On 30 June 2025 in Abidjan, the Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group approved a $50 million trade finance guarantee facility for the Arab International Bank of Tunisia (BIAT) to support trade promotion.
The transaction guarantee will specifically support the import of inputs, production machinery, and telecommunications and renewable energy equipment needed to drive Tunisia’s industrialization process. While the main sectors targeted by this initiative are agro-industry and light manufacturing, the guarantee will also facilitate the import of essential goods to meet short-term domestic demand.
According to Ahmed Attout, Director of the Financial Sector Development Department at the African Development Bank Group, “This facility will enable the African Development Bank to provide up to 100% guarantees to confirming banks to facilitate the confirmation of letters of credit and other similar trade finance instruments issued by BIAT for the benefit of large local companies and small and medium-sized enterprises, including women-led businesses.”
“By supporting the import of inputs, equipment, and production machinery needed to promote the manufacturing sector, this facility contributes to job creation and economic diversification through private sector development,” said Malinne Blomberg, Deputy Director General of the Bank Group for North Africa and Country Manager for Tunisia.
Elyes Jebir, CEO of BIAT, welcomed this first direct partnership with the African Development Bank. “This partnership is fully in line with BIAT’s strategy, which places international trade finance at the heart of its mission in Tunisia. This facility will help better support many Tunisian companies and strengthen their integration into international trade,” he emphasized.
Through this facility, BIAT further consolidates its positioning, building on strong performance that has allowed it to support the Tunisian economy, thanks to sound governance, proven local expertise, and a broad network of strategic partners.
The three-year facility will benefit large local companies and SMEs, including those led by women.
About the African Development Bank Group’s Transaction Guarantee
The transaction guarantee is one of the trade finance instruments set up by the African Development Bank to support commercial banks across Africa. Launched in 2021, it covers a variety of trade finance instruments including confirmed letters of credit, commercial loans, irrevocable reimbursement undertakings, avalized drafts, and promissory notes. The facility is available to all banks registered and operating in Africa that have completed the Bank’s due diligence process.
About the Arab International Bank of Tunisia (BIAT)
A universal bank and a key financial player in Tunisia, BIAT today represents a strong banking group with subsidiaries in insurance, asset management, private equity, brokerage, and advisory services. With 206 branches across the country, BIAT employs over 2,400 staff serving a broad clientele of individuals, professionals, SMEs, large corporations, and institutional clients.
BIAT is particularly active in trade finance and benefits from a wide network of correspondent banks, allowing it to actively contribute to the development of a dynamic, resilient, and inclusive Tunisian economy.
Committed to social responsibility, BIAT has demonstrated its civic engagement through numerous initiatives. The creation of the BIAT Foundation for Tunisian Youth in spring 2014 is a lasting testament to this commitment.
