Tunisia's mega projects
From a high-speed Tunis–Sfax line to a deep-water port at Enfidha and the first HVDC submarine cable to Europe — here is the timeline of the flagship projects reshaping Tunisia over the next decade.
- Financing#1 · Transport
TGV Tunis – Sousse – Sfax High-Speed Rail
Tunis to Sfax in under 90 minutes.
Flagship of the 2026–2030 Development Plan: a 350 km high-speed line connecting the capital to the Sahel and the south, designed to cut the Tunis–Sfax journey from 4h to under 90 minutes and free the conventional network for freight.
RegionTunis · Sousse · SfaxBudget≈ $4.5 BTimeline2026 → 2032Project timeline
- 2026Feasibility update and international tender launch
- 2027Financing close (AfDB, EIB, Gulf funds)
- 2028Civil works start on the Tunis–Sousse segment
- 2032Commercial service Tunis ⇄ Sfax
- Financing#2 · Ports
Enfidha Deep-Water Port
Tunisia's gateway to global maritime trade.
A new deep-water container port between Sousse and Hammamet, designed to handle the biggest post-Panamax vessels and position Tunisia as a Mediterranean trans-shipment hub alongside Tanger Med and Piraeus.
RegionSousse GovernorateBudget≈ $2.8 BTimeline2026 → 2031Project timeline
- 2026PPP framework approved, operator pre-qualification
- 2027Final concession award
- 2028Breakwater and quay construction begins
- 2031Phase 1 operational — 1.5 M TEU capacity
- Under construction#3 · Transport
Tunis–Carthage Airport Expansion
From 6 to 14 million passengers per year.
Full modernisation of Terminal 1, a new pier, expanded apron and rebuilt runway taxiways to lift capacity to ~14 M pax/year, including a dedicated low-cost concourse and direct rail link to downtown Tunis.
RegionGreater TunisBudget≈ $900 MTimeline2026 → 2030Project timeline
- 2026Terminal 1 modernisation works underway
- 2027New pier and apron extension delivered
- 2029Rail link to TGM/RFR commissioned
- 2030Full capacity reached
- Under construction#4 · Energy
ELMED Tunisia–Italy Electricity Interconnector
First HVDC link between North Africa and the EU grid.
A 600 MW, 220 km submarine HVDC cable between Cap Bon (Tunisia) and Partanna (Sicily), co-developed by STEG and Terna with EU funding. Unlocks large-scale Tunisian solar exports to Europe and stabilises the national grid.
RegionCap Bon ⇄ SicilyBudget≈ €850 MTimeline2025 → 2028Project timeline
- 2025Converter station works start in Cap Bon
- 2026Subsea cable manufacturing (Prysmian)
- 2027Cable laying across the Sicilian Channel
- 2028Commissioning — first MW exported to Italy
- Planning#5 · Energy
TuNur Sahara Solar Export Project
Sahara sunshine powering European homes.
A multi-gigawatt concentrated and PV solar complex in the Tunisian Sahara, paired with HVDC export to Italy and Malta. Phase 1 targets 500 MW dedicated to domestic supply plus export through ELMED.
RegionKebili / SaharaBudget≈ €1.5 B (Phase 1)Timeline2027 → 2032Project timeline
- 2026Authorisations and grid studies finalised
- 2027EPC tender for Phase 1 (500 MW)
- 2029Construction start in Kebili
- 2032Phase 1 online
- Planning#6 · Urban
Tunis Financial Harbour
North Africa's first offshore financial centre.
A 523-hectare mixed-use waterfront district north of Tunis developed by GFH Financial Group, combining an offshore financial centre with residences, marina, hotels and a business park. Re-launch announced under the 2026–2030 Plan.
RegionRaoued · North TunisBudget≈ $3 BTimeline2026 → 2033Project timeline
- 2026Master plan revision and partner re-tender
- 2027Phase 1 infrastructure works
- 2030First office towers and marina delivered
- 2033Project completion
- Under construction#7 · Urban
Taparura Seafront Redevelopment (Sfax)
Reclaiming Sfax's coast after decades of pollution.
Decontamination and redevelopment of 420 hectares of reclaimed land along the Sfax seafront — new beaches, marina, parks, housing and a corniche — backed by EIB and AFD under the UfM's UPFI label.
RegionSfaxBudget≈ €600 MTimeline2026 → 2031Project timeline
- 2026Phosphogypsum site rehabilitation completed
- 2027Corniche and beach infrastructure works
- 2029First housing and hotel plots delivered
- 2031Full redevelopment online
- Under construction#8 · Transport
RFR Tunis Suburban Rail Network
Doubling Tunis suburban rail capacity.
An 86 km electrified suburban rail network linking downtown Tunis to Borj Cedria, Mohamedia–Fouchana and Manouba. Line E (Tunis–Borj Cedria) opens in phases; full network targets 2028.
RegionGreater TunisBudget≈ €1.2 BTimeline2018 → 2028Project timeline
- 2024Line E partial opening (Tunis – Bougatfa)
- 2026Extension to Erriadh / Ezzouhour
- 2027Line D (Manouba) commissioning
- 2028Full network in service
Sources: Présidence du Gouvernement (pm.gov.tn), La Presse de Tunisie, L'Économiste Maghrébin, European Investment Bank / UPFI, GFH Financial Group, ELMED (STEG/Terna). Figures are indicative and may evolve as projects progress.