Tunisian Industry Shows Signs of Recovery
The Tunisian industry is exhibiting new signs of recovery. Industrial investments declared reached 754.6 million dinars (MD) by the end of April 2026, recording an 18% increase compared to the same period in 2025, according to the latest Bulletin of Conjoncture from the Agency for the Promotion of Industry and Innovation (APII).
Impact on Employment
This dynamic has also had an impact on employment. The declared industrial projects are expected to generate 12,934 new jobs, representing a 31.7% increase over one year, through 745 projects. Behind these overall figures, an evolution is emerging, with the recovery of industrial investment now relying on new drivers. This includes a surge in the agro-food industry, a renewed interest in certain manufacturing sectors, and increased attractiveness of regional development areas.
Agro-Food Industry Leads Investments
The agro-food industry occupies the first place in terms of declared industrial investments during the first four months of 2026. The sector recorded 312.9 MD in investments, representing a 59.7% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This acceleration confirms the growing importance of agro-food transformation in the Tunisian industrial ecosystem. It comes as companies seek to enhance the value of local agricultural production, develop processed products, and respond to opportunities offered by external markets. The agro-food industry is thus becoming one of the main drivers of industrial recovery, driven by projects related to transformation, conditioning, and valorization of local resources.
Mechanical and Electrical Industries
The mechanical and electrical industries rank second, with 217.5 MD in declared investments, recording a 9.6% growth. This sector maintains a strategic position in the Tunisian industry, particularly due to its integration into international value chains and its role in manufacturing activities with a high technological component. The diverse industries also show significant progress, totaling 128.5 MD in investments, representing a 90.4% increase over one year.
Regional Development Areas Attract More Projects
The investment dynamic is not limited to traditional industrial zones. Regional development areas (ZDR) have attracted 377.8 MD in declared investments, compared to 174.1 MD during the same period in 2025, representing a 117% increase. This evolution reflects a growing interest in establishing industrial projects in inland regions. However, it remains conditional on several factors, such as the availability of infrastructure, access to skills, the quality of support services, and the ability to ensure business continuity.
