Financial education and inclusion for youth: a global challenge, a Tunisian priority

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In Tunisia, the majority of young people aged 15 to 24 do not have access to a formal account (bank or postal), with only 24% of them having an account in 2021. Global Findex (World Bank) This figure is alarming given that these "digital natives" are nonetheless the most connected and receptive to new technologies! How to explain this paradox between their digital ease and their low financial inclusion? And above all, how can Tunisia transform this challenge into an opportunity for economic and social growth for the next decade? Financial inclusion, much more than simple access to banking services, is the key for everyone to effectively use essential tools: bank account, savings, mobile payment, credit, insurance. This article explores the urgency of this mission, especially for our youth, and how innovative solutions, like Flexee Pay, are redefining the country's financial future.

1️⃣ Global and regional context: A gap to fill for youth

    Financial inclusion in figures: A contrasting reality

  • Globally, 76% of adults have a financial account, a figure that adjusts to 71% in developing countries.
  • In the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, this rate is around 48% for adults, contrasting sharply with the nearly 90% observed in Europe and the United States (e.g., 95% in the United States, 99.6% in Canada). Financial Inclusion in MENA (FineDev Gateway)

    Why invest in youth? The driving force of tomorrow and today

  • Youth represent nearly 50% of the active population in the MENA region. Their dynamism, creativity, and potential make them the true driving force of tomorrow.
  • Their financial inclusion is a powerful lever for:
    • Developing the economy (stimulating savings, facilitating credit for entrepreneurship, boosting local consumption).
    • Reducing social and economic inequalities, offering equitable opportunities to all.
    • Promoting autonomy and individual and family stability, essential for societal development.

2️⃣ Tunisia's progress: A path marked by successes and persistent challenges

In Tunisia, financial inclusion is a rapidly evolving field. A comprehensive study on the subject provides valuable insights. Financial Inclusion in Tunisia PDF Report

    Notable digital progression: Digital as a driver of transformation

  • In 2024, digital financial transactions reached an impressive volume of 27.891 billion TND (an increase of +10.6% compared to 2023), spread over 163 million operations (+9.4%). Sources: Central Bank of Tunisia , WeAreTech.Africa
  • Transactions via e-wallets totaled 5.1 million operations, representing 1.394 billion TND (+21.4% compared to 2023). GIZ , WeAreTech.Africa
  • Mobile payments experienced remarkable growth in Q1 2025. The number of mobile wallets reached 371,000, and 16 PSPs (Payment Service Providers) contributed to this dynamic. The total amount of mobile payments reached 600 million Tunisian Dinars (MDT), marking a x14 growth in value. Central Bank of Tunisia ApaNews.net

    A favorable environment, despite persistent obstacles to overcome

  • More than 6.4 million postal accounts opened via Tunisian Post, acting as a vector of trust and essential proximity for the population.
  • An Internet access rate of approximately 84.9% (Jan 2025), demonstrating a solid digital infrastructure and fertile ground for the adoption of digital financial services. DataReportal (Jan 2025)
  • Strong regulatory reforms: simplification of KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures, the development of the national financial inclusion strategy (2018–2022), and the digitalization of state services via E-Houwiya, e-Bawala, and e-wallets. Sources: LinkedIn , Oxford Business Group

    Challenges persist: A large part of the population does not benefit from financial inclusion.

  • In 2023, 30 to 40% of Tunisian adults remained underbanked or unbanked. : Financial Inclusion in Tunisia (World Bank)
  • More than 50% of Tunisian adults primarily operate in cash, which constitutes de facto financial exclusion, regardless of their banking status. This is a form of functional exclusion. Microdata World Bank

3️⃣ Focus: Tunisian youth, a stark digital and financial paradox

  • Slow progress, untapped potential: The need to accelerate
  • In 2021, only 24% of 15-24 year olds had a formal account (bank or postal). : Global Findex (World Bank)
  • Too slow and insufficient progress since 2014: 19% in 2014 → 23% in 2017 → 24% in 2021. These figures reveal a significant delay compared to national aspirations and the needs of a modern economy.
  • A striking paradox: "Digital natives" financially excluded. How is this possible?
  • Our youth are "digital natives" par excellence: they are already heavily equipped with smartphones, constantly connected, and naturally ready to adopt innovative applications and digital solutions.
  • Yet, their access to and use of formal financial tools remain surprisingly low. This dichotomy significantly hinders their ability to manage a budget, save money, invest in their future, and achieve financial emancipation, thus perpetuating a cycle of vulnerability.
  • Why this disconnect between their digital agility and their low financial inclusion? Often, traditional banking offers are perceived as complex, inaccessible, or simply not adapted to their needs and digital lifestyle. The lack of early financial education also plays a crucial role.

