The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a subsidiary of the World Bank, has announced a financing package of up to €52 million for German group Marquardt to develop its industrial activities in Tunisia. This expansion, which concerns three production sites in the Greater Tunis area, is expected to create over 400 jobs in the coming years. Marquardt has been present in Tunisia since 1991 and is a leading manufacturer of automotive components.
The financing package, announced on November 3, 2026, aims to strengthen Marquardt's industrial capacities and support the production of higher-value-added mechatronic components. The funding will take the form of a loan to finance equipment, expansion of facilities, and working capital needs for the Tunisian subsidiary. Marquardt's three industrial establishments in the Greater Tunis area will benefit from the investment, including two located in the El Agba industrial zone and a third in El Fejja, Manouba governorate.
Marquardt currently employs around 2,000 people in Tunisia, with women making up nearly 65% of its workforce. The project aims to support their progression into technical and management roles. The company manufactures electric switches and mechatronic systems used in the automotive industry, and its Tunisian operations also include research and development functions. The expansion is expected to create over 400 additional jobs in the coming years, mainly in industrial and technical fields.
The investment also includes initiatives to improve energy efficiency and install photovoltaic equipment. This move is significant, given the importance of the automotive sector in Tunisia's industrial exports. According to the IFC, the Tunisian automotive components industry comprises nearly 300 companies, directly employing around 90,000 people. In 2025, the sector's exports reached nearly 10 billion dinars, representing over 5% of the country's GDP.
Marquardt, founded in Germany in 1925, develops mechatronic systems for the automotive, household appliance, and industrial equipment sectors. The IFC's financing will support the company's increased production capacity in Tunisia and the development of components for new generations of vehicles. This investment builds on Marquardt's existing presence in Tunisia, where it has been operating for over 30 years.
The Tunisian automotive sector has seen significant investment in recent years, with German company GRAMMER AG considering an investment that could create 1,200 jobs. Additionally, a new cable factory opened in Béja, aiming to create 7,500 jobs. These developments highlight the growing importance of Tunisia as a hub for automotive manufacturing and export.
The Marquardt expansion project demonstrates the confidence of international investors in Tunisia's industrial sector. With a strong focus on job creation, skills development, and sustainable practices, the project is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy. As the Tunisian government continues to promote investment and economic growth, projects like Marquardt's expansion will play a crucial role in driving the country's industrial development.
Key points
- The investment will create over 400 jobs in the coming years, mainly in industrial and technical fields.
- The project aims to support the progression of women in the workforce into technical and management roles.
- The expansion will focus on producing higher-value-added mechatronic components for the automotive industry.
