The 22nd edition of the Tunis Forum for Investment 2026 continues on Friday in the northern suburb of Tunis, with a session dedicated to the theme: “Tunisia, gateway to Africa”.
During his remarks, the Minister of Trade and Export Development, Samir Abid, stated that “Tunisia does not see itself only as a gateway to Africa, but as a true hub of exchanges, investment, production and flows between Africa and the rest of the world.”
A platform for exchanges and value chains
Samir Abid underscored that making Tunisia a gateway to Africa is not limited to connecting markets or facilitating the passage of goods.
According to him, it is also about making the country a meeting space between the countries of the two continents, in order to foster cooperation, investment and the construction of more integrated, more resilient and more competitive value chains.
The minister added that Africa represents, for Tunisia, “a strategic partner and a natural space for cooperation, investment and economic solidarity.”
African integration, a strategic necessity
Samir Abid also insisted that African economic integration is no longer a mere option, but a strategic necessity for the continent’s future.
He recalled that Tunisia is currently leading several structural initiatives, among which the project to create a continental land-based trade corridor. This project aims to strengthen trade flows, bring markets closer together and consolidate the economic interconnection between Tunisia and its African depth.
An session marked by strong economic participation
This session brought together several top officials and economic actors, including Michel Follaro, coordinator and board member of Internationalia, George Elombi, president of Afreximbank, Mohamed Sak, vice-president of the National Confederation of Employers of Senegal, and Youssef El Kardafani, executive director of the Center of Excellence for Inclusive African Markets.
Participants also included Anis Jaziri, president of the Tunisia Africa Business Council, Aslan Berjeb, president of the Confederation of Citizens’ Enterprises of Tunisia, Conect, as well as Nacef Belkhiria, president of the mixed chambers of commerce.
A major economic engagement
The Tunis Forum for Investment is a major economic event, which this year marks 27 years of efforts to promote investment in Tunisia.
The 2026 edition emphasizes strengthening the attractiveness of the Tunisian economy, notably through structural reforms and partnerships with the African Development Bank.
The forum brings together political decision-makers, international investors and experts, to debate the main orientations of the Development Plan 2026-2030.
In total, 1,200 participants representing 30 countries are taking part in this edition, with the aim of exploring investment opportunities in several promising sectors.
The ultimate goal is to consolidate Tunisia’s position as a strategic and competitive platform for investments oriented toward the African continent.
