Tunisia Unveils Ambitious Project to Transform Coastal Region of Mahdia
At the Carthage 2026 International Building and Construction Exhibition, the Ben Ghayadha project, located in the Mahdia governorate, was officially presented to the public. This marks the launch of the first phase of national valorization of a project considered one of the future urban, tourist, and economic hubs of the Tunisian coast.
A Public-Private Partnership Project
The Ben Ghayadha project is part of the national framework for monitoring blocked projects under the presidency of the government. It integrates a broader strategy of transforming high-potential areas into modern, sustainable, and attractive urban spaces for investment. The project is based on a public-private partnership logic, aiming to associate the state and investors in the realization of structuring projects.
A Key Step in Project Structuration
According to Atef Majdoub, president of the General Instance of Public-Private Partnerships (IGPPP), this step is essential in structuring the project, aiming to ensure its visibility at the national level before opening up to international investors. The choice of the Carthage 2026 exhibition is explained by the strong presence of actors in the building, real estate, urban planning, and tourism sectors, considered key partners for the project's success.
A National Phase Focused on Tunisian Investors
In the same vein, Atef Majdoub emphasized that the adopted strategy initially focuses on mobilizing Tunisian investors. "This orientation aims to strengthen local integration of the project and ensure active participation of national companies in its various components, including public works, real estate promotion, infrastructure, and tourism-related services," he explained.
Consultations with Tunisian Companies
Several bilateral meetings have been organized with Tunisian companies and groups specialized in these sectors. These exchanges have allowed for the presentation of the project's contours, exploration of investment opportunities, and collection of significant interest from local economic operators.
Understanding Market Expectations
In parallel, these consultations aim to better understand market expectations and define the technical and economic conditions of the future call for tenders, including the level of local integration and modalities for participation by foreign or strategic investors.
A Transparent and Competitive Process
According to Borhene Dhaouadi, director of technical assistance to the Tunisian government responsible for the Ben Ghayadha project, this phase allows for the identification of potential constraints, whether technical, financial, or regulatory, to be integrated into the preparation of the final tender dossier. The goal is to ensure a transparent, competitive, and internationally compliant public-private partnership process.
Launch of the Call for Tenders
The launch of the call for tenders is scheduled for the third quarter of the current year, allowing for the selection of the investor or consortium responsible for developing the project, which can be Tunisian or formed through a Tunisian-international partnership.
A Structuring Project in the Dynamics of Urban Development in Tunisia
The Ben Ghayadha project, whose visual identity will be finalized within approximately one and a half months, will then be subject to international promotion. It is designed as a structuring urban project that will play a major role in the economic growth and job creation dynamics, particularly in the Mahdia region.
A Model of Sustainable and Integrated Development
The project aims to become a strategic lever for territorial transformation, contributing to the emergence of new economic centralities on the Tunisian coast and the consolidation of a sustainable urban development model at the national level.
A Reference for Urban Development in Tunisia
The Ben Ghayadha project is part of a series of national initiatives for urban transformation, alongside projects such as the Sijoumi sebkha, the Taparura project, and the Monastir Gulf project. These projects aim to requalify strategic coastal areas to create new poles of economic, tourist, and residential development.
A Successful Model of Public-Private Partnership
The project is based on the successful experiences of Tunisia in public-private partnerships, particularly with Al Buhaira Invest, the central actor in the development of the Berges du Lac project, often cited as a reference in structured urban development. This model combines public expertise, private financing, and operational efficiency.
A National Dynamic of Urban Development
The Ben Ghayadha project is fully integrated into the national dynamic of urban development based on public-private partnerships. This approach allows for the capitalization of previous experiences to design an integrated urban development model, balancing economic performance, territorial attractiveness, and sustainability. It also contributes to strengthening Tunisia's capacity to develop replicable projects in other high-potential regions.
