- A strengthened economic cooperation between Nice Côte d’Azur and Tunisia, with a focus on innovation and artificial intelligence.
- The blue economy is at the center of discussions, in preparation for the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3) to be held in Nice in June 2025.
A strategic meeting between Nice Côte d’Azur and Tunisia
On March 14, 2025, the Nice Innovation Hub hosted an economic meeting organized by Team Nice Côte d’Azur and Business France. Coordinated by Jean-François Chapperon, Senior Manager Foreign Direct Investments, this event brought together decision-makers and experts to explore investment opportunities and collaboration between Nice Côte d’Azur and North Africa, particularly Tunisia.
This meeting was especially relevant, as Tunisia is a target country for the agency, with strong prospects for reinforced cooperation.
Speakers included:
- Anne Guéguen, Ambassador of France to Tunisia, who emphasized the importance of economic exchanges between France and Tunisia.
- Michel Bauza, North Africa Director at Business France, who presented the economic dynamics of markets in the region (Tunisia, Libya, Morocco, Algeria).
The goal was to identify synergies and growth drivers in strategic sectors such as digital innovation and ecological transition.
Innovation and artificial intelligence as a driver of collaboration
The meeting deepened cooperation between the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis and the Tunisian ecosystem in the field of innovation. NOVATION CITY in Sousse, a leading hub for digital transformation, was highlighted for its initiatives in artificial intelligence and digitalization.
Team Nice Côte d’Azur and Novation City had already strengthened their partnership with the signing of a strategic agreement during Viva Technology 2024, marking a new stage in economic and technological exchanges between Nice and Sousse.
In Nice, Terra Numerica, in collaboration with Inria and 3IA Côte d’Azur at Université Côte d’Azur, plays a central role in the development of new AI technologies. These shared expertise areas open the door to collaborative projects between researchers, startups, and industries on both sides of the Mediterranean.
Blue economy: towards stronger cooperation ahead of UNOC 2025
The event also highlighted that Nice will host the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference from June 9 to 13, 2025.
With the support of AVITEM (Agency for Sustainable Mediterranean Cities and Territories), discussions focused on coastal preservation and maritime innovation. The challenge is to involve Mediterranean coastal territories in a joint approach to protect biodiversity and develop sustainable economic solutions.
France reaffirmed its commitment to the international treaty on the protection of the high seas and marine biodiversity (BBNJ) while encouraging coastal cities to build a coalition for the preservation of shorelines.
The Africa-France Forum on Ecological and Energy Transition: a lever for businesses
Beyond bilateral exchanges between Nice Côte d’Azur and Tunisia, the March 14 meeting also shed light on a key event: the Africa-France Forum on Ecological and Energy Transition (FTEE), to be held in Tunis on April 23–24, 2025, in partnership with Business France, risingSUD, and the Sud Region – Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.
This forum represents an opportunity for companies to:
- Participate in B2B meetings and networking sessions with African economic actors.
- Promote innovative solutions in ecological and digital transition.
- Position themselves within a regional dynamic of sustainable economic development.
Outlook
The March 14, 2025 meeting in Nice marked a new stage in the economic cooperation between the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis and Tunisia.
With synergies identified in innovation, artificial intelligence, and the blue economy, these exchanges are part of a broader dynamic of Mediterranean economic development.
The next milestones include the United Nations Ocean Conference in June in Nice and the Africa-France Forum on Ecological and Energy Transition (FTEE) in April in Tunis, which will further strengthen these strategic collaborations.
