The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group’s private-sector investment arm, is preparing to invest up to €52 million ($59.4 million) in German automotive supplier Marquardt GmbH, reinforcing Tunisia’s position as one of Africa’s leading automotive component manufacturing hubs despite a challenging economic environment.
The proposed investment, disclosed on July 6, is scheduled to go before the IFC’s board for approval on August 7.
If approved, the financing will support Marquardt’s expansion programme in Tunisia through factory upgrades, equipment purchases and working capital for its local subsidiary, Marquardt Automotive Tunisie S.a.r.l.
But the project is about far more than expanding one manufacturer’s production capacity.
According to IFC project documents, the investment is expected to deepen supply-chain linkages between Marquardt and Tunisian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), strengthen technical and managerial skills through partnerships with universities and vocational institutions, promote digital upskilling and reinforce Tunisia’s competitiveness as an advanced automotive manufacturing hub capable of attracting additional foreign direct investment.