4️⃣ Why prioritize youth... now! An investment for the future

  • The country's future is them: Their financial inclusion is not an option, but an essential strategic investment for Tunisia's future prosperity. They will be the next generation of dynamic consumers, innovative entrepreneurs, and active taxpayers.
  • Accelerated natural adoption: The digital world is already their daily universe. The adoption of digital financial tools will therefore be faster and more intuitive for them than for other generations, maximizing the impact and dissemination of inclusion initiatives.
  • Develop a sustainable financial culture: Learning to save, budget, and analyze expenses from adolescence allows for the development of a solid and sustainable financial culture. These skills are pillars for a responsible and autonomous adult life.
  • Strengthening resilience: For Tunisia, better financing youth directly strengthens economic activity, improves social resilience to tomorrow's challenges, and consolidates national stability for the next decade. It is a crucial step towards a more equitable, productive, and prosperous society.

5️⃣ Inspiring examples: Financial inclusion as a driver of economic growth

International experience clearly demonstrates that financial inclusion is not just a matter of equity, but a powerful lever for economic development. Countries have transformed their economies by giving their citizens broader and more effective access to financial services.

India: A digital and financial revolution through universal access

  • The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) program, launched in 2014, aimed to provide a bank account to every household. This initiative increased the account ownership rate from 53% in 2014 to 80% currently.
  • Thanks to this infrastructure, India was able to effectively distribute social aid and relief funds, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The unified payment system UPI (Unified Payments Interface) has more than 350 million active users and accounts for nearly half of global real-time digital transactions. This has stimulated consumption, formal savings, and investment.
  • Financial inclusion has reduced the account ownership gaps between social classes and genders, leading to greater financial security and an environment conducive to investment. Financial inclusion through technology and literacy in India: Strategies for sustainable growth - EY

Kenya: M-Pesa, a mobile success story

6️⃣ Flexee Pay: The first - and unique - platform dedicated to youth financial inclusion in Tunisia

Facing these crucial challenges, Flexee Pay embodies an innovative and unique response in the Tunisian market, filling an essential gap:

  • A clear and unprecedented mission: Financial autonomy at young people's fingertips.
    • For young people (12-25 years old) middle school, high school, and university students: Learn in a fun and secure way to hold an account, manage a budget, save, track and analyze their daily expenses thanks to an intuitive and engaging application.
    • For parents: Build a relationship of trust around pocket money, support their children in their financial journey without intrusive control, and effectively prepare them for responsible financial autonomy.
  • Why Flexee Pay is unique and essential for Tunisia:
    • It is the ONLY Tunisian platform exclusively dedicated to youth financial inclusion. This specialization guarantees a tailored, relevant, and deeply rooted approach in the specificities of this age group.
    • It harmoniously combines financial education (with practical learning modules directly embedded in the app) and real financial services (accounts, piggy bank, mobile payment). This is a holistic and pragmatic approach that was sorely lacking in the market.
    • It relies on modern, secure, and interoperable technology, fully compatible with national digitalization initiatives (e-wallets, digital identity, digital payments), thus perfectly aligning with the national strategic vision.
  • A major challenge for the next 10 years: Building a more resilient and inclusive society.
    • Young people who use Flexee Pay will not become financially excluded adults, but banked, responsible, and autonomous citizens, capable of taking charge of their financial future.
    • At the national level, the adoption of Flexee Pay will result in more opened accounts, increased formal savings, and a reduction in economic and social inequalities. This dynamic will stimulate productive investments and contribute to the overall growth of the Tunisian economy.
    • By acting in this way, Flexee Pay lays the foundations for a more equitable, innovative, and robust economy, transforming youth financial inclusion into a tangible and beneficial reality for all.
Young people using the Flexee Pay application Conclusion: It's time to act, now, with Flexee Pay.

Young people represent the future and the driving force of Tunisia: their financial inclusion is not only a challenge, but above all an opportunity and the priority for the next 10 years.

Tunisia has all the necessary assets (growing digital infrastructure, favorable regulations, a dynamic fintech ecosystem), but young people unfortunately remain, for the most part, outside the formal financial system.

With a formal inclusion rate of only 24% for 15-24 year olds in 2021, it is imperative to act, and act now, to close this gap.

Flexee Pay positions itself as the only accessible and easy-to-use platform: educational, secure, and resolutely focused on young people. It is the concrete solution to transform a major societal issue into a formidable collective opportunity for the development and prosperity of Tunisian society and economy.