Tunisia Takes London: Inside the Tunisian Delegation’s Mission at London Tech Week 2026
London, United Kingdom – 07 to 11 June 2026. For the second consecutive year, Tunisia planted its flag at one of the world’s largest technology gatherings. Under the banner of the “Tunisian Tech Ecosystem” National Pavilion, a delegation of more than 30 Tunisian entrepreneurs, investors, institutional leaders and diaspora representatives descended on London Tech Week – and left with a case full of contacts, credibility, and a clear sense that Tunisia’s tech scene has a seat at the table.
A Pavilion Built on Partnership
The mission was jointly organised by CONECT (Confédération des Entreprises Citoyennes de Tunisie) and the Tunisian British Chamber of Commerce (TBCC), working hand in hand with the Embassy of Tunisia in London and the British Embassy in Tunis. Behind the scenes, the initiative was backed by the World Bank-financed “Startups and Innovative SMEs” project, implemented by the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) in partnership with Smart Capital, alongside FIPA Tunisia and ATUGE UK.
That coalition translated into a physical presence that was hard to miss: Pavilion #121, hosting eight stands split between Tunisia’s key institutional players – CDC, TBCC, CONECT and FIPA London – and homegrown startups carrying the flag for Tunisian innovation: Addvocate AI, Numeryx, Smart Farm Pro, Proxym Group and Meliorar (MEG) hree of them earned a coveted slot on the Ignition Stage, pitching directly to a room of international investors, accelerators and industry leaders.
Day One: Diplomacy Opens the Doors
The mission opened on a high note. On the first day of the Pavilion’s activity, Tunisia’s delegation welcomed Hattab Haddaoui, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Tunisia in the United Kingdom, and Imen Zaouali, the Embassy’s economic attaché – a diplomatic presence that lent immediate weight to the Pavilion in the eyes of British partners.
The stand also drew Anthony Catt, Founder and Director of Venture 54, and Hannah Williams, Director of Trade and Investment for Africa, for discussions centred on financing, mentorship and pathways for Tunisian startups into international markets. Tunisian cybersecurity startup Pwn & Patch took the floor at the UK-Africa Sandbox, sharing its own experience of breaking into the UK market – a live case study in what Tunisian tech can do abroad.
Evenings were no less busy, with the delegation moving through the LTW Welcome Drinks Reception, the Africa Delegations Welcome Reception hosted by Venture 54, the London & Partners International Reception at the Guildhall, and the Official London Tech Week Party on the Southbank – a marathon of networking that set the tone for the week.
Day Two: Africa, the UK, and the Diaspora Converge
The second day belonged to connection-building. Pavilion #121 saw a steady stream of visitors curious about Tunisian solutions in fintech, AgriTech, AI and IT – conversations that ranged from investment opportunities to technology partnerships and international expansion plans.
At the Africa Lounge, Tunisian startups joined the UK-Africa Sandbox programme run by Venture 54, opening doors to collaboration across the African innovation landscape. Later, the spotlight turned to Tunisia’s diaspora: an event organised with ATUGE UK brought together Tunisian entrepreneurs, experts and professionals based in Britain to explore mentorship, partnerships and routes into the UK market – a reminder that the diaspora remains one of Tunisia’s most under-leveraged strategic assets.
Day Three: Recognition on the World Stage
The mission’s final full day delivered its most symbolic moment: a visit from Ben Ainslie, His Majesty’s Acting Trade Commissioner for Africa, to the Tunisian Pavilion – a clear signal of recognition from British trade authorities for the momentum Tunisia’s ecosystem has built.
The delegation also hosted a session with the International Council of Women Entrepreneurs (CIFE) on leadership and emerging technologies, and – in the week’s marquee moment for Tunisian founders – three Tunisian startups pitched live on the Ignition Stage in front of investors, accelerators and corporate leaders. The day closed with participation in the UK-Africa Ecosystem Day at 40 Leadenhall Street and an official reception hosted by the Embassy of Tunisia in London, bringing together startups, institutional partners, investors and members of the Tunisian community in the UK.
The Results: More Than a Photo Op
By the numbers and by feel, the mission delivered. Organisers report between 15 and 20 qualified B2B contacts per participant, alongside tangible gains in visibility, credibility and relationship-building:
- Stronger international visibility for Tunisia’s tech ecosystem
- A multiplication of B2B meetings with investors, funds, accelerators and technology partners
- Tunisian success stories showcased to an international audience
- Deeper ties with the Tunisian diaspora in the UK
- Reinforced relationships with British trade, investment and innovation actors
- New avenues for collaboration in financing, soft-landing support and internationalisation
- A confirmed positioning for Tunisia as an emerging tech hub bridging Europe, Africa and the Arab world
What is Next
The delegation’s own after-action review reads less like a wish list than a strategic memo: presence without follow-through is a wasted opportunity. The first priority is continuity; returning to London Tech Week better organised, not treating each mission as a one-off, which means preparing start-ups earlier so their pitches land sharper on day one. It also means building what most delegations neglect: a disciplined follow-up process to turn a week of handshakes into signed partnerships, since qualified contacts have a short shelf life once nobody owns the next step. There is a narrative to keep pushing too; Tunisian success stories need louder, year-round amplification, not one week of visibility every June; alongside deeper ties with the UK diaspora, still an underused bridge into British markets. Most ambitiously, the review calls for a dedicated soft-landing programme, moving Tunisian start-ups from exhibition-hall enthusiasm to real market entry.
Two editions in, Tunisia’s presence at London Tech Week has moved from a first appearance to a returning fixture – one with a growing pavilion, a widening network, and, increasingly, a name that decision-makers in London recognise on sight.
For more updates and photos from the mission, follow the Tunisian British Chamber of Commerce on LinkedIn.
