What Tunisia Export (CEPEX) does

Tunisia Export (CEPEX), formally the Centre de Promotion des Exportations, is a Tunisian public establishment created in April 1973 and operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce and Export Development. Its mandate is to promote Tunisian exports by supporting exporting companies across the full export journey — from readiness assessment and training through to international partner matching, trade fair participation, and access to competitiveness financing. The organization is headquartered in Tunis (Centre Urbain Nord) and operates two domestic regional offices in Sousse and Sfax alongside 15 commercial representation offices abroad covering Europe (Milan, Rotterdam, Warsaw, Moscow), the Maghreb (Casablanca, Algiers, Tripoli), the Middle East (Amman, Dubai), and Africa (Abidjan, Nairobi, Douala, Abuja, Kinshasa, Dakar).

CEPEX delivers its services through an integrated ecosystem of programs rather than a single unified software product. Core offerings include the Marketplace B2B digital platform for connecting exporters with international buyers; the Simulateur de Diagnostic Export, a structured readiness assessment covering management, HR, finance, production, sales, marketing, innovation, and information systems; and the Guichet Unique Commercial single-window advisory service for export procedures. Supporting services comprise Intelligence Marchés (country and product profiles, customized market studies), Formations & Séminaires training programs, the Bibliothèque de l'Exportateur resource library, assistance with forming Sociétés de Commerce International, and financial support via the FOPRODEX competitiveness fund. CEPEX is also the Tunisian node of the Enterprise Europe Network, providing Tunisian SMEs access to over 600 partner organizations across 60 countries.

The business model is non-commercial: CEPEX is funded through the Tunisian state budget and bilateral donor programs (notably GIZ, ITC, SIPPO, and AFD), and provides its services free of charge to Tunisian businesses. There is no pricing model, no disclosed revenue, and no headcount figure. Strategic direction is set by the Ministry of Commerce and Export Development, and CEPEX coordinates with a broad coalition of Tunisian public agencies (API, APII, FIPA, TIA, PACKTEC, CCIs, ONA, UTAP, CONECT, UTICA) and international partners (EEN, GIZ, ITC, SIPPO, AFD, PAMPAT). Recent operational metrics cited on its public website include a 3.3% export growth rate excluding energy and phosphates, 10.4% share of high-technology manufactures in exports, 21.4% share of transformation in food exports, and 25.9% share of biodiversity-based exports.

Name

Tunisia Export (CEPEX)

Legal name

Centre de Promotion des Exportations

Website

https://tunisiaexport.tn

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CEPEX is Tunisia's state export promotion agency, founded in 1973 under the Ministry of Commerce, providing free market intelligence, training, diagnostic tools, B2B matchmaking, and FOPRODEX financial support to Tunisian exporting SMEs, startups, and large firms through a network of 17 domestic and international offices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tunis

HQ country

Tunisia

HQ region

Africa

Offices18 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CEPEX is Tunisia's state-backed export promotion agency providing free services to Tunisian businesses seeking to enter or expand in international markets. Its core offerings include market intelligence research, export training and seminars, customized prospecting missions, the CEPEX B2B Marketplace digital platform, the Export Diagnostic Simulator readiness tool, financial support through the FOPRODEX fund, and access to a global network of 15 commercial representation offices and 2 regional offices. CEPEX is the official Tunisian institution under the Ministry of Commerce and Export Development responsible for promoting Tunisian exports internationally.

