The Salma Dialogue Business Forum officially opened its work in Dakar on February 3 and 4, 2026, bringing together public decision-makers, institutions and economic actors around the strategic issues of South-South and triangular cooperation, in an African context marked by the acceleration of industrialization and regional integration policies.

On this occasion, the Tunisian Automotive Association (TAA) is participating in this leading economic event as part of a high-level Tunisian delegation, alongside Senegalese and African officials committed to the continent's industrial transformation. The forum is being held in the presence of Dr. Serigne Gueye Diop , Minister of Industry and Trade of Senegal, as well as several government and institutional representatives.

The Tunisian delegation is composed of:

• Mr. Wael Chouchane , Secretary of State to the Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy

• Mr. Fethi Sahlaoui , Director General of Manufacturing Industries – MIME

• Ms. Ichraf Smadhi , Director General of International Cooperation – MIME

• Mr. Mourad Ben Hassine , Director General of CEPEX

• Mr. Rachid Saidani , Ambassador of Tunisia to Senegal

As part of the forum, the TAA also participates in the panel entitled
“Sustainable industrialization: structuring African value chains for better global integration” , dedicated to the levers of competitiveness, regional integration and the upgrading of African industrial ecosystems.

This panel brings together:

• Mr. Sabri Brahem , member of the Steering Committee – TAA

• Mr. Akrem Saadaoui , African Automotive and Mobility Association (AAAM)

• Mr. Allan Muhumuza , Secretariat for Technology and Innovation – Uganda

• Mr. Martin Birnecker , representative of the Volkswagen Group

The discussions, moderated by Mr. Ibrahim Debbache , highlighted the challenges related to sustainable industrialization, the structuring of competitive African value chains and the integration of Africa into global value chains.

The joint participation of the Tunisian and Senegalese governments, public institutions, and economic actors illustrates a shared vision aimed at:

• accelerate sustainable industrialization in Africa,

• strengthen regional integration,

• develop high value-added African value chains.

The members of the Steering Committee of the Tunisian Automotive Association (TAA) held their first strategic meeting of 2026 , marking the launch of a work cycle focused on consolidating the competitiveness of member companies and strengthening the international positioning of the Tunisian automotive sector .

This meeting allowed for the definition of strategic priorities for 2026 , with a clear focus on operational support for manufacturers . Discussions focused in particular on levers to support skills development , facilitate the integration of Tunisian companies into international value chains , and promote industrial innovation , especially in high value-added segments such as automotive components, electronics, and embedded software .

At the sectoral level, the work was carried out within the framework of the TAA-State-Partners sectoral pact , with the objective of strengthening the attractiveness of Tunisian industry and supporting sustainable growth in the sector. The key priorities identified for 2026 focus on:

• industrial attractiveness and competitiveness ,

• innovation, digitalization and industry 4.0 ,

• the transition to electrification and intelligent vehicles ,

• strengthening institutional dialogue in order to defend the strategic interests of the automotive sector.

The year 2026 also marks a symbolic milestone for the Tunisian Automotive Association , which celebrates ten years of commitment to industrial development. This new cycle is firmly rooted in a future-oriented approach, placing innovation, industrial performance, and international integration at the heart of the TAA's activities and the Tunisian automotive ecosystem.

The Tunisian Automotive Association (TAA) will participate, alongside the Cluster Mecatronic Tunisia , in the SENCON, SENENERGY and SENAUTO Expo 2026 trade shows, scheduled from February 5 to 7, 2026 in Dakar (Senegal) , within the Tunisian Pavilion .

This presence is part of a targeted B2B approach , aiming to position Tunisia as a competitive industrial and technological platform for investors, contractors and international partners interested in West Africa and the African continent.

The TAA will highlight Tunisian industrial capabilities in high value-added sectors:

• Mechatronics and industrial electronics

• Industrial engineering and subcontracting

• Automotive solutions and sustainable mobility

The objective is clear:
attract structuring industrial partnerships , facilitate investment opportunities , and encourage technological and commercial cooperation between Tunisian, African and international companies.

📍 Tunisian Pavilion
📌 Booth 6C30 – Hall A

This participation is supported by the Invest for Jobs program – Special Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition” , through the project “Partnerships for employment and support for SMEs in Tunisia II” , mandated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ Tunisia , under the supervision of the Tunisian Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy .

