The Future of Libyan Industry Starts at Home
Libya has a great potential for manufacturing industries. There is an opportunity to produce more of what the country needs locally, as the demand for construction materials, consumer goods and industrial products continue to grow. This has become a very important part of my approach to business and investment.
I started my business journey in Benghazi in 2008, and my work was mainly related to the trading of automotive parts. Those early activities grew to become Alushibe Holding Group over the years with businesses across manufacturing, engineering, healthcare, retail and other sectors.
As our businesses grew, so did our ambitions. We started considering more closely opportunities to develop production facilities in Libya, work with international partners and bring new technology and expertise into the country.
Today, some of our biggest investments are in steel, cement, and food and beverage manufacturing. They all serve a different market but they are all linked by our belief that Libya can make more at home.
One of the projects I am involved in is Tosyali-SULB, a joint venture between Turkish steel producer Tosyali and Libya United Steel Company. As chairman of the joint venture, I have been closely monitoring the development of our new iron production complex at Ras Al-Mangar, east of Benghazi. The project is intended to reach an annual production capacity of up to 8.1 million tons of direct reduced iron. The first phase will employ MIDREX Flex technology, which will enable the company to start up with natural gas, but still have the possibility to switch to more hydrogen later.
That is a substantial investment, but what most fascinates me is what it can do for Libya. To build a facility of this size you need engineers, technicians, contractors, transport providers and many other businesses. It gives local companies a chance to collaborate with international partners and Libyan workers the opportunity to acquire valuable industrial experience.
Another example of investing in the existing industrial capacity of the country is our work in cement manufacturing. Libyan Cement Company's production facilities are recovering from being non-operational for years. One such project is the rehabilitation of a production line in Benghazi that has been closed since 2014. Restoring this facility will enable us to make better use of existing infrastructure and increase the supply of cement produced locally for construction and development projects.
We are also investing in industries that are part of our daily lives. Zulfa Food Industries is building a manufacturing plant in Benghazi and is working with Tetra Pak to bring modern processing and packaging technology. The company will concentrate on the dairy products, juices and other drinks for the Libyan market.
I have always been convinced that international cooperation can play an important role in the development of the Libyan industries. Working with established companies
provides us with access to technology and knowledge that can help local businesses grow and become more competitive.
At the same time, I think it is important that these investments provide opportunities for Libyan workers, suppliers and businesses.
My work was recently highlighted in the Libya Investment Monitor, along with other entrepreneurs who are contributing to the development of the private sector in Libya. Thank you for the recognition.
The most important part of this work is to see these projects become businesses that can produce, employ people and contribute to the economy for many years to come. Libya has the people, resources and potential to build a much stronger manufacturing sector. I want to continue to invest in that potential with Alushibe Holding Group and our industrial partnerships, and to help build businesses that Libyans can be proud of.
Ahmed Alushibe. Libyan Businessman
Founder & Chairman
Alushibe Holding Group
References:
1.Alushibe News. (2026, October 9). Alushibe News Insights: Steel & Industry Analysis. Alushibenews.Com. https://www.alushibenews.com/insights
2.Libyan Cement Company. Libyan Cement Company. https://www.lcc.ly/
3.Monitor, L. I. (2026, September 30). Libya’s entrepreneurs: Six business leaders building the private economy. Libya Investment Monitor. https://libyainvestmentmonitor.com/libyas-entrepreneurs
4.Monitor, L. I. (2026, October 8). Ahmed Gadalla: Alushibe, Tosyalı-SULB and Libya’s industrial growth. Libya Investment Monitor. https://libyainvestmentmonitor.com/ahmed-gadalla
5.Tosyali Sulb. Tosyali Sulb. https://www.tosyalisulb.com.ly/
6.Tosyali Sulb awards order to Midrex and SMS group for DRI Complex - Midrex Technologies, Inc. (2026, September 14). Midrex. https://www.midrex.com/press-releases/tosyali-sulb-awards-order-to-midrex-and-sms-group-for-dri-complex/
7.Zulfa Food Industries — Coming soon. https://www.zulfa.ly/site-access?redirect=%2F