In the first half of 2026, French exports increased by 10.2% to Tunisia and 10.3% to Libya year on year. While the two growth rates are almost identical, they reflect two very different economic realities: Tunisia is deeply integrated into European industrial value chains, while Libya is entering a phase marked by reconstruction, infrastructure needs and renewed investment opportunities.

The simultaneous rebound in French exports to the two North African markets stands out against the broader evolution of France’s foreign trade. According to France’s Directorate General of the Treasury, French exports of goods increased by 1.8% in the first half of 2026, reaching €320.2 billion. Against this backdrop, the double-digit growth recorded in Tunisia and Libya is particularly notable.

Tunisia: an established industrial partnership

Tunisia remains one of France’s long-standing economic partners in North Africa. Bilateral trade in goods reached €8.9 billion in 2025, representing an annual increase of 5.4%. France remains a major trading partner, while Tunisia is closely connected to European supply chains, particularly in manufacturing and components.

The structure of bilateral trade is strongly influenced by industrial integration. French companies are present in manufacturing, electrical and mechanical equipment, business services, transport and other sectors linked to European production networks.

This industrial dimension helps explain the 10.2% increase in French exports during the first half of 2026. The performance comes on top of an already substantial economic relationship, involving not only trade but also investment and industrial partnerships.

Tunisia’s own exports have also maintained a positive trajectory. During the first quarter of 2026, Tunisian goods exports reached TND 16.3 billion, up 6.1% year on year. Electrical machinery and equipment increased by 15.2%, reaching TND 4.6 billion, while fats, oils and waxes rose by 33.8% to TND 2.1 billion.

The figures underline the importance of Tunisia’s industrial base for French companies supplying equipment, components, technologies and services.

Libya: a market driven by development needs

The Libyan case is structurally different. French exports to Libya increased by 10.3% in the first half of 2026, following a particularly strong performance in 2025.

According to the French Treasury, French exports to Libya rose by 49.8% in 2025, reaching €448 million. Bilateral trade in goods increased by 12.8% over the year.

The sectors offering potential opportunities are closely linked to Libya’s development requirements: energy, electricity, water, sanitation, construction, transport, infrastructure and industrial equipment.

The renewed commercial activity is also reflected in the presence of French companies and business missions. In September 2026, Business France accompanied a delegation of 17 French companies to eastern Libya, where discussions focused notably on electricity, infrastructure and water-related projects.

The evolution of French exports therefore reflects not only a recovery in bilateral trade, but also renewed efforts by French companies to position themselves in a market with significant infrastructure and modernization needs.

Two markets, two commercial models

The almost identical export growth rates — 10.2% for Tunisia and 10.3% for Libya — should not obscure the fundamentally different structures of the two markets.

In Tunisia, French companies operate within an established industrial ecosystem. The country is integrated into European production chains, with established manufacturing capacities and long-standing business relationships.

In Libya, opportunities are more closely connected to infrastructure development, energy, reconstruction and modernization. The commercial approach therefore involves different requirements in terms of financing, partnerships, project development and risk management.

This distinction is important for French SMEs and mid-sized companies assessing their international expansion strategies.

A stronger North African dimension

The simultaneous acceleration of French exports to Tunisia and Libya comes at a time when France is seeking to maintain and diversify its international commercial presence.

At the regional level, the first-half figures show a clear contrast with the beginning of the year. At the end of April 2026, French trade with Tunisia had increased by 7.7%, while trade with Libya had declined by 38.5% year on year. By the end of May, the respective trends were +5.4% for Tunisia and -32.1% for Libya. The subsequent first-half figures therefore indicate a significant acceleration in French exports to both markets, particularly in the Libyan case.

For French companies, the two markets consequently offer different commercial configurations. Tunisia represents an established industrial and supply-chain relationship, while Libya is characterized by emerging opportunities linked to infrastructure, energy and development projects.

The +10.2% increase in exports to Tunisia and +10.3% increase to Libya in the first half of 2026 thus mark a renewed momentum in France’s commercial relations with two neighboring North African economies — despite their very different economic structures and business environments.