After strife following the fall of dictator Muammer Ghadaffi 15 years ago, the Benghazi-based General Command is inviting international investors to be ‘partners in the building of modern Libya’, Mahmoud Elforjani tells African Business.
Where does Libya stand today economically, politically, and from a security perspective?
We have concluded the recovery phase and have actively embarked on a phase of developmental ascent. Libya possesses the fiscal solvency necessary to transform its vision into reality. We are now channelling our investments toward developing infrastructure that will serve future generations and build a diversified economy that does not rely solely on oil.
Our work centres on the principle that development is the driving force for national unity, creating common ground that transcends institutional differences.
The General Command of the Libyan Armed Forces works to support stability through dialogue and reconciliation domestically, and through diplomatic engagement abroad.
We rely on this leadership to consolidate security and protect development zones, guided by the motto: “no development without security”.
This process is not only decisive for Libya’s rise but also carries broader implications for regional stability across neighbouring countries and Europe.
How do you assess Libya’s investment attractiveness at this stage?
Libya’s investment proposition today goes beyond merely high returns; its core strength lies in its strategic geoeconomic position as the gateway between Africa and Europe.
Investors are entering a market undergoing structural reconstruction, offering untapped opportunities and major national projects aligned with long-term development goals.
For international partners, this represents a chance for early strategic positioning within an evolving ecosystem of logistics, energy, and trade – sectors that will define regional connectivity over the coming decade.
How does the National Development Agency support and de-risk investments for regional and international partners?
The National Development Agency (NDA) operates as the central executive platform for Libya’s priority national projects, functioning according to internationally recognised governance and delivery standards.
For investors, this translates into regulatory clarity, streamlined decision-making chains, and the presence of a single, authorised institutional partner.
The Agency oversees flagship initiatives such as the “SSS International Road”, designed as a continental economic artery linking the Mediterranean coast to the African depth, and the development of the Sirte Free Zone as a regional logistics hub.
Our role is to de-risk execution, accelerate delivery timelines, and convert strategic directives into bankable, investable projects.
Which sectors offer the strongest near-term opportunities?
Near-term opportunities are concentrated in cross-border logistics infrastructure, the modernisation of the energy sector – including renewables – and strategic agriculture aimed at achieving food security.
Projects falling under the NDA’s mandate are classified as critical national assets, benefiting from enhanced state protection and guarantees of continuity.
The underlying principle is clear: economic stability is a strategic national objective that supersedes political cycles, providing investors with a more resilient and robust framework.
What developments in Libya are currently under-reported or misrepresented in local and international media?
International coverage often focuses narrowly on political challenges, overlooking the pace of achievement on the ground. We invite the media to come to Libya to hear the “noise of development” in every region, city, and street.
Hundreds of infrastructure and public service projects have already been completed, leading to tangible improvements in daily life and economic activity.
There is also only hesitant recognition of Libya’s role in addressing illegal migration pressures on Europe through development and job creation. The more accurate narrative is one of institutional will, accelerated execution, and long-term state-building through infrastructure.
Who are Libya’s key partners today in investment, trade, and strategic sectors such as oil and gas?
Libya continues to work with established international partners across various fields, while actively expanding its engagement with sovereign wealth funds, global infrastructure developers, and institutions capable of executing large-scale public-private partnerships (PPPs) aligned with Libya’s Vision 2030.
As I stated during my address at the Ambition Africa 2025 conference in Paris: “We are not looking for contractors; we are looking for true partners to contribute to building modern Libya.”
These partnerships are rooted in a shared understanding that sustainable development in Libya contributes directly to broader economic stability in Africa and the Mediterranean basin.
Our message from Libya to Davos is clear: Libya is no longer waiting for the future; we have already begun building it. We are offering not just investment opportunities, but a partnership in crafting a new regional economic order.
The developmental momentum led by the NDA today is a tangible reality on the ground. We are transforming our unique geographic location into the largest logistical bridge between continents, and building infrastructure that ensures global trade flows and energy security for Europe and the world.
We invite leaders and investors who possess courage and vision not merely to watch Libya’s transformation, but to be part of this success story.
We provide a protected environment, robust institutions, and a solid national will that transcends traditional challenges. Libya is the next engine of growth for the Mediterranean and Africa, and now is the time to invest in this engine.
_______________________
