Tunisian Automotive Sector Seeks to Capitalize on Global Transformations
The Tunisian-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCITF) and the Tunisian Automotive Association (TAA) organized a conference on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Tunis, around the theme: "The Automotive Sector in the Face of Global Transformations, Challenges, Opportunities." The event brought together representatives from the Tunisian industrial ecosystem, including Khelil Chaibi, President of the CCITF, Myriam Elloumi, President of the TAA, and Imed Charfeddine, Vice President of the association.
Tunisian Automotive Sector: Key Figures
With over 280 companies and more than 100,000 direct jobs, the Tunisian automotive sector represents 7% of the country's industrial value-added and 4% of its GDP. In 2024, exports reached €3.1 billion, with an average annual growth rate of 16% since 2018. The majority of production is destined for international markets, particularly Germany (37%), France (21%), Romania (12%), and Italy (11%).
Adaptation and Change are the Key Words
According to Imed Charfeddine, change and adaptation are now the watchwords of the sector. He highlighted the drastic decline in demand in the European market, while new growth poles are emerging in Asia, led by China.
Tunisia's Transition to Advanced Technologies
With over 30 years of experience in component manufacturing, particularly in wiring, Tunisia is now transitioning to advanced technologies: embedded electronics, software, connectivity, and predictive maintenance. Several local companies have already started producing parts for electric vehicles and integrating testing benches or development centers.
Competitive Advantages
This dynamic is supported by a major asset: a pool of local skills, with over 8,000 engineers trained each year, high-performing university centers, and competitive labor costs.
Rapidly Evolving International Automotive Ecosystem
Charfeddine emphasized that the international automotive ecosystem is evolving rapidly. Chinese manufacturers can now produce a vehicle in 18 months, compared to 4-5 years for Europeans. The car is becoming a simplified technological object, composed mainly of a battery, software, and a chassis, a change that is disrupting the entire industrial chain.
Tunisia's Opportunities
Tunisia could benefit from this transformation. Major players like Leoni or Coficab have already set up their R&D centers in the country. Asian and American groups are also interested in setting up production sites in the country.
Paths to Accompany this Transformation
Several paths were discussed to accompany this transformation:
- Modernizing logistics infrastructure, particularly by creating a deep-water port.
- Improving internal connectivity through better highway coverage.
- Exploiting existing trade agreements with Europe and Africa.
- Accelerating the integration of Industry 4.0, via better synergy between universities and businesses.**
- And above all, raising awareness among public decision-makers to maintain the country's competitiveness in the face of new global mobility.**
EQUIP AUTO International Trade Show
The event was also an opportunity for Aurélie Jouve, Director of the EQUIP AUTO trade show, to present the contours of the 27th edition of the international trade show, scheduled to take place in Paris from October 14 to 18, 2025. This edition promises to be exceptional, with +85% of surface area already reserved, +32% of new exhibitors registered, 30 countries represented, including Tunisia, with several national pavilions (Spain, Poland, Turkey, Korea, China, Taiwan) and the expected presence of major leaders in the sector and new entrants in all fields.
CCITF and TAA Sign Cooperation Agreement
Finally, the conference was marked by the signing of a cooperation agreement between the CCITF and the TAA, sealing a common will to strengthen cooperation and exchanges between Tunisian and French economic actors.
