Libya has signed a strategic partnership with international firms to expand and develop the Misurata Free Zone, with Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah saying the project is expected to attract an estimated $2.7 billion in investment.
Deal Size and Projected Revenues
According to Dbeibah, the agreements are expected to help the project generate operating revenues estimated at around $500 million annually. In a statement posted on X, he described the plan as one designed to strengthen Libya’s port capacity and competitiveness through external capital and international participation.
Through his statement, Dbeibah tied the agreement to a broader approach to infrastructure development funded through external capital, stating: “This project not only enhances Libya’s position among the region’s largest ports in terms of size and capacity, but it also relies on direct foreign investment within a comprehensive international partnership.” He added that the partnership reflects the government’s commitment “to attracting productive external financing to stimulate the economy, modernize infrastructure, and transform state assets into platforms for sustainable returns.”
Partners and Signatories
The Misurata Free Zone signed the agreement with port operator Terminal Investment Limited, and is expected to support MFZ’s port in becoming “a competitive logistics hub between Africa, Europe and the Middle East.” The Doha-based international infrastructure investor, Maha Capital Partners, also signed the deal, and is to offer long-term capital and strategic oversight.
Dbeibah said this partnership also reflects the government’s commitment “to attracting productive external financing to stimulate the economy, modernize infrastructure, and transform state assets into platforms for sustainable returns.”
Capacity, Jobs, and Physical Footprint
According to Dbeibah, the project will create 8,400 direct jobs and around 60,000 indirect roles. He also said it would increase the terminal’s capacity to 4 million containers annually.
Ceremony and Stakeholder Messaging
The signing ceremony was held at the Misurata Free Zone facility and attended by Dbeibah, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, and Italy’s deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister Antonio Tajani. Separately, Muhsin Sigutri, the free zone’s chairman, said: “This partnership reflects Misurata’s determination to build modern, internationally competitive infrastructure that can unlock new industries, support local employment, and strengthen Libya’s position within regional and global supply chains.”
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