Tunisian phosphates: US offers over $1.5 million to attract private investment

The United States has introduced a new funding opportunity aimed at stimulating private investment in Tunisia's phosphate sector. This initiative, which includes a grant ranging from $1 million to $1.53 million, also seeks to strengthen mineral processing, trade connections, and Tunisia's export capabilities.

“

The goal is to support transparent, private sector-led investment in the development of phosphate in Tunisia.

The program, titled "Safeguarding U.S. Critical Minerals Supply Chains – Tunisia," was announced on August 4, 2026, via the official US government platform Grants.gov. The US Embassy in Tunis and the State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs are overseeing the call for applications. A single cooperation agreement is expected to be awarded, with a duration of 18 to 24 months for implementation.

According to the official documentation, the initiative's core objective is to foster transparent, private sector-led investment in Tunisia's phosphate development. It aims to optimize downstream mineral processing activities to meet international standards and enhance trade and investment relations between Tunisia and reliable partners. The stated goal by US authorities is to contribute to Tunisia's economic growth and bolster its export capacity.

“

The program intends to contribute to the optimization of downstream mineral processing activities, to align them with international standards, while strengthening trade and investment relations between Tunisia and partners considered reliable.

It is important to clarify that the US has not yet disbursed the $1.53 million; this figure represents the maximum budget for the cooperation agreement to be granted after the application process concludes. The minimum award amount is $1 million. The call for applications does not mandate any co-financing or equivalent financial contribution from the recipient. Eligible applicants include for-profit and non-profit US or US-aligned companies and organizations, think tanks, civil society groups, and public and private educational institutions, as well as public international organizations and governmental institutions.

“

The stated objective by the US authorities is thus to contribute to the economic development of Tunisia and the strengthening of its export capacities.