Tunisia’s Ministry of Transport has announced the launch of studies into a major railway project that would connect Tunisia with Libya and Algeria, signalling renewed interest in regional transport integration across North Africa.
The announcement came in response to a parliamentary question on the status of the Tunisian National Railway Company. The ministry said the operator has adopted a development programme running until 2028, aimed at improving the readiness of transport equipment, purchasing spare parts for the maintenance of locomotives and carriages, and upgrading maintenance centres across the country.
As part of the wider vision, the ministry revealed plans to secure the necessary funding for a preliminary study to establish a high-performance railway محور linking northern and southern Tunisia. The proposed axis would connect the national rail network to both the Algerian and Libyan borders, creating new corridors for passengers, goods and transit.
According to the ministry, the cost of the feasibility study is estimated at around 10 million Tunisian dinars. Tender documents to select a consortium of consulting firms have already been prepared and are currently under review, indicating that the project is moving beyond the conceptual stage.
The Tunisian authorities also highlighted a separate project to renew 190 kilometres of railway lines used for phosphate transport. This forms the first phase of a broader plan to rehabilitate the entire phosphate rail network, which extends over 606 kilometres and is vital to Tunisia’s export sector.
For Libya, the proposed railway connection could represent a strategic opportunity to enhance cross-border trade, facilitate passenger movement, and strengthen economic ties with neighbouring countries. Improved rail links are also seen as a way to support regional stability and diversify transport options beyond road networks.
In previous years, Algerian experts floated the idea of a high-speed rail line linking Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. The concept envisioned trains travelling at up to 300 kilometres per hour, starting in Oran, passing through Algiers and Annaba, crossing Tunisia, and then entering Libya via Tripoli before continuing to Benghazi.
While such ambitions remain long-term, Tunisia’s latest announcement suggests that regional rail connectivity, including links with Libya, is once again on the policy agenda.