial, technical, and regulatory barriers they face. The project also explores the demand for skills and the potential impact of the energy transition on sustainable employment opportunities for youth, women, and marginalized groups.

Conference Objective & Format

The local dissemination conference is a pivotal opportunity to present the findings of the Tunisia case study and to discuss key policy recommendations. By fostering dialogue and exchanging ideas, this conference will explore how these policy recommendations can be effectively implemented to maximize the role of MSMEs in driving the country’s green energy agenda, with particular emphasis on youth employment and gender inclusion. Translation in both English and French will be available.

The hybrid conference offers the flexibility of both online and in-person participation. 

Register here to attend!

Agenda

Opening Remarks

Date

08/11/2024

Location

Hybrid event

Time

From 10:00 am To 10:10 am

Speakers

Ibrahim Elbadawi

Research Fellows

Ibrahim Elbadawi

Managing Director, Economic Research Forum

Khalid Ghozlani

Speakers

Khalid Ghozlani

Senior Program Officer, International Development Research Center...

Date

08/11/2024

Location

Hybrid event

Time

From 10:10 am To 10:30 am

Speakers

Fethi Hanchi

Speakers

Fethi Hanchi

General Manager, National Agency for Energy Conservation...

Date

08/11/2024

Location

Hybrid event

Time

From 10:30 am To 11:30 am

Speakers

Adel Ben Youssef

Research Fellows

Adel Ben Youssef

Professor of Economics, University Côte d'Azur

Mounir Dahmani

Authors

Mounir Dahmani

Associate Professor of Economics, University of Gafsa,...

Walid Hadhri

Authors

Walid Hadhri

Associate Professor (HDR), University of Tunis

Date

08/11/2024

Location

Hybrid event

Time

From 11:45 am To 1:00 pm

Speakers

Adel Ben Youssef

Research Fellows

Adel Ben Youssef

Professor of Economics, University Côte d'Azur

Seifeddine Radhouani

Speakers

Seifeddine Radhouani

Financial Analyst, Amen Bank

Abdelmalek Ghannem

Speakers

Abdelmalek Ghannem

Green Building Council

Mouez Soussi

Speakers

Mouez Soussi

Professor of Economics, Institute of Higher Commercial...

Essia Guezzi

Speakers

Essia Guezzi

Country Engagement Manager, Voices for Just Climate...

Date

08/11/2024

Location

Hybrid event

Time

From 1:00 pm To 1:15 pm

Speakers

Adel Ben Youssef

Research Fellows

Adel Ben Youssef

Professor of Economics, University Côte d'Azur

Yasmine Fahim

Speakers

Yasmine Fahim

Director of Research and Programs, Economic Research...

Khalid Ghozlani

Speakers

Khalid Ghozlani

Senior Program Officer, International Development Research Center...