IFC weighs $59 million loan for Marquardt Tunisia automotive manufacturing expansion

International Finance Corporation (IFC) is set to support German automotive supplier Marquardt GmbH with up to €52 million ($59.42 million) in financing to expand its manufacturing operations in Tunisia, reinforcing the North African country’s position as a growing hub for advanced automotive production.

The proposed investment, disclosed on July 6, 2026, remains pending approval, with a board decision expected on August 7. It will fund capital expenditures, including equipment purchases and facility upgrades, and provide working capital for Marquardt Tunisia’s local subsidiary, Marquardt Automotive Tunisie S.a.r.l.

Strengthening Tunisia’s manufacturing base

The news comes about two years after the family-owned mechatronics specialist, Marquardt, opened a €50 million ($57 million) state-of-the-art plant in El Fejja, Tunisia, near the capital Tunis. 

Marquardt, a global supplier of mechatronic systems serving the automotive and electrical industries, has operated in Tunisia since 1991 as Marquardt Tunisia. Its local footprint includes three production facilities in the greater Tunis area, two in El Agba and one in the El Fejja NEOPARK industrial zone, employing approximately 2,000 workers, more than 60% of whom are women.

The expansion is expected to deepen Tunisia’s integration into global automotive supply chains, particularly as Marquardt Tunisia supplies components such as vehicle access systems, ignition technologies, and energy management solutions to leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Driving jobs, skills, and supply chain growth

IFC said the project is expected to boost value addition and job creation by scaling advanced manufacturing while strengthening linkages with domestic small and medium-sized enterprises.

The initiative also aims to enhance workforce capabilities through technical and managerial training, digital upskilling, and partnerships with universities and technical institutions, key factors in improving Tunisia’s competitiveness in high-value manufacturing.

In addition, the investment is designed to attract further foreign direct investment into Tunisia’s automotive sector by signaling confidence in the country’s industrial potential despite macroeconomic challenges.

IFC’s role and strategic support

Beyond financing, IFC’s involvement is expected to provide both financial and non-financial additionality. The institution is offering long-term funding that is not widely available in Tunisia’s local banking market, which aligns with the capital-intensive nature of automotive manufacturing.

It will also support Marquardt Tunisia in strengthening environmental and social standards, improving energy efficiency, and adopting greener production processes. IFC’s participation is seen as a confidence boost for other multinational investors and OEMs considering Tunisia as a manufacturing destination.

As Tunisia seeks to position itself as a competitive manufacturing hub linking Europe and Africa, investments such as Marquardt’s expansion could play a pivotal role in driving industrial growth, employment, and technological advancement in the region.