- A strengthened economic cooperation between Nice Côte d’Azur and Tunisia, with a focus on innovation and artificial intelligence.
- The blue economy at the heart of exchanges, in preparation for the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC-3) to be held in Nice in June 2025.
- The Africa-France Forum on Ecological and Energy Transition (FTEE) as a platform for developing strategic cooperation in North Africa.
A strategic meeting between Nice Côte d’Azur and Tunisia
On March 14, 2025, the Innovation Hub of Nice hosted an economic meeting organized by Team Nice Côte d’Azur and Business France. This event, coordinated by Jean-François Chapperon, Senior Manager for Foreign Direct Investments, brought together decision-makers and experts to explore investment and collaboration opportunities between Nice Côte d’Azur and North Africa, particularly Tunisia.
This meeting was particularly relevant, as Tunisia is a target area for the agency, with prospects for enhanced cooperation. Among the speakers at this session:
- Anne Guéguen, Ambassador of France to Tunisia, who emphasized the importance of economic exchanges between France and Tunisia.
- Michel Bauza, Director of Business France for North Africa, who presented the economic dynamics of the region’s markets (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 provided an opportunity to deepen the cooperation between the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis and the Tunisian ecosystem in the field of innovation. NOVATION CITY in Sousse, a reference hub for digital transformation, was highlighted for its initiatives in artificial intelligence and digitization.
Team Nice Côte d’Azur and Novation City had already strengthened their collaboration with the signing of a strategic agreement at Viva Technology 2024, marking a new step in economic and technological exchanges between Nice and Sousse.
In Nice, Terra Numerica, in partnership with Inria and 3IA Côte d’Azur at the University of Côte d’Azur, plays a central role in the development of new AI technologies. These shared areas of expertise pave the way for collaborative projects between researchers, startups, and industrial players on both sides of the Mediterranean.
Blue Economy: Towards Enhanced Cooperation in Preparation for UNOC 2025
The event also served to remind participants that Nice will host the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) from June 9 to 13, 2025.
With the support of AVITEM (Association of Mediterranean Sustainable Cities and Territories), discussions focused on coastal preservation and maritime innovation. The goal is to unite Mediterranean coastal regions in a joint effort to protect biodiversity and develop sustainable economic solutions.
France reaffirmed its commitment to the international treaty for the protection of the high seas and marine biodiversity (BBNJ), while encouraging coastal cities to form a coalition to safeguard their shorelines.
The Africa-France Forum on Ecological and Energy Transition: A Leverage for Businesses
Beyond the bilateral exchanges between Nice Côte d’Azur and Tunisia, the March 14 meeting also highlighted a key event: The Africa-France Forum on Ecological and Energy Transition (FTEE), which will take place in Tunis on April 23 and 24, 2025, in partnership with Business France, risingSUD, and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region.
This forum provides an opportunity for businesses wishing to:
- Participate in B2B meetings and networking sessions with African economic players.
- Promote innovative solutions in ecological and digital transition.
- Join a regional dynamic for sustainable economic development.
Review and Perspectives
The meeting on March 14, 2025, in Nice marked a new step in 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 for Mediterranean economic development.
The next steps 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, both of which will strengthen these strategic collaborations.
Source: investincotedazur
