The main challenge for Tunisia’s new government, which was finally voted in on Feb. 26, is to rebuild Tunisia’s economy and unlock its untapped potential to be an economic gateway to Africa. But right now things are incredibly fragile.

Now that the newly appointed ministers are settled into their posts, the main task at hand is rescuing Tunisia from the perilous downward economic spiral of the post-revolutionary years. Although this quarter’s inflation and unemployment have fallen somewhat, they are not indicators of a spontaneous recovery.

Since 2016, growth has emerged in small segments such as tourism and the textile industries. But data published by the German data analytics website Census and Economic Information Center shows entrenched economic stagnation with Tunisia’s foreign borrowing having risen from 50% of the GDP in 2010 to 99.4% of GDP in 2018.

Outspoken economic consultant Ezzedine Saidane told Al-Monitor, “Things really don’t look brilliant; overall the growth rate in 2019 was less than 1%.” Saidane explained that Tunisia’s burden of debt has become unbearable. “1% is less than the real cost of borrowing,” he added, saying, “The question is whether this level of debt is sustainable, and if Tunisia is still in a position to pay back its debt normally and on time.”