Libya Offers Direct Investment in Tunisia’s Airport Infrastructure

Tunis, Tunisia – Libya has expressed its readiness to invest directly in the development of Tunisia’s airport infrastructure. Mahmoud Al-Farjani, Director General of the Libyan National Development Authority (LNDA), announced that his organization is prepared to participate in the development of Tunis-Carthage International Airport as part of a long-term investment partnership with the Tunisian government.

Strategic Context: High Traveler Volume

Speaking at the Libyan-French Economic Summit on Investment and Development, held in Sirte on September 10–11, Al-Farjani highlighted the significant volume of Libyan travelers visiting Tunisia. He estimated that over 3 million Libyans travel to Tunisia annually, primarily for medical tourism, leisure, and transit purposes.

“We are ready to enter the project as a direct investment with the Tunisian government,” Al-Farjani stated, specifically referencing the development of the Tunis-Carthage airport.

Two Proposed Investment Options

The Libyan official outlined two potential pathways for this collaboration:

1. Modernization of Existing Infrastructure: Participating in the modernization of the current Tunis-Carthage International Airport through a long-term investment framework.
2. Construction of a New Airport: Building a new airport on a different site within the Tunisian capital, contingent upon the decisions made by Tunisian authorities.

Expertise and Financial Capacity

To substantiate this proposal, Al-Farjani emphasized the LNDA’s extensive experience and resources. He noted that the authority possesses both the technical expertise and the financial capacity required to execute such large-scale projects, supported by international partners.

Furthermore, he highlighted the integration of European technologies in the infrastructure developed by the LNDA, specifically citing the use of French equipment in airport-related systems.

A Shared Strategic Interest

For Libya, the initiative extends beyond mere financial investment. Al-Farjani framed the development of Tunisian infrastructure as a mutual interest, given the critical importance of economic relations and passenger flows between the two neighboring countries. This approach underscores a broader strategy to strengthen bilateral ties through shared infrastructure development.