Tunisia Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in tunisia, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Construction, Architecture and Engineering Services
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Overview

The government aims to modernize infrastructure, with construction and development plans forming the backbone of its economic growth strategy.  Development priorities include roads, public transport systems, and aviation infrastructure to improve connectivity, facilitate trade, and enhance quality of life for citizens. These efforts are part of broader national strategies, such as the National Road Infrastructure Strategy and the modernization of Tunis-Carthage International Airport, which aim to position Tunisia as a regional hub for transportation and logistics.

U.S. vendors of heavy equipment and technology may find business opportunities in construction projects for hospitals, highways, port terminals, and bridges being executed by Tunisian or foreign contractors.  Partnering with Tunisian enterprises is often vital to competing successfully in this sector.

Opportunities

U.S. companies could pursue participation in major infrastructure projects by selling engineering and/or design services, heavy equipment, new technology, highly specialized building materials, and safety and security systems. Key competitors include Italian and Turkish companies that already closely linked with Tunisian construction firms.  Likewise, major Chinese firms have expressed interest in Tunisia’s PPP project opportunities and have won public procurements.  

A small handful of major infrastructure projects have been announced in recent years, and more are planned for launch between 2026-2030. An expansion and modernization of Tunis-Carthage International Airport is one such planned project and is key to Tunisia’s global connectivity aspirations.  The airport currently serves as a critical hub for international and domestic travel, but its capacity is strained by growing passenger demand. The government plans to construct a new terminal adjacent to the existing facility, followed by modernization of the existing terminal. Covering approximately 19.75 acres, the new terminal is expected to handle 8 million passengers annually, bringing the airport’s total capacity to 13 million passengers per year. This expansion is designed to meet the needs of the growing tourism sector, facilitate international trade, and improve the overall travel experience. The project is part of a broader initiative to modernize aviation infrastructure, which also includes the rehabilitation of domestic airports in the country’s interior regions and modernization of its air navigation systems. These efforts aim to boost regional connectivity, support economic development in underserved areas, and attract foreign investment in the aviation sector.

The National Road Infrastructure Strategy, with an estimated cost of $12 billion through 2035, presents potential opportunities for U.S. companies to engage in large-scale road construction projects.  The ongoing Tunis-Jelma highway project, launched in 2022 at a cost of $590 million, is expected to be completed by Q1-2027.  Future projects include the construction of 390 km of new highways, including the Bousselem-Algerian border highway (75 km), the Kef highway extension (115 km), and the Jelma/Kasserine and Jelma/Sidi Bouzid/Gafsa highways (200 km); the government is seeking funding sources for these projects. U.S. firms can contribute to these projects by providing engineering services, heavy equipment, and sustainable construction materials.  Additionally, the planned expansion of the express road network to 2,000 km and the overall road network to 20,000 km by 2035 provides opportunities for expertise in road design, construction, and maintenance. The government’s annual allocation of $104 million for road upkeep also offers long-term opportunities for companies specializing in maintenance technologies and systems.

One of Tunisia’s largest potential development projects is a planned greenfield deep-water port in Enfidha, along the central Tunisian coastline. The Tunisian government designated a 3,000-hectare area as a future industrial zone to transform the region into an international logistical transportation hub served by highway and railroad systems.  The port site itself will require extensive dredging, and its proposed location on wetlands requires Ministry of Environment consultations and collaboration. Initial feasibility studies were undertaken for developing the port, through a project worth over $1 billion, to handle as much as 4.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) per year.  As of September 2025, the project remained unfunded, however, and there was no timeline for a tender process. The government remains interested in identifying partners and financing for this project. 

As of September 2025, the Tunisian Office of Merchant Marines and Ports (OMMP) was  conducting a Ports Master Plan 2040 study to examine modernizing port infrastructure, improving governance, and enhancing security across Tunisia’s eight commercial ports.  The study is scheduled to conclude by 2026. Key components include developing smart, green, and blue ports; implementing energy transition projects with the financial support of the African Development Bank; and launching dredging operations with international expertise. Current efforts focus on maintenance, acquiring new equipment, and digitizing port traffic management, while future plans aim to position Tunisian ports as a logistical hub for maritime trade, which accounts for 80% of the country’s commerce. Upcoming tenders and PPP projects offer opportunities for U.S. companies, including green hydrogen projects, quay extensions, and port-specific upgrades in Rades, Bizerte, Gabes, and Zarzis.

Another priority project is the Aghlabid Medical City, a $386-million project covering 552 hectares in Kairouan.  Plans include specialized medical facilities, a university campus, and a smart city; the project is anticipated to create 42,000 jobs. Positioned as a cornerstone of national economic diversification and regional development efforts, the project aims to attract foreign patients and medical professionals. For U.S. businesses, it offers opportunities in design and architecture, urban planning, sustainable building materials, advanced healthcare technology, and smart city infrastructure.  Feasibility and planning studies are currently underway, and the government is actively seeking partners and financing options for this project. 
 

Resources

Ministry of Equipment and Habitat
Ministry of Transportation
Online Public Procurement Unit (TUNEPS)
Office of Merchant Marine and Ports (OMMP)
Office of Civil Aviation and Airports (OACA)
 

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