On Wednesday, 23 October 2025, Mr Samir Abid, Tunisia’s Minister of Trade and Export Development, received Ambassador Dr Youssef ElKordofani, Executive Director of the African Inclusive Markets Excellence Center (AIMEC), alongside senior ministry officials to advance preparations for the Centre’s operational launch in Tunisia.
Minister Abid underlined AIMEC’s role as a newly established continental platform designed to accelerate African economic integration. He stressed the need for a shared strategic vision to tackle the structural challenges facing African economies and pledged the Ministry’s support for AIMEC’s activities, including collaboration to leverage Tunisian expertise and ensure an effective operational start-up.
Ambassador Dr ElKordofani praised Tunisia’s technical capacities and announced that AIMEC has already begun building networks with partners to roll out economic projects in the host country. He outlined the Centre’s principal objectives: strengthening intra‑African trade, promoting regional integration and sustainable development initiatives, and enhancing the participation and productivity of African youth and women.
The meeting also reviewed AIMEC’s forthcoming work programme and the Centre’s plan to host major economic events, conferences and stakeholder meetings in Tunisia. The Agreement designating Tunisia as the seat of AIMEC’s headquarters was signed during the 41st Ordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council in Lusaka in July 2022.
AIMEC’s official inauguration is scheduled for December 2025, with programme implementation set to begin in early 2026. The Ministry of Trade and Export Development reaffirmed its commitment to supporting AIMEC’s mission and fostering strategic cooperation with national institutions to advance research, innovation and inclusive market development across the continent.