Through this action, the TAA consolidates its role as a facilitator of industrial deals , a strategic entry point to the Tunisian ecosystem , and an institutional partner for international players seeking reliable, competitive and sustainable industrial solutions in Africa .

The Tunisian Automotive Association (TAA) hosted a delegation from the Scherdel Group , an international industrial leader, for an exploratory visit focused on the Tunisian automotive ecosystem . The delegation was received by the President of the TAA, Ms. Myriam Elloumi , in a B2B dialogue aimed at identifying opportunities for industrial cooperation .

Organized in partnership with the Tunisian-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK Tunesien) , this meeting is part of a structured approach aimed at strengthening exchanges between international players and the Tunisian automotive ecosystem . On this occasion, the Tunisian Automotive Association (TAA) fully embraced its role as a sector leader , offering a comprehensive, factual, and strategic analysis of the automotive sector in Tunisia .

The discussions focused on key drivers of industrial attractiveness , including:

• the structuring of the Tunisian automotive ecosystem ,

• the available technical skills and know-how ,

• the industrial, technological and regulatory environment ,

• value chains and the positioning of the local industrial fabric in international supply chains.

This meeting confirms the role of the TAA as a platform for coordination, facilitation and networking between investors, international industrialists and national players, thus contributing to the promotion of Tunisia as a competitive automotive industrial hub .

Delegation of the SCHERDEL Group

• Ms. Saskia Metz, Group Advisor

• Mr. Maximilian Freiherr von Waldenfels, Advisor to the General Management

• Mr. José Pedro Rodrigues Lopes, Site Director

Institutional participants

• Mr. Felix Sarrazin, Project Manager – Partnerships for Employment and Support to SMEs – GIZ

• Mr. Ibrahim Debache, Vice-President – Tunisian AHK

• Mr. Dr. Makram Ben Hamida, Director of International – AHK Tunesien

• Ms. Mariem B., Project Manager, DEinternational – AHK Tunisian

• Ms. Fatma Kolsi, General Director – TAA

• Ms. Lamia Gharbi, Communications Director – TAA

About the SCHERDEL Group

A leading global industrial player, the SCHERDEL Group has been operating for over 130 years in high-value-added technological fields. The group employs 7,000 people and has 35 production and R&D sites worldwide, covering key expertise in forming, assembly, machine building, and industrial plant technologies .

COFICAB Tunisia has reached a major strategic milestone in its energy transition with the full commissioning of a 2.4 MWp rooftop photovoltaic power plant at its industrial site. This structuring investment positions COFICAB as a committed player in industrial decarbonization and energy efficiency in Tunisia , particularly in the automotive sector.

The solar power plant enables the annual production of approximately 3.9 GWh of renewable electricity , significantly reducing dependence on the national electricity grid and strengthening energy cost control. From an environmental perspective, this project helps avoid nearly 1,720 tonnes of CO₂ per year , equivalent to the carbon absorption capacity of more than 86,000 trees .

This project is fully aligned with COFICAB's energy and sustainable performance roadmap , improving the energy security, operational resilience, and long-term competitiveness of its industrial activities. It illustrates a concrete and measurable approach to the transition towards a more responsible industry.

COFICAB Tunisia expresses its gratitude to the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG) , the National Agency for Energy Conservation (ANME) and Spectra , for their effective collaboration, regulatory support and technical expertise throughout the engineering, implementation and commissioning phases of the project.

This achievement is perfectly consistent with COFICAB's short-term objective of reducing its carbon footprint by 42% by 2030 (Scopes 1 & 2) , confirming that industrial performance and environmental sustainability are now inseparable strategic levers .

The Tunisian Automotive Association (TAA) , in partnership with Ernst & Young (EY) , organised a professional meeting dedicated to the analysis of the 2026 Finance Law and its impacts on the automotive sector in Tunisia .

This event allowed for concrete and in-depth discussions on the new tax provisions , their operational implications for companies in the sector, as well as the specific challenges faced by automotive manufacturers .

The TAA extends its thanks to Faez Choyakh, EY Tax Partner , for the quality of his intervention , the clarity of his tax analyses and his availability during discussions with the members of the Association.

We also thank all participants for their active presence , relevant questions and engagement , which help to make these Meet'Ups valuable exchange spaces for the automotive ecosystem.

