Tunisian TGV Project Reaches New Milestone as SNCFT Launches Tender for Engineering Firms

The Tunisian high-speed rail (TGV) project has crossed a critical threshold. On August 18, the Tunisian National Railway Company (SNCFT) officially opened a competitive tender for Tunisian and international engineering firms to lead the project’s initial technical phase—comprising feasibility analyses and preliminary engineering studies that precede any large-scale construction.

The objective is clear: compile a shortlist of qualified consultancies capable of managing a railway infrastructure project of this scale and complexity.

Strict Deadline & Transparent Bidding Process

Bids must be submitted by September 24 at 11:00 AM at the SNCFT headquarters. After this deadline, no further applications will be accepted. Envelopes will be opened publicly just 15 minutes later, with interested bidders invited to witness the process in real time.

Route Approved Under National Development Plan

This initiative follows executive decisions made in February, when the government officially approved the railway’s route as part of the 2026–2030 five-year development plan. On paper, the line will span the entire country, from Bizerte in the north to Ben Guerdane in the south, strategically connecting major urban centers, port infrastructure, and logistics hubs.

Cross-Border Ambitions

The SNCFT’s vision extends well beyond Tunisia’s borders:

Westward: The line could connect to Annaba, Algeria, leveraging existing rail links through Tabarka, Nefza, Mateur, and Jdeida.
Eastward: The route would extend toward Ras Jedir, Libya, passing through Mareth and Médenine, with a dedicated spur to the port of Zarzis.

A Critical Phase for Project Viability

This study phase is pivotal. It will determine the project’s financial and technical feasibility before any construction commitments are made, serving as the foundation for all subsequent planning and funding negotiations.

A Catalyst for Investment and Entrepreneurship

Mega-infrastructure projects like this typically generate early opportunities long before tracks are laid. Engineering consultancies, advisory firms, and construction companies are already positioning themselves during the study phase. More broadly, a high-speed rail backbone connecting urban poles, ports, and logistics zones could, over time, reshape regional economic competitiveness—particularly in the historically underserved southern regions.

Key Uncertainties Remain

However, this potential hinges on two critical factors:

Securing financing commensurate with the project’s scale.
Strict adherence to the study timeline, which will ultimately determine whether the project gains the credibility needed to attract long-term investors and public confidence.

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