Japan-Supported Water for 900,000 Lives: Sfax Seawater Desalination Plant in Tunisia Completed

The seawater desalination plant in Sfax, Tunisia, supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through yen loans, has been completed, and a completion ceremony was held locally on June 19, 2026.

This plant is a vital infrastructure project capable of supplying approximately 100,000 cubic meters of drinking water per day, supporting the daily lives of around 900,000 people. It stands as a symbolic project of Japan-Tunisia cooperation, delivering safe and reliable water to a region long plagued by chronic water shortages.

The completion ceremony was attended by JICA Board Member Yuko Mitsui, Tunisian Minister of Agriculture Cheikh, Governor Hajouri of Sfax Governorate, and General Director Mounaja of the Regional Water Authority, who expressed gratitude for Japan's support and expectations for future bilateral cooperation.

A moment during the tasting of water supplied by the plant.

A region receiving only a quarter of the world's average rainfall

Tunisia's southern half lies in a semi-arid zone, making water resource management a long-standing challenge.

The Sfax region receives an annual rainfall of about 230mm, less than a quarter of the global average (approximately 970mm). In recent years, scheduled water cuts, especially during summer, have become routine, significantly impacting citizens' daily lives and industrial activities.

To address this situation, JICA supported the construction of the seawater desalination plant through yen loans. The facility removes salt and impurities from seawater to produce freshwater suitable for drinking and other uses.

Key technologies from Japanese companies are integrated into the plant: Yokogawa Electric provides the control system, Yūshima Seisakusho supplies high-pressure pumps for seawater delivery, and Hitachi Energy contributes the electrical systems. These technologies ensure highly efficient and stable operations.

The seawater desalination plant supported by JICA through yen loans.

"The water pressure has increased" — Lives beginning to change

Since the plant's operation, summer water shortages have been largely resolved, significantly improving water quality and reducing water outages. The benefits extend beyond Sfax, contributing to alleviating water scarcity in other regions as well.

Kmari, a 14-year-old resident of the El Ain district in Sfax, shared her experience:

"Water cuts have decreased significantly, and I can feel the water pressure has increased. There are still some areas with issues, but knowing Japan is supporting us makes me feel very reassured."

Students from the El Ain district in Sfax.

The 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the future of Japan-Tunisia ties

JICA has also been conducting technical cooperation for leak detection and repair in Sfax. At the ceremony, Board Member Mitsui announced the launch of new technical cooperation this year to further improve urban water infrastructure through non-revenue water reduction, building on past achievements. She also personally visited the local leak detection team’s operational site alongside the ceremony.

2026 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Tunisia, a milestone year. With the upcoming FIFA World Cup match between Japan and Tunisia (June 21), rising interest in Japan among Tunisians made this completion ceremony a symbolic day strengthening bilateral ties.

As climate change intensifies water resource challenges worldwide, Japan’s expertise and technologies in water infrastructure offer solutions to global issues. JICA will continue to deepen Japan-Tunisia cooperation by addressing development challenges, particularly in the water sector.

The unveiling ceremony.