He served in several ministerial positions under the government of Habib Bourguiba and was President of the Central Bank of Tunisia from 24 July 2012 to 16 February 2018.

He earned a doctorate in economics in 1961 and a master's degree in private law from the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences of the Paris-Sorbonne University.

[1] Ayari began his career as a department head at the Société Tunisienne de Banque before becoming an assistant professor at Tunis University the following year.

[2] During his career, he earned the title of doctorus honoris causa from Aix-Marseille University and Honorary President of the Association internationale des sociologues de langue française [fr].

[8][9] He was the author of numerous books focusing on economic, financial, monetary, social, and political issues, which were published in French, Arabic, English, and German.

[14] His approval was highly criticized due to his relationship with former ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who was overthrown during the Tunisian Revolution in 2011.

[19] On 14 February 2018, he assured the Assembly of the Representatives of the People in a hearing that Tunisia's placement on the blacklist of the European Parliament was purely political.