# Tunisia Revives Large‑Scale Infrastructure and Urban Development Projects
Image: AI illustration
A Renewed Momentum for Mega‑Projects
Tunisia appears to be gradually returning to the dynamic of major infrastructure and urban‑development projects. Between strategic megaprojects, new residential districts, and infrastructure under preparation, several dossiers have made notable progress in recent months, reflecting an official will to accelerate investment and reignite growth.
The Enfidha Deep‑Water Port – A National Strategic Asset
One of the most emblematic initiatives is the future deep‑water port of Enfidha, regarded as a strategic infrastructure at the national level.
- Key milestone (18 Feb 2026): A meeting at the Ministry of the Environment approved the update of technical, economic, and environmental studies and the drafting of an action plan for the next project phase.
- Goal: Speed up the port’s realization while guaranteeing compliance with environmental standards.
The port, slated to spread over several hundred hectares with a large adjoining logistics zone, aims to strengthen Tunisia’s position in the Mediterranean and boost its commercial competitiveness. Authorities view it as a potential regional hub for maritime transport and logistics.
State‑Led Revival of Large‑Scale Works
Beyond Enfidha, the revival of mega‑projects fits into a broader policy of monitoring and accelerating public investment. The National Megaprojects Commission has called for faster delivery of infrastructure in transport, health, and higher education to stimulate growth and job creation.
This momentum is evident in two ways:
- Re‑activation of long‑dormant projects
- Progress on urban and real‑estate schemes in Greater Tunis, where several flagship programmes are reaching maturity.
Example: “Jardins de Tunis” – A Massive West‑Side Suburban Development
- Supervisor: Agency for Housing Land (Agence Foncière d’Habitation)
- Scope: 303 ha real‑estate programme, ~70 % complete
- Investment: ~400 million TND
The plan includes about 12,000 housing units for various social categories, public infrastructure, green spaces, and mixed‑use zones. A 75‑ha smart eco‑district will incorporate solar energy, water recycling, and waste valorisation. The project illustrates Tunisia’s effort to meet demographic pressure and rising housing demand while embedding stricter environmental standards.
New Urban Showcase Around Lake Tunis
Further north, the Perle du Lac 2 project continues the development of the Lake Tunis waterfront.
- Area: 57 ha
- Progress: 85 % (delivery expected by mid‑2026)
Designed as a strategic investment pole, it will host a modern city combining commercial zones, business centres, and contemporary infrastructure. Its proximity to the airport and major road arteries positions it as a future activity hub that should enhance the capital’s economic attractiveness. Authorities present such projects as levers for urban modernisation, intended to accompany the capital’s transformation and draw investors.
Structuring Projects Still in the Planning Phase
While some works are visibly advancing, other cornerstone projects remain in preparatory stages. The Enfidha port, for instance, still depends on the completion of studies and the mobilisation of necessary financing. Construction could span several years after the official start of works, but it is considered a major driver for the country’s economic development.
Other significant investments are underway in public‑service infrastructure—particularly transport and energy—reflecting a broader push to modernise national equipment.
Persistent Challenges
- Financing gaps
- Administrative complexity
- Stringent environmental compliance
In the case of Enfidha, authorities stress the need for coherence between economic imperatives and environmental requirements, signalling a growing awareness of sustainable‑development issues.
On the ground, these projects generate high expectations for employment and regional development. Large‑scale works are often seen as potential growth engines in an economy that urgently needs fresh investment.
A Still‑Fragile but Promising Dynamic
The surge of announcements and official visits demonstrates a political will to revive mega‑projects after a decade marked by delays and blockages. Several flagship initiatives, long stuck at the study stage, now appear to be moving forward, even if full realisation remains uncertain.
Between strategic undertakings like the Enfidha port and new urban poles around Greater Tunis, Tunisia seems to be entering a phase of gradual revival of its major construction programmes. The momentum is still fragile, but if it consolidates, it could permanently reshape the country’s economic and urban landscape.
Keywords: Tunisia, Enfidha deep‑water port, mega‑projects, infrastructure investment, urban development, Jardins de Tunis, Perle du Lac 2, sustainable construction, economic growth, public‑private partnership.