Product overview

Tunisia Export (CEPEX) is a public export promotion agency established in 1973, operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Export Development. It offers a comprehensive ecosystem of export support services rather than a single unified software product. The core offerings include the Marketplace B2B digital platform for connecting exporters with international buyers, the Export Diagnostic Simulator for assessing export readiness, and the Tunisia Export Network comprising 15 international commercial representations plus 2 regional offices. Supporting services include Market Intelligence (country/product profiles), Training & Seminars, the Single Window for Commerce (Guichet Unique Commercial), International Trading Company formation assistance, and Financial Support programs (FOPRODEX). The Enterprise Europe Network membership provides access to European business partnerships. Together, these services form an integrated export promotion infrastructure rather than a modular software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 3.3% export growth rate achieved (excluding energy and phosphates)
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• API - Agence de Promotion de l'Industrie et de l'InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPI is a public institution under the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mines, established in 1972. It promotes the Tunisian industrial sector through support and assistance to businesses, promoters, and SMEs. API offers information, support, studies, and partnership facilitation through 5 centers and 24 regional offices.
• CCI Tunis - Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de TuniscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCI of Tunis is an autonomous public institution under the Ministry of Commerce, working to promote the Tunisian economy in commerce, industry, and craft sectors. It assists SMEs in international trade, develops entrepreneurship, and organizes events such as trade shows and business missions.
• CONECT - Confédération des Entreprises Citoyennes de TunisiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCONECT is an employers' union representing private and public companies of various sizes. It offers support to entrepreneurs and startups, providing economic information, access to financing, training, and B2B meeting opportunities.
• Smart Tunisian TechnoparkscoreTechnology or IntegrationAn ecosystem dedicated to SMEs, multinationals, and large companies in the ICT sector. It integrates training and research institutions to support the development of high-tech activities, promoting innovation through cross-fertilization.
• GIZ - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale ZusammenarbeitmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 1975, GIZ has been operating in Tunisia on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), supporting Tunisian partners in sustainable development promotion.
• ITC - International Trade Centre (CCI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe International Trade Centre was created in 1964 by GATT member countries. As a technical cooperation organization, it is responsible for operational aspects of business-oriented trade development.
• SIPPO - Swiss Import Promotion ProgrammemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIPPO is a long-standing mandate established by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). It aims at better integration of emerging and developing countries into global trade.
• UTICA - Union Tunisienne de l'Industrie, du Commerce et de l'ArtisanatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTunisian employers' organization representing private sector interests in industry, commerce, and crafts.
• Ministry of Commerce and Export DevelopmentcoreOthersCEPEX operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce and Export Development, which sets national export promotion objectives.
• Packtec - Centre Technique du Conditionnement et de l'EmballagesupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnical center for packaging and conditioning, supporting export quality standards.
• APIA - Agence de Promotion des Investissements AgricolessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgency for the promotion of agricultural investments, supporting agri-food exporters.
• APII - Agence de Promotion de l'IndustriesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial promotion agency providing support to manufacturing exporters.
• FIPA - Foreign Investment Promotion AgencysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPromotes investment in Tunisia, supporting economic development and export growth.
• TIA - Tunisia Investment AuthoritysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvestment promotion authority supporting economic growth and export development.
• CCIs - Chambres de Commerce et d'IndustriesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Tunis, Cap Bon, Bizerte, Nabeul, Sousse, Sfax, etc.) providing local export support services.
• COTUNACE - Compagnie Tunisienne de Négoce ExtérieursupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTunisian foreign trade company participating in export promotion activities.
• INSADDERsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting sustainable development and agricultural exports.
• QawafelsupportingTechnology or IntegrationBusiness network supporting SME development and export capabilities.
• PAMPATsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarket access and export promotion program for agricultural products.
• TunisairsupportingOthersNational airline supporting export logistics and trade connectivity.
• CTN - Carthage NavlsupportingOthersNational shipping company supporting maritime export logistics.
• Tunisie TelecomsupportingOthersNational telecommunications operator providing digital infrastructure support.
• PCE - Parole et Communication d'EntreprisesupportingOthersCommunication services supporting CEPEX's marketing and promotion activities.
• Zarzis InvestsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvestment promotion agency for Zarzis region, supporting regional export development.
• ONA - Office National de l'ArtisanatsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational crafts office promoting Tunisian artisanal products for export.
• UTAP - Union Tunisienne de l'Agriculture et de la PêchesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTunisian union for agriculture and fisheries, supporting agribusiness exporters.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ProChile: Chile's export promotion bureau under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, supporting Chilean exporters with market intelligence, international promotion, and a global office network. Functionally analogous to CEPEX as a long-standing national export promotion body with government backing.
• Business France: France's national agency supporting international development of French companies through export consulting, market intelligence, and a global office network. Directly comparable as a state-backed trade promotion agency operating a similar service portfolio and foreign office network across the same regions CEPEX serves.
• ProColombia: Colombia's export promotion agency supporting non-traditional exports through market intelligence, business matchmaking, and trade fair organization. Comparable in mandate to diversify the export base away from commodities, mirroring CEPEX's effort to grow high-tech and value-added Tunisian exports.
• KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency): South Korea's national trade promotion agency supporting Korean SMEs in international markets through consulting, market research, and a global network of offices. Functionally analogous to CEPEX in mandate, structure, and service portfolio.
• Italian Trade Agency (ICE): Italy's government agency for promoting Italian trade and investment abroad, with offices worldwide including Milan. Operates an analogous trade promotion mandate with B2B matchmaking, market intelligence, and trade fair organization—overlapping directly with CEPEX's service offering and Mediterranean focus.
• ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency): Brazil's national trade promotion agency supporting Brazilian exporters through market intelligence, trade fair participation, and international business matching. Directly comparable as a state-backed agency with similar services to CEPEX, including support for SMEs in diversified export markets.
• JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization): Japan's government-affiliated trade promotion body providing market intelligence, business matchmaking, and investment promotion globally. Comparable as a long-established, government-backed national trade promotion agency with a comprehensive service ecosystem similar to CEPEX.
• UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT): UK government department supporting UK exporters through market intelligence, trade missions, and overseas networks. Comparable as a state-backed export promotion body with global office presence and a broad service ecosystem, though operating at a much larger scale than CEPEX.

Direct peers

• Enterprise Greece: Greece's official investment and trade promotion agency, a public entity under government supervision providing export support, FDI promotion, and a global office network. Closely comparable in institutional structure, mandate, and Mediterranean/EU-focused trade promotion services to CEPEX.

Others

• ITC (International Trade Centre): UN/WTO joint agency providing trade-related technical assistance to developing countries, including market intelligence, export strategy, and SME support. Listed as a strategic partner of CEPEX and offers comparable trade development services to CEPEX's target segment—Tunisian SMEs seeking to export.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tunisia_export
• Facebookfacebook.com/CEPEX.TUNISIE

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tunisia Export (CEPEX)