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🛒 تسوق الآنLibyan Businessman Nouri Abdessamad Salem Loses Control of Tunisie Sucre Sugar Factory
Libyan Businessman Nouri Abdessamad Salem Loses Control of Tunisie Sucre Sugar Factory
A Major Industrial Collapse in North Africa
Libyan businessman Nouri Abdessamad Salem has officially lost control of Tunisie Sucre, the sugar refining factory in Bizerte, Tunisia, after years of mounting debts and operational paralysis. The factory, which had been at a standstill since late 2022, accumulated losses estimated at tens of millions of euros since 2018. Despite a Tunisian court suspending debt recovery enforcement measures in August 2025, the company was unable to stabilize its financial position, marking one of the most significant industrial collapses involving a Libyan investor in North Africa this decade.
How Tunisie Sucre Reached the Breaking Point
Tunisie Sucre was founded in 2007 by Salem as a major sugar refining operation in northern Tunisia's Bizerte Economic Zone. At its peak, the facility represented a significant cross-border investment linking Libyan capital to Tunisian industry. However, the factory ceased production at the end of 2022, and financial losses began accumulating rapidly. By 2025, the company's debts had grown so severe that nearly a quarter of its capital — approximately 23.96% — was seized by creditors. A last-ditch effort to double the company's capital to 100 million euros failed to attract sufficient investment to reverse the decline.
Key Facts Behind the Collapse
- Tunisie Sucre was established in 2007 by Libyan investor Nouri Abdessamad Salem in Bizerte, Tunisia
- The factory has been completely inactive since the end of 2022, with no production for over three years
- Financial losses have accumulated to tens of millions of euros since 2018
- Approximately 23.96% of the company's capital was confiscated by creditors
- A Tunisian court suspended debt enforcement measures in August 2025, but the reprieve was insufficient
- An attempt to raise capital to 100 million euros failed to rescue the operation
The Human Cost of Industrial Failure
The collapse of Tunisie Sucre has left hundreds of workers in Bizerte without livelihoods, adding to Tunisia's already strained employment situation. Local economic analysts describe the factory's closure as a devastating blow to the Bizerte region, where the facility was one of the largest industrial employers. Workers and their families have borne the brunt of the shutdown, with no clear timeline for resolution or compensation. The failure also raises difficult questions about the viability of cross-border North African investments in an era of political and economic instability.
Why This Matters for Libya and Libyan Investors
The fall of Tunisie Sucre sends a stark warning to Libyan businessmen with investments across North Africa. Salem's case illustrates the risks that regional instability, currency fluctuations, and regulatory challenges pose to large-scale industrial ventures. For Libya's economy, where many entrepreneurs have sought opportunities in neighboring Tunisia, this collapse underscores the need for stronger due diligence, transparent governance, and diversified investment strategies. Libyan investors active in Tunisia, Egypt, and beyond will be watching closely as the legal and financial aftermath of this case unfolds in Tunisian courts.
What Comes Next for Salem and Tunisie Sucre
The road ahead remains uncertain. With creditors holding nearly a quarter of the company's capital and production halted for over three years, any recovery would require massive new investment and a complete restructuring of operations. For the Bizerte community, the hope is that a new buyer or partner can revive the facility and restore jobs. For Salem, this marks a significant setback in his business portfolio. The broader lesson for North African industrial investment is clear: even well-capitalized ventures can falter without stable operations, sound financial management, and favorable economic conditions. The coming months will determine whether Tunisie Sucre can be salvaged or whether it becomes a cautionary tale for cross-border investment in the region.
— LibyaPress / Economy Desk
