Tunisia Aims to Scale Belgian Investment as Bilateral Relations Target ‘Strategic’ Status
Tunisia is actively working to attract greater Belgian investment, a priority highlighted during a high-level meeting on Thursday, August 20, in Tunis between Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti and Belgium’s newly appointed ambassador, Jan De Pauw.
A Strong Foundation: Belgium’s Existing Footprint in Tunisia
The push for deeper economic ties comes as Belgium already maintains a robust commercial presence in the country. According to 2025 FIPA (Foreign Investment Promotion Agency) statistics cited by the Belgian Embassy, 222 Belgian-backed investments are currently active in Tunisia, supporting over 19,200 jobs. This positions Belgium among Tunisia’s top foreign investors by number of enterprises, employment generated, and foreign direct investment (FDI) volume.
Expanding Cooperation: From Industry to Emerging Sectors
Moving forward, Tunis aims to scale this existing footprint. During their discussions, Minister Nafti urged an increase in Belgian investment flows and deeper collaboration in sectors of mutual interest. He also emphasized the importance of scheduling more high-level bilateral visits to catalyze new cross-border projects.
This economic cooperation extends well beyond traditional industry. Tunisia-Belgium relations now span trade, higher education, culture, and tourism, with Tunisia welcoming approximately 100,000 Belgian visitors annually.
A key focus will be identifying high-potential sectors for future partnership. A Walloon economic mission is scheduled for Tunisia in December 2026, targeting priority areas such as:
- Water management
- Renewable energy
- Energy efficiency
- Energy storage
- Waste management & environmental sustainability
This roadmap signals where new public-private partnerships and green investments could take root.
Two-Way Mobility & Human Capital Development
Human mobility was another cornerstone of the dialogue. The Tunisian minister called for strengthened cooperation in “two-way” mobility, encompassing skills development, academic exchanges, and professional career pathways between the two nations.
According to the official statement, Ambassador De Pauw shared the vision of broadening cooperation and elevating bilateral relations to a “strategic partnership.”
The Next Chapter: Converting Presence into Growth
After more than seven decades of diplomatic ties, the objective is no longer just to maintain existing links. For Tunis, the challenge now lies in transforming Belgium’s already significant presence into tangible economic growth: more investments, scalable projects, and sustainable job creation. As both nations align on shared priorities, the Tunisia-Belgium economic corridor is poised for a new era of strategic collaboration.
