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.
Agenda
Opening Remarks
Date
08/11/2024
Location
Hybrid event
Time
From 10:00 am To 10:10 am
Speakers
Research Fellows
Ibrahim Elbadawi
Managing Director, Economic Research Forum
Speakers
Khalid Ghozlani
Senior Program Officer, International Development Research Center...
Videos
Tunisia Pathway to a Sustainable Energy Future: Policies, Vision, and Strategic Insights
Date
08/11/2024
Location
Hybrid event
Time
From 10:10 am To 10:30 am
Speakers
Speakers
Fethi Hanchi
General Manager, National Agency for Energy Conservation...
Enablers for Tunisian MSMEs to Achieve a Successful Energy Transition
Date
08/11/2024
Location
Hybrid event
Time
From 10:30 am To 11:30 am
Speakers
Research Fellows
Adel Ben Youssef
Professor of Economics, University Côte d'Azur
Authors
Mounir Dahmani
Associate Professor of Economics, University of Gafsa,...
Authors
Walid Hadhri
Associate Professor (HDR), University of Tunis
Panel on Leveraging Policy Implications for Tunisia's Green Energy Transition
Date
08/11/2024
Location
Hybrid event
Time
From 11:45 am To 1:00 pm
Speakers
Research Fellows
Adel Ben Youssef
Professor of Economics, University Côte d'Azur
Speakers
Sonia Mhamdi
UNIDO
Speakers
Seifeddine Radhouani
Financial Analyst, Amen Bank
Speakers
Abdelmalek Ghannem
Green Building Council
Speakers
Mouez Soussi
Professor of Economics, Institute of Higher Commercial...
Speakers
Essia Guezzi
Country Engagement Manager, Voices for Just Climate...
Closing Remarks
Date
08/11/2024
Location
Hybrid event
Time
From 1:00 pm To 1:15 pm
Speakers
Research Fellows
Adel Ben Youssef
Professor of Economics, University Côte d'Azur
Speakers
Yasmine Fahim
Director of Research and Programs, Economic Research...
Speakers
Khalid Ghozlani
Senior Program Officer, International Development Research Center...