Faced with a pressure purchasing power and the restriction of the use of checks as a guarantee means, new emerging payment solutions in Tunisia. The BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later), or “Buy now, pay later”, is gradually essential as an alternative, flexible and digital mode of consumption. Several Tunisian banks have recently launched their offers, aimed at supporting the growing household needs and stimulating consumption.
The reform of the Law on Checks, which entered into force in early 2025, led to a decline in the use of the check as an informal credit tool, especially in the sectors of trade, health or education. This change highlighted the need to develop more framed delayed payment mechanisms. The BNPL, based on the splitting of payment without heavy formalities, meets this expectation.
BTK Bank, Amen Bank… open the way
BTK Bank which proposed a 100 % digital BNPL solution with the “super ease” service. Accessible via its BTK Pay mobile application, this device allows customers to stagger their purchases in 2 to 12 monthly payments. The solution can be used in merchants with electronic payment terminals and on partner e-commerce platforms.
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The Banking Union for Trade and Industry (UBCI) has launched the “Flex Pay” service, operating via payment terminals (TPE) of its business partners. This system allows customers with UBCI cards to stagger their purchases at the time of payment, without specific mobile application. This approach makes the service accessible to a wider audience, especially less connected.
For his part, Amen Bank introduced the “Tashil Plus” card at the end of 2024, designed specifically for split payment. This card allows customers to make deferred payments over a period of up to 12 months, for a total amount capped at 20,000 dinars. Refunds are managed via digital or agency banking platforms.
A formula that seduces
This type of solution meets a strong demand for budgetary flexibility. In a context of generalized prices increase, split payment allows many Tunisians to access services or goods that they could not acquire in cash. BNPL thus becomes a credible alternative to classic credit, often deemed heavy or inaccessible.
On the merchant side, the BNPL represents a lever for increasing sales, while guaranteeing immediate payment thanks to the agreements made with the banks. The most interested sectors are those of private health, household appliances, training and tourism.
Note also that in February 2025, the Startup MS Solutionsin partnership with the Central Bank, began to prepare the launch of the BNPL in Tunisia. No finalized program existed at that time, but the negotiations were indeed committed.
Risks to anticipate
Despite its advantages, BNPL is not without risks. One of the main dangers is silent over -indebtedness. By multiplying fractional purchases, some users can quickly exceed their real reimbursement capacity. The absence of a solid financial culture accentuates this risk, especially among young people or households with variable income.
In addition, access disparities remain. Completely digital offers like that of BTK can exclude part of the population, especially in rural areas or badly served by digital infrastructure. Conversely, solutions based on VSEs require a sufficiently dense commercial network.
