The Pôle de Compétitivité de Sousse (Novation City) and the International Centre for Industrial Transformation (INCIT) have signed a landmark strategic partnership agreement to advance digital industrial transformation across Africa. The agreement was formalised at Hannover Messe 2025, the world’s leading trade fair for industrial technology, held from 30 March to 4 April 2025 in Hannover, Germany.
In line with the vision of the Tunisian Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy, this collaboration underscores Tunisia’s growing role as a regional hub for industrial digitalisation. It aims to enhance competitiveness in Industry 4.0, attract foreign investment, and support sustainable development across the region.
Through this partnership, Novation City achieves several international firsts:
• It becomes the first training and certification centre in Africa for Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI) and the Consumer Sustainability Industry Readiness Index (COSIRI) – global benchmarks for digital maturity and sustainability in manufacturing.
• It is now recognised as the world’s first certification centre for Operational Excellence Readiness Index (OPERI), a prioritisation index developed by INCIT to assess and accelerate operational excellence in industrial Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and small businesses.
This milestone builds upon the momentum from Hannover Messe 2024, where a protocol of intent was signed between INCIT and its partners across Africa. The work programme now includes Algeria, Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and Senegal, with the shared vision of transforming Africa into a centre of industrial and digital excellence.
The International Centre for Industrial Transformation (INCIT) is a global non-profit organisation dedicated to accelerating the transformation of the manufacturing sector through evidence-based tools, inclusive programmes, and international collaboration. With a strong focus on sustainability, productivity, and resilience, INCIT empowers businesses through its suite of industrial prioritisation indexes—including the Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI), the Consumer Sustainability Industry Readiness Index (COSIRI), and the Operational Excellence Readiness Index (OPERI).
By bridging global standards with regional action, INCIT helps companies of all sizes identify where to start, what to prioritise, and how to scale transformation. This partnership with Novation City is a bold step forward in strengthening industrial competitiveness and unlocking long-term impact across Africa.
As the industrial landscape evolves toward Industry 4.0 and 5.0, initiatives like this are instrumental in ensuring that African industry is not only part of the global conversation—but leading it.
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About Novation City
Pôle de Compétitivité de Sousse or Novation City is Tunisia’s premier innovation and industrial transformation hub, designed to drive the future of manufacturing and technology. Located in Sousse, this dynamic centre brings together businesses, researchers, and government partners to foster collaboration, ignite innovation, and accelerate digitalisation across Africa.
As a leading player in Industry 4.0, Novation City offers cutting-edge training, certification, and strategic support to enterprises looking to boost their competitiveness, adopt sustainable practices, and integrate advanced technologies. With a vision to make Tunisia a global leader in industrial excellence, Novation City is paving the way for a smarter, more resilient future.
About INCIT
The International Centre for Industrial Transformation (INCIT) is a non-profit, independent organisation dedicated to accelerating the digital and sustainable transformation of the global manufacturing industry. Through globally recognised assessment frameworks and data-driven prioritisation tools, INCIT empowers manufacturers, governments, and technology providers to benchmark readiness, identify improvement areas, and drive operational excellence and industrial innovation.
