Behind Al Madina

Commercial Broker in the Middle East
Three years before Al Madina came to life, the two founders met in Europe, between Belgium and Germany, while both were already pursuing their own successful careers.

At that time, one of the founders was active in marketing and consulting and was responsible for establishing multiple sales offices across Germany. The other was active in hospitality, international development, and tourism-related collaborations, including partnerships with travel agencies and providers of experience-based travel.

Combining their expertise in strategy and operational execution, they founded a German-based marketing company, which quickly expanded into advising German, Belgian, and Italian companies on their business development in the Arab region. Within just a few months, this led to the establishment of Karthago, a Dubai-based commercial brokerage company.

Through Karthago, the founders represented European manufacturers in the GCC market, specialising in premium interior architecture, solid surface materials, bespoke kitchens, bathroom concepts, and façade solutions.

Working with established partners from Germany, Belgium, and Italy, they connected European manufacturers with architects, developers, and distributors across the Middle East while participating in international trade fairs, including exhibitions in Saudi Arabia.

One of our German partners, with whom we attended a trade show in Riyadh in 2024, did the cladding of the mineral composite facade at the King Abdulaziz Center in Dahran.
Al Madina, traditional Riad
During this phase of international activity, continuous movement between Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa gradually brought Tunisia into focus – initially through personal visits, and later through deeper professional exposure.

A decisive turning point came in the city of Bizerte in northern Tunisia, where a professional opportunity led to the discovery of a traditional riad in the Medina. The property had originally been built as a guesthouse but had remained closed for approximately eight years due to operational, logistical, and administrative challenges.

In this context, the decision was made within one week to take over the property and bring it back into operation.

In the final phase before opening, both founders relocated to Tunisia. The preparation included full cleaning, operational setup, and the restoration of the technical infrastructure.

Despite these conditions, the property was successfully prepared and opened within just three weeks of physical renovations. A team of 7 people, long days and short nights, countless water damages and unexpected challanges later, the 15th of May 2025 marked the beginning of Al Madina.
Al Madina Riad Groupe
Within just one year, the group expanded from its original Al Madina Traditional Riad into a growing portfolio of six properties in the old Medina of Bizerte.

This includes boutique accommodations, long-term rental properties, private residences, and additional real estate projects – all connected by the same vision of preserving the character of the Medina while creating unique spaces for guests, residents, and investors.

Among these developments is a unique restoration project: a 500-year-old Ottoman hammam, which is being transformed into a new wellness concept in partnership with investors and is planned to open in winter 2026.

Through the opportunities discovered in hospitality, real estate, and investment, the vision of Al Madina has grown beyond the Medina of Bizerte.

With three owned properties in southern Tunisia and a new hospitality and investment project planned for 2027, the journey continues towards creating unique destinations while exploring the growing potential of Tunisia’s market.
Al Madina Riad Groupe
Through our own projects and daily involvement on the ground, we quickly developed a deep understanding of how the market works, how to navigate its challenges, and where the real opportunities can be found.

This experience showed us that Tunisia offers significant and often underestimated potential. The market may appear complex at first, but with the right local knowledge, reliable partners, and a clear understanding of the environment, many opportunities become accessible.

Compared to many established markets, Tunisia allows entrepreneurs and investors to create remarkable projects with relatively efficient budgets while maintaining strong potential for growth and value creation.

Today, we share this experience with international entrepreneurs and investors who are looking to explore opportunities in Tunisia.

Having built our own structures, developed projects across different regions, and experienced the process from the investor’s perspective, we understand both the challenges and the possibilities. Our goal is to provide practical guidance, local expertise, and reliable support for those who want to build, invest, or expand in Tunisia.