On October 2, 2026, German companies met with preselected Tunisian professionals in Tunis to explore employment opportunities in Germany. This event was part of the African Skills for Germany (AS4G) program, which aims to facilitate the professional integration of Tunisian candidates into the German job market. The program focuses on five key areas: IT, electrical and energy, mechanical industry, automation, logistics, and transportation. This initiative highlights the growing economic relationship between Tunisia and Germany.
The AS4G program, organized by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Tunisia (AHK), included individual interviews between preselected professionals and German companies. The program will continue on October 3 with a focus on heavy truck drivers, including 100 practical driving tests using two category CE trucks. This effort demonstrates the potential for Tunisian professionals to access international job opportunities. Meanwhile, another development is unfolding in Béja, where Kromberg & Schubert is expanding its operations.
Kromberg & Schubert's new site in Béja, known as Béja 2, already employs 2,600 people, with plans to reach 3,500 employees in 2027 and 6,000 in 2028. By 2029, the company's two sites in Béja are expected to create nearly 14,700 jobs. This expansion highlights the potential for industrial growth and job creation in Tunisia. The contrast between AS4G and Kromberg & Schubert's initiatives raises questions about the competition for skilled Tunisian workers.
While AS4G focuses on placing Tunisian professionals in German companies, Kromberg & Schubert is investing in local employment opportunities. The data available does not suggest a direct overlap between the two initiatives, but it does reveal a broader economic trend. Tunisian expertise is becoming a valuable resource for both international job mobility and local industrialization. This dual dynamic presents a challenge for Tunisia: balancing the need to facilitate legal mobility abroad with the growing demands of local investments.
The AHK has been actively promoting the AS4G program, which aims to address the skills gap in Germany while providing opportunities for Tunisian professionals. The program's success will depend on its ability to match Tunisian skills with German job requirements. Meanwhile, Kromberg & Schubert's expansion in Béja demonstrates the potential for foreign investment to drive job creation in Tunisia.
The Tunisian government faces a complex task in managing the country's employment landscape. On one hand, it must facilitate the mobility of skilled workers to international markets, particularly in Europe. On the other hand, it must ensure that local investments, such as Kromberg & Schubert's expansion, have access to the necessary talent. The government's ability to balance these competing demands will be crucial in determining the country's economic future.
As Tunisia navigates these employment opportunities and challenges, the country's economic stability and growth will depend on its ability to develop a skilled workforce. The initiatives of AS4G and Kromberg & Schubert highlight the potential for collaboration between international partners and local businesses to drive job creation and economic development. The coming years will be crucial in determining the success of these efforts and their impact on Tunisia's economy.
Key points
- Tunisia faces a challenge in balancing the need to facilitate legal mobility abroad with the growing demands of local investments.
- Kromberg & Schubert plans to create nearly 14,700 jobs in Béja by 2029.
- The AS4G program aims to facilitate the professional integration of Tunisian candidates into the German job market.
