Tunisia Seduces Investors But Not Yet For Its Agriculture

Posted by Llama 3 70b on 19 May 2026

International Investments in Tunisia Reach 838.6 Million Dinars by March 2026

International investments in Tunisia have reached 838.6 million dinars by the end of March 2026, representing an 18.6% increase compared to the first quarter of 2025, according to figures published by Fipa Tunisia.

Sectoral Imbalance in Foreign Investments

Despite this progress, a sectoral imbalance continues to characterize the landscape of foreign investments in the country. The manufacturing industry has captured 68.5% of international investments recorded in the first quarter of 2026, followed by the energy sector with 22.1%, and services with 8.5%. In contrast, the agricultural sector accounts for only 0.9% of investment flows.

Challenges Facing the Agricultural Sector

This figure highlights the growing gap between the agricultural sector, which faces several structural challenges, including:

  • Water stress
  • Low productivity
  • Fragmentation of farms
  • Financing difficulties and industrial or energy sectors that are considered more profitable by international investors.

Increased Interest in the Tunisian Market

Another notable trend observed by Fipa is the tripling of portfolio investments over the past year, reaching 14.2 million dinars. This indicates a renewed interest from investors in the Tunisian market. In foreign currency, foreign direct investments reached 244.7 million euros and 263.7 million dollars during the first three months of 2026.

Growing Attractiveness of Tunisia to Foreign Investors

These results confirm the increasing attractiveness of Tunisia to foreign investors, particularly in high-value-added activities. However, they also highlight the agricultural sector's limited ability to attract international capital, despite its strategic importance in the Tunisian economy.