Though modest in scale compared to mega energy projects in other parts of the world, the impact in Tunisia has been profound. The project is replacing carbon-intensive heavy fuel oil with a cleaner-burning alternative\u2014natural gas\u2014reducing air pollution, improving industrial efficiency, and lowering energy costs for businesses and consumers.<\/p>\n
Read also:\u00a0Burkina Faso secures \u20ac6 million boost for D\u00e9dougou Solar Plant in push for energy independence<\/a><\/p>\n At the SICAM agri-food processing facility in B\u00e9ja, which specializes in canned tomatoes, the transition has already brought measurable benefits. “With gas, we\u2019ve eliminated visible pollution, cut down our energy bills by hundreds of thousands of dinars, and improved our production efficiency,” says Kamel Trabelsi, the company\u2019s Deputy Director General. Their boilers, once laborious and pollutive to start, now reach 95% capacity almost instantly using piped natural gas.<\/p>\n The shift has not only improved working conditions and reduced operational downtime, but also significantly lowered the company\u2019s environmental footprint. Prior to the change, the use of heavy fuel oil emitted thick black smoke into nearby neighborhoods and contributed to Tunisia\u2019s greenhouse gas load.<\/p>\n Tunisia\u2019s move is particularly relevant for other African nations grappling with energy insecurity, industrial underdevelopment, and high pollution levels. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), over 600 million people in Africa still lack access to electricity. At the same time, industries often rely on costly and dirty diesel generators, contributing to both economic inefficiency and environmental degradation.<\/p>\n The STEG project, financed with \u20ac49.39 million from the AfDB, showcases how strategic investments in mid-scale infrastructure can unlock green growth and industrial competitiveness\u2014without resorting to expensive, fossil-heavy mega solutions.<\/p>\n Mehdi Khoali, Chief Operations Officer at the African Development Bank, explains that the project has already catalyzed local industrialization. “Ten new industrial units\u2014like brick kilns and cement plants\u2014have set up shop along the new gas pipeline. Others have expanded. Jobs are being created, and the region is becoming more economically resilient,” he notes.<\/p>\n Read also:\u00a0Ghana cancels $1.2B Bauxite deal with Rocksure International, eyeing global players for strategic mining venture<\/a><\/p>\n The initiative also serves as a case study in development finance efficiency. Unlike many donor-funded infrastructure projects that suffer from long delays, the African Development Bank\u2019s swift disbursement cycle\u2014sometimes within a week\u2014has kept STEG\u2019s timelines on track. Project Coordinator Mohamed Riadh Hellal says this efficiency has been “crucial to delivering the infrastructure when and where it\u2019s needed.”<\/p>\n The project\u2019s design reflects a careful balance of development priorities: connecting underserved households, supporting local enterprises, and reducing emissions\u2014all without triggering spikes in public debt or compromising on technical standards. Moreover, the infrastructure is built with scalability in mind, offering future opportunities for integration with regional gas corridors and even renewable hydrogen initiatives being explored by countries like Morocco and Egypt.<\/p>\n While natural gas is still a fossil fuel, experts argue that it represents a practical bridge in the African energy transition. \u201cIn contexts where renewables cannot yet deliver 24\/7 reliability or industrial-grade power, natural gas provides a cleaner, cost-effective intermediate step,\u201d says energy policy analyst Leila Maalouf, based in Tunis.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rayscohosting.best\/ASM\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Fundraising-for-Non-profit-Banner-1336-x-333-px-Ad.jpg\")
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