Foreign Investment in Tunisia Sees Positive Trend
According to Hatem Soussia, Central Director at the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA), the flow of foreign investments has recorded a positive dynamic, with an increase of 20.8% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Tunisia has thus attracted foreign investments worth 1650.3 million dinars (MD), compared to 1366 MD the previous year.
Excluding the Energy Sector
Foreign direct investments have created 4677 new jobs in the first six months, which represents a positive point, he specified. Mr. Soussia also explained that foreign companies or those with foreign participation are major job creators, with around 13,000 to 15,000 jobs created each year, particularly through expansion projects. He added that employment and direct investment opportunities are generally more significant in the second half of the year.
Managing Changes in Labor Law
He emphasized that foreign companies established in Tunisia have managed the recent changes in labor law well, and that this has not had a negative impact on companies or employment opportunities.
Sectors of Activity
Indicators show that the manufacturing sector has attracted the most foreign direct investments, reaching 1031.3 MD by the end of June 2025, compared to 838.9 MD in the same period in 2024, representing a growth of 22.9%. This demonstrates Tunisia's attractiveness and competitiveness for external investments.
A 60% increase is also observed in the energy sector, although the amount does not exceed 1 MD.
Expansion Operations
Mr. Soussia mentioned that expansions represent 92% of total investments. The amounts vary from 1 MD to 300 MD and are generally carried out progressively over a period of 3 years. Most expanding companies in Tunisia invest a minimum of 60 MD, and sometimes up to 120 MD, using the most modern equipment.
Foreign direct investments also include the acquisition of land and used equipment, which means that the real value of investments is often higher than the declared amounts.
FIPA's Focus Sectors
The Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) primarily focuses on six sectors to attract targeted investments:
- Automotive components
- Aeronautical components
- Information and communication technologies
- Pharmaceutical sector
- Textile industry
- Agri-food industry
He also noted that most companies in these sectors, such as aeronautics and automotive, have research and development departments in Tunisia.