Through this type of initiative, the Tunisian Automotive Association reaffirms its mission: to support its members , anticipate regulatory developments , decipher tax frameworks and promote dialogue with key partners , in service of the development and competitiveness of the Tunisian automotive industry.

The Tunisian Automotive Association (TAA) announces the inauguration by Lear Corporation , a world leader in automotive technologies dedicated to seating and electronic systems, of a new industrial unit specializing in Thermal Comfort Systems in Menzel Bourguiba .

This new automotive plant in Tunisia is dedicated to the production of advanced seat thermal comfort technologies, integrating heating, ventilation, active cooling, lumbar support, massage functions, steering wheel heating, and presence detection. These solutions meet international standards for automotive safety , passenger comfort , and technological innovation .

The project represents an investment of approximately 100 million dinars for the construction component alone, on a 32,000 m² covered industrial site designed according to high standards of industrial performance , safety , and environmental protection . Ultimately, this unit will generate 4,500 direct jobs , strengthening Tunisia's attractiveness for foreign investment in the automotive industry .

With 255 sites in 37 countries and more than 173,700 employees , Lear Corporation confirms through this strategic investment Tunisia's positioning as a competitive automotive industrial hub integrated into global value chains .

CIPI ACTIA, a subsidiary of the ACTIA Group , has officially obtained the "CSR 26000 – Apave Certification" Label – Silver Level , following an in-depth evaluation process of its corporate social responsibility practices.

Awarded by Apave Certification (Apave Group) , this distinction attests to the maturity of CIPI ACTIA's CSR strategy and the concrete commitment of all its employees. The audit highlighted strong collective mobilization and the effective integration of social, environmental, and governance issues at the heart of the company's operations.

This label recognizes in particular CIPI ACTIA's ability to integrate sustainable development as a structuring lever of its growth model, by aligning its CSR commitments with measurable and verifiable actions.

By joining the network of companies with the CSR 26000 label, CIPI ACTIA confirms its commitment to transforming its commitments into tangible results , thus contributing to the promotion of responsible and sustainable practices within the industrial fabric.

This key step reinforces CIPI ACTIA's positioning as a committed and responsible player, focused on a sustainable future and creating long-term value.

COFICAB has been officially certified Top Employer 2026 by the Top Employers Institute , an international distinction that confirms the Group's long-term commitment to excellence in human resources practices and talent development worldwide.

This recognition highlights the strength of COFICAB's HR strategy, its corporate culture and its ability to offer a high-level employee experience in a demanding and competitive industrial environment.

For the 2026 edition, several entities within the Group stand out for the consistency of their performance:

• Tunisia and Morocco have obtained certification for the fourth consecutive year , illustrating the maturity and continuity of the HR policies put in place.

• China, Portugal, Serbia and Romania have achieved this distinction for the third consecutive year , confirming the alignment of the Group's HR standards internationally.

By joining the Top Employers community, COFICAB strengthens its ability to benchmark its HR practices against the best international standards, to consolidate its employer value proposition (EVP) and to continuously improve the engagement and development of its employees.

This certification further reinforces COFICAB Group's position as an Employer of Choice , driven by the involvement of its teams around the world and by a clear ambition: to be a benchmark in HR practices on a global scale.

The establishment of large industrial units in the interior regions of Tunisia constitutes a strong signal for national economic development, particularly when these investments are made by Tunisian companies.

In the Sbikha industrial zone, in the Kairouan governorate , the Tunisian company Cofat , a subsidiary of the Elloumi Group and a leading manufacturer of electrical systems for the automotive industry, officially inaugurated its new industrial site. This project, the largest ever undertaken in the region, is a major driver of territorial development and economic inclusion.

With its strong operational capacity , this new factory will directly benefit local managers and workers. Built in less than two years, this next-generation Tunisian factory is equipped with the most advanced industrial technologies and is dedicated to the production of electrical components for electric vehicles , destined for international automotive manufacturers and suppliers.

From its initial phase, the site is expected to generate nearly 2,000 direct jobs , confirming Tunisia's attractiveness as a competitive industrial platform in the automotive sector. Driven by recognized local skills, proven industrial expertise, and the capacity to integrate into global value chains, this project illustrates the potential for sustainable growth in the Tunisian automotive sector, despite a challenging economic environment.