Industrial Sector in Tunisia: New Opportunities and Challenges Revealed
The Agency for the Promotion of Industry and Innovation (APII) organized a seminar on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Mövenpick Lac 1 Hotel, to present the results of a strategic study conducted in partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and under the auspices of the Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy. The event aimed to highlight new industrial opportunities and the professional profiles associated with them.
Participants and Objectives
The seminar brought together prominent figures, including Félix Sarrazin, Project Manager for the Partnership for Employment and Support to Tunisian SMEs at GIZ, and Aslan Ben Rjeb, President of the CONECT, alongside numerous actors from the Tunisian industrial sector.
Decline of the Manufacturing Industry
The study reveals a significant decline in the contribution of the manufacturing industry (MI) to Tunisia's GDP, from 18% in 2007 to 14% in 2020. This decrease is attributed to both global factors, such as the trend of deindustrialization, and structural elements specific to the Tunisian model: strong dependence on the European market, loss of market share, slowdown in investments, and the economic consequences of the 2011 revolution.
A Glimmer of Hope
However, a slight recovery was recorded in 2022, with a maintenance of 15% in 2023, suggesting potential for the sector's revitalization.
Strategic Objectives
The presented study outlines three grand strategic objectives for the horizon of 2035:
- Increase the share of the manufacturing industry in the national GDP: from 15% to 20%.
- Accelerate manufacturing exports: from $12.15 billion to $36 billion.
- Create more qualified jobs: with a growth target of 540,000 to 840,000 jobs in the sector.
These objectives aim to revitalize the Tunisian industrial sector and unlock its full potential.
