Investing in Tunisia: Opportunities and Growth Sectors

Investing in Tunisia offers concrete opportunities in the green, digital, tourism, manufacturing, and export sectors. Discover the scenarios, tax incentives, risks, and competitive advantages of the Tunisian market.
Banconote di dinaro tunisino con grafici finanziari in crescita, simboli monetari e la mappa della Tunisia, che suggeriscono opportunità di investimento nel paese.
Investing in Tunisia today means embracing a country in full economic transformation, offering foreign entrepreneurs scenarios of real growth and numerous business opportunities. Located in the heart of the Mediterranean, Tunisia combines unique geopolitical advantages, a skilled workforce, business incentives, and a stability that supports new investments. Understanding the most promising sectors, such as renewable energy, digital, tourism, and manufacturing, is crucial for investing successfully in Tunisia. From bureaucratic simplification to numerous international trade agreements, to government development strategies – we will explore the real potential of this increasingly attractive destination for those wishing to grow their businesses in emerging markets.

Why Invest in Tunisia in 2025

Tunisia represents one of the most interesting destinations for international investors thanks to its strategic position, free trade agreements with Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and the monetary stability pursued in recent years. In the last 24 months, the business climate has also improved thanks to structural reforms, making the country a key hub for those intending to expand their business in North Africa.

Furthermore, partnerships with Italy and the European Union have led to direct investments, technical innovation, and support for SMEs, with an estimated GDP growth of between 2% and 4% in the 2024-2025 biennium. The main macroeconomic indicators confirm a solid recovery in key sectors, while investor confidence is growing thanks to legal guarantees and favorable taxation.

Compared to other emerging countries, investing in Tunisia allows for the exploitation of reduced operating costs, modern infrastructure, and a young, multilingual workforce. Foreign investments are protected by multilateral agreements, and numerous co-financing opportunities with international institutions are now accessible even to small and medium-sized enterprises.

  • Strategic position in the Mediterranean
  • Favorable bilateral treaties and collaborations
  • Developed banking and legal system

Tax and Logistical Advantages

One of the main reasons for investing in Tunisia are the numerous tax incentives, including partial tax exemption on returns for the first few years and tax breaks for companies investing in strategic sectors such as energy, IT, and tourism. Industrial parks offer centralized services and cutting-edge technologies that facilitate production and export to major Western markets.

From a logistical point of view, the well-connected port network with Europe and Africa, 9 special free zones, and efficient transport make Tunisia advantageous for companies wishing to reduce shipping times and costs. The proximity to Italy – less than 1.5 hours by flight – represents a further competitive advantage for internationalization.

In the last year alone, new freight railway lines, investments in sustainable logistics and smart ports have been inaugurated, with significant state incentives for the most innovative logistics operators.

  1. Tax breaks up to 100% in the first 5 years
  2. SEZs: Special Economic Zones for foreign investors
  3. Rapid transport and high-capacity ports

The growing sectors for those who want to invest in Tunisia

Tunisian money, currency of Tunisia, dinars, banknotes.

In the Tunisian landscape, the most promising sectors for those who want to invest are undoubtedly renewable energies (solar, wind), the export-oriented agri-food sector, advanced manufacturing industry, experiential and digital tourism, and the Tech Startups sector. According to official sources, numerous Italian-Tunisian co-investment programs are underway in 2025.

Green energy is supported by national laws that facilitate the installation of wind farms, photovoltaic plants, and energy efficiency projects. The export of agricultural products, dates, and olive oil is strengthening with new routes and innovation in the supply chains. Manufacturing appears to be oriented towards automotive, electronics, and quality textiles, with research and development centers shared between universities and companies.

New digital investors find a highly competitive environment also thanks to the startup ecosystem, dedicated accelerators, public and private funds, and simplification of the procedure for obtaining work permits.

  • Renewable energies: solar, wind, biomass
  • Agri-food for export
  • Digital Startups and FinTech
  • Experiential and medical tourism
  • Automotive and electronics industry

Overview of startups and digital innovation

In the ICT sector, Tunisia has distinguished itself with new digital companies, international hackathons, and strong university collaborations. European and ITA funds favor the entry of young foreign talents and the scalability of the best local ideas.

  1. 26 active incubators nationwide
  2. Digital platforms for crowdfunding and Fintech growth
  3. Start-up Act: one of the best legal regimes for African startups

Tools and incentives for those who invest in Tunisia

One of the main missions of the Tunisian government is to attract foreign investment by supporting growth through administrative simplification policies, start-up cost facilities, and public-private co-financing programs.

International investors can access the Development Fund, subsidized loans from the IMF and EIB, and commercial partnerships with local operators through mixed chambers and annual forums dedicated to investment.

Public calls for proposals are also accessible in Italian and English, so as to facilitate access to incentives and speed up procedures and concessions.

  • Investment Fund for Innovation and Sustainability
  • Tax incentives, non-repayable grants
  • Funded training courses for technical personnel

The challenges and risks for those who invest in Tunisia

Investing in Tunisia, however, remains a choice to be planned with care: despite recent growth, there are still critical issues related to bureaucracy, political instability, and currency exchange risks. Accurate due diligence and knowledge of local partners are essential.

Although the Tunisian judicial system offers protections to foreign investors, it is advisable to be assisted by legal and tax consultants who are experts in local regulations. Fluctuations in the dinar and election periods can affect medium-term planning.

Transparency in operations and the preventive assessment of regional markets are key steps to contain organizational and financial risks.

  1. Rely on consultants and joint ventures
  2. Study the updated 2025 regulations
  3. Always verify business partners

Strategies and practical advice for entering the Tunisian market

Before investing in Tunisia, it is suggested to plan site visits, meet local promotion agencies, and evaluate the opportunities offered by fairs and international events (such as Investment Africa 2025). Another important step is the initiation of collaborations with universities and research centers for joint training and innovation activities.

The choice of reliable partners and the establishment of joint ventures help to overcome cultural and administrative barriers. Investors who focus on sustainability and digitalization find greater facilities than in other sectors.

Finally, to remain competitive, it is necessary to constantly update on regulations, incentives, staff training, and global trends, taking advantage of institutional reports and the support of Italian-Tunisian chambers of commerce.

  • Initiate territorial partnerships
  • Participate in international forums and fairs
  • Map innovative and sustainable sectors


Frequently Asked Questions about investing in Tunisia

What are the most profitable sectors?
Renewable energies, manufacturing, digital, tourism, and agri-food are the sectors with the highest growth and incentives for foreign investors.
Are there risks in investing in Tunisia?
Like any emerging country, in-depth analyses of political and legal stability are required, but Tunisia offers a framework protected by treaties and stable incentives.
What state incentives are available?
Tax exemptions, non-repayable grants, public contributions, funded courses, free zones, innovation calls, and tax breaks in key sectors.
What is needed to start a business?
Establishment of a local company, reliable partners, legal consultant, and registration with the Chambers of Commerce. Administrative facilities for start-ups and SMEs.

Investing in Tunisia in 2025 is the ideal opportunity to seize new opportunities in growing sectors, take advantage of competitive tax and logistical advantages, and contribute to the development of a strategic destination for European and Mediterranean business.

Share:

Book your ferry to Tunis.

Servizio traghetti a cura di Traghettilines

Other Interesting Contents: