Summary:

On 22 April 2026, Tunisia and Algeria signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen coordination and information exchange in combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and arms proliferation. The agreement involves financial regulatory authorities from both countries, reflecting a shared effort to align with international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

The deal was signed during Tunisia’s hosting of the 20th meeting of the Union of Arab Financial Markets Authorities, where Tunisia also assumed the Union’s presidency. It includes the establishment of an annual cooperation program aimed at deepening bilateral regulatory collaboration and improving supervisory coordination.

The meeting also brought together 16 Arab financial market regulators and focused on preparing a 2026–2030 strategic plan to enhance capital market integration, financing capacity, and attractiveness across Arab markets.

Outlook: 

While the meeting reflects growing regional financial cooperation, it also highlights the steady expansion of Tunisia–Algeria coordination across multiple sectors under President Kais Saied’s administration.

This trend also points to a broader consolidation of bilateral engagement, where regulatory, economic, and security-related frameworks between Tunis and Algiers have become increasingly institutionalized since the post-25 July political shift.

However, this deepening alignment may prompt domestic scrutiny over the pace and scope of external cooperation, particularly regarding its implications for Tunisia’s policy autonomy and regulatory decision-making space.

Explore our services or speak with our team of North Africa-based risk experts.