Tunisian president fires Energy Minister over disputed solar laws
Tunisian President Kais Saied has dismissed Energy and Industry Minister Fatma Thabet Chiboub, just hours before parliament was due to debate a set of controversial draft laws on renewable energy contracts with foreign companies, reports Africa News via AFP on April 28th.
The presidency announced the decision in a brief statement on April 28th, offering no explanation. Housing Minister Salah Eddine Zouari will take over the ministry’s responsibilities on an interim basis.
The move comes amid growing political tension over proposed legislation that would allow foreign firms to develop solar energy projects in Tunisia under long-term concession agreements.
Under the draft laws, international companies would be permitted to exploit energy generated from solar installations for up to 20 years, with the possibility of a 10-year renewal. The agreements also include a five-year tax exemption period. The electricity produced would be sold to Tunisia’s state utility company, STEG.
The government has defended the reforms, arguing that they are essential to improving Tunisia’s energy independence, stabilising supply, and reducing electricity production costs. The country currently relies heavily on imported energy, which has placed pressure on public finances due to subsidies.
Officials say renewable energy accounted for around nine percent of Tunisia’s electricity mix as of April, with ambitions to raise this figure to 35 percent by 2030. Recent investment plans worth nearly $600 million aim to expand solar capacity by 600 megawatts, with projects concentrated in less-developed central and southern regions that benefit from high levels of sunlight.
However, the proposals have faced strong opposition. The influential UGTT trade union has condemned the draft laws, warning that they risk “perpetuating dependence” on foreign companies and weakening national sovereignty. Some lawmakers have gone further, describing the plans as a form of “energy colonisation”.
In recent days, several MPs called for the legislation to be reconsidered and criticised Chiboub’s role in advancing the reforms, with some demanding legal accountability.
The dismissal highlights growing political sensitivity around foreign involvement in Tunisia’s strategic energy sector, as the country attempts to balance economic reform with concerns over sovereignty and control of national resources.
Africa News via AFP, Maghrebi.org
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