Banking since the Arab Spring: Tunisia faces pain before reward

The World Bank reports that banks need profound reform; analysts catalogue a long list of problems; and the country’s new cabinet has been roundly rejected by most political parties. Can the new president juggle competing political factions and unblock the economic pipeline to bring badly needed growth quick enough?

Beji_Caid_Essebsi


Tunisian president Beji Caid Essebsi 

In December 2010, the events we now call the Arab Spring began in the town of Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia. Beginning with the self-immolation of a young street vendor in protest at his treatment by a municipal officer, the subsequent demonstrations and riots would be felt far beyond that town, leading to regime change in some countries, civil war in others. Looking back, the only place that can claim to have had the peaceful transition to democracy that protesters would have hoped for is the place where it all began: Tunisia.

Access intelligence that drives action

To unlock this research, enter your email to log in or enquire about access