Italian direct investments in Tunisia have shown significant growth in the first half of 2026, with a total of 190.38 million dinars invested across 156 projects, creating 2,347 jobs. According to Wissem El Hani, director of the Milan office of the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA), this growth is characterized by a trend of existing Italian companies expanding their operations rather than new investors entering the market. This indicates a strong level of confidence in Tunisia's industrial ecosystem.
A breakdown of the investments reveals that 143 projects were extensions of existing units, accounting for 157.56 million dinars and 1,835 jobs, while 13 new units were established, representing 32.82 million dinars and 512 jobs. This suggests that Italian companies already operating in Tunisia are choosing to reinvest rather than waiting, sending a positive signal about the country's investment climate.
The sectors that received the most investment were electrical and electronics, with 83.82 million dinars, followed by mechanical and metallurgical industries, with 53.46 million dinars. Other sectors, including leather and footwear, diverse industries, textiles and clothing, and plastics, also received significant investments. These six sectors accounted for 183.80 million dinars, or nearly the entire total invested during the semester.
The stock of Italian direct investments in Tunisia reached 4,565.77 million dinars as of December 31, 2025, with 1,072 Italian companies operating in the country and 85,255 jobs created. This makes Italy one of Tunisia's primary industrial partners, and the first half of 2026 appears to be a continuation of this trend rather than an acceleration.
The Italian investments in Tunisia are a testament to the strong partnership between the two countries, with Italian companies demonstrating a long-term commitment to the Tunisian market. The fact that most investments came from existing companies expanding their operations suggests a high level of satisfaction with the current business environment.
The growth of Italian investments in Tunisia is also significant in the context of the country's efforts to attract foreign investment. Despite global economic challenges, Tunisia has been able to maintain a steady flow of investments from Italy, which is a key player in the country's industrial sector.
As the year comes to a close, it will be interesting to see if the trend of Italian investments in Tunisia continues, and if the country can build on this momentum to attract even more foreign investment in the future. For now, the first half of 2026 suggests that Italy remains a vital partner for Tunisia's industrial development.
Key points
- Italian direct investments in Tunisia reached 190 million dinars in the first half of 2026.
- Most investments came from existing Italian companies expanding their operations, rather than new investors.
- The stock of Italian direct investments in Tunisia exceeded 4.5 billion dinars as of December 31, 2025.
