German Group LAPP Opens Research and Development Center in Tunisia

Image: illustration IA

German electrical and electronic cable manufacturer LAPP has inaugurated a research and development center in the governorate of Sousse, Tunisia, on May 12, 2026. This new facility, which starts with an initial team of 25 engineers and technicians, marks the first step in the group's expansion strategy in Tunisia.

According to Saïf Allah Rached, vice-president of the group and director of operations for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, this project is the starting point for more significant investments in the country. He stated that LAPP aims to increase the number of engineers and technicians at the R&D center to 120 within the next year and a half, and eventually reach around 300 professionals in the medium term.

Industrial Growth in Tunisia

Building on this momentum, the German group announced its intention to acquire a factory in the Cap Bon region in the coming days. The industrial unit, currently employing around 180 people, will undergo modernization or reconstruction in accordance with the latest European standards.

This industrial installation is expected to create 600 jobs in the first phase, with a progressive growth ambition that could reach up to 3,000 positions in the medium term, according to the group's projections.

Tunisia Fosters Competence and Innovation

Tunisia's Minister of Economy and Planning, Samir Abdelhafidh, highlighted the strategic importance of this investment during the inauguration ceremony. He emphasized that projects like this respond to the aspirations of young graduates and highly qualified Tunisian professionals, particularly in the fields of engineering and advanced technologies.

The minister also noted that LAPP is present in 27 countries through its production units, reinforcing the international scope of this investment in Tunisia. He expressed his wish to see the group expand its presence in the country, particularly through the creation of new industrial and technological units.

With this new R&D center, Tunisia confirms its position as a regional hub for high-value-added investments, particularly in industrial and technological sectors. This type of project is part of a broader logic of upgrading the Tunisian economy, focusing on innovation, research, and the integration of local skills into international production chains.

LAPP's initiative is part of a larger dynamic to strengthen Tunisia's industrial ecosystem, combining research development, creation of qualified jobs, and modernization of the productive fabric.