Tunisia and Algeria on Friday launched a digital platform designed to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) research and foster closer collaboration between universities, laboratories, and research institutions in both countries.
The initiative, announced by Moez Chafra, president of the University of Tunis El Manar, aims to connect researchers across borders, enabling data sharing, networking, and dissemination of scientific work to overcome the fragmentation typical of traditional research approaches.
“The platform will accelerate knowledge production, support applied research, and strengthen collaboration in strategic areas of technology,” Chafra said at the second International Forum on Emerging and Intelligent Information Technologies.
Cross-border collaboration in focus
The project builds on earlier cooperation established during the 7th Forum of Algeria-Tunisia Border Universities in Souk Ahras in December 2025, where participating institutions pledged to create a shared integration model to strengthen unity in higher education and research.
Officials said the platform is designed to structure collaboration among researchers, facilitating joint projects and practical applications of AI in key sectors such as education, healthcare, and industry. By improving access to resources and promoting coordinated initiatives, the platform aims to generate solutions tailored to local and regional challenges.
“Artificial intelligence is a strategic driver of innovation. Coordinated research will allow us to address real-world problems more effectively,” said a senior Algerian education official involved in the project.
Strengthening research and innovation
The platform provides a centralized digital infrastructure, connecting universities and laboratories in both countries while streamlining the exchange of scientific data. Researchers will be able to collaborate more efficiently, reducing duplication of effort and speeding up the production of high-quality, applied research.
Authorities emphasized that the initiative could transform research practices in the Maghreb by making AI studies more practical, results-driven, and coordinated. The project also seeks to enhance the region’s competitiveness in emerging technologies, building local capacity for innovation and problem-solving.
The platform is expected to support both fundamental and applied research, facilitating experiments, shared datasets, and development of AI tools tailored to regional educational, industrial, and healthcare needs. Officials hope it will serve as a model for wider regional cooperation in science and technology.
Broader context
Tunisia and Algeria have a history of academic and research collaboration, particularly in higher education along border regions. Previous joint projects have focused on scientific publications, technology transfer, and capacity-building in engineering, computer science, and applied sciences.
Experts say the creation of a dedicated digital platform represents a significant step toward systematic, technology-driven integration of research across the Maghreb. It also aligns with global trends emphasizing the importance of AI as a transformative force in economic development, public policy, and social innovation.
“By integrating our universities and research labs through shared digital tools, we are laying the groundwork for a Maghreb-wide AI ecosystem,” Chafra said.
Officials plan to expand the platform in stages, starting with core universities and laboratories in Tunisia and Algeria, with the long-term goal of extending participation to other Maghreb countries and fostering a broader regional research network.
The initiative is seen as a milestone in regional scientific cooperation, combining digital infrastructure, talent development, and applied research to create a coordinated and sustainable AI research ecosystem in North Africa.
