At the Tunisia Investment Forum 2026, the African Development Bank (AfDB) called for opportunities to be transformed into investments and introduced Tunisian businesses to procurement opportunities financed by multilateral institutions, according to a press release by the African Development Bank. The 22nd edition of the Forum was organized by the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency, FIPA-Tunisia, under the auspices of the Ministry of Economy and Planning and in partnership with the African Development Bank. It took place on 25 and 26 June in the Tunisian capital. Sarra Zaafrani, Head of Government of Tunisia, delivered the opening address at the event. The Forum sought to mobilize investors and connect local businesses with regional and continental markets.
Held under the theme “Tunisia: Renewed Dynamic, New Opportunities,” the event convened public authorities, investors, business leaders, professional organizations, and development partners. Participants discussed the levers needed to strengthen the country’s attractiveness and turn more investment projects into reality. The African Development Bank Group reaffirmed its commitment to supporting productive, sustainable, and job-creating investment in Tunisia. It also emphasized strengthening the country’s positioning in African markets. The Forum served as a platform to align stakeholders around shared investment priorities.
Malinne Blomberg, Deputy Director General for North Africa of the African Development Bank Group and Country Manager for Tunisia, outlined three priorities during the event. These included directing investment toward productive, green, and inclusive transformation, and making African integration an accelerator of investment. She also stressed strengthening coordination among public authorities, the private sector, financial institutions, and professional organizations to accelerate project preparation and implementation. Tunisia holds internationally recognized comparative advantages in automotive components, textiles and apparel, agro-industry, digital technologies, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. Its membership in the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa opens new prospects for Tunisian businesses seeking continental market access.
As part of the Forum, the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank, in partnership with FIPA-Tunisia, organized a seminar on business opportunities linked to the projects they finance in Tunisia, North Africa and across the continent.
“The partnership with the African Development Bank strengthens the operational reach of the Tunisia Investment Forum,” said Jalel Tebib, Director General of FIPA-Tunisia.
He added that it helps connect Tunisian investors and businesses with financing, projects, and regional markets to turn identified opportunities into concrete, job-creating investments. The seminar presented project portfolios, procurement procedures, tender information platforms, and good practices to help businesses position themselves more effectively. Discussions also focused on strengthening competitiveness through consortia, joint ventures, and partnerships that bring together complementary expertise.
Speaking at the opening of the seminar, Blomberg said: “The potential exists, the skills exist and the opportunities exist. Our collective responsibility now is to connect them more effectively.”
She also noted that the success of the edition would be measured by partnerships established, projects financed, and jobs and opportunities created for Tunisian women and men. The Bank’s engagement reinforces its focus on connecting Tunisian enterprises to multilateral procurement channels. Stakeholders reiterated the shared goal of converting identified opportunities into tangible investments. The 22nd edition of the Tunisia Investment Forum concluded with a renewed commitment to cooperation across public and private actors.