As the Islamic Republic of Mauritania embarks on a significant economic evolution, balancing its traditional strengths with ambitious new frontiers, Mauritania Portal offers comprehensive insights and guidance for investors seeking to engage with this dynamic market.
Mauritania is proactively shaping its future, focusing on attracting foreign direct investment through an improved regulatory environment and a clear vision for key sectors. Investment opportunities are abundant across the entire value chain, from energy exploration and generation to mining, industrial development, and critical infrastructure projects.
Join us as we unveil the potential of a nation positioned as a vital nexus between Africa, Europe and Americas offering strategic access to burgeoning regional and global markets.
The economy is driven by the primary sector (agriculture, fisheries) at 18.7%, industry (including mining at 18.9%) at 30.6%, and services at 43.8%. Manufacturing contributes a mere 6% to GDP, indicating significant room for industrial growth.
Mauritania has seen improvements with a narrowing budget deficit (2.3% of GDP in 2023) and easing inflation (around 5% in 2023). Public debt is on a downward trend, leading to a reclassification of debt distress risk from high to moderate in 2023.
Mauritania is undergoing a profound energy transition, developing its significant offshore natural gas resources while simultaneously positioning itself as a future global leader in green hydrogen production.
Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) Project: This flagship LNG project, straddling Mauritania and Senegal and operated by BP and Kosmos Energy, commenced Phase 1 production in late 2023. It is expected to produce 2.3 to 2.7 MTPA of LNG. Mauritania anticipates approximately $500 million annually from this project between 2024 and 2051.
Bir Allah Field: An even larger gas discovery entirely within Mauritanian waters, with reserve estimates ranging from 50-80 Tcf. The government is actively seeking partners for its development for both export and domestic use, potentially feeding into an expanded GTA facility.
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Gas-to-Power: Plans are underway for new privately-funded gas-fired power plants, such as a 230-250 MW facility in N'Diago, to utilize domestic gas, fuel industrialization, and ensure universal energy access.
Learn More About Electricity
Mauritania possesses exceptional renewable energy resources, positioning it as a potential global leader in clean energy production.
Average wave heights of 2-3 meters could generate about 3 terawatt-hours per year.
Consistent offshore winds averaging 7-9 meters per second present an estimated potential of around 5 terawatt-hours per year.
With over 3,000 hours of sunshine annually, Mauritania has the capacity to produce approximately 10 terawatt-hours of solar energy per year.
Wind Energy Potential
Offshore Wind Energy Potential
Solar Energy Potential
National Ambition: Mauritania aims to become a major player in the hydrogen industry by 2040, capturing up to 1.5% of the global hydrogen market and 1% of the global green steel market by 2050.
Pioneering Legislation: The Green Hydrogen Code (adopted October 2024) establishes a dedicated legal framework with substantial tax incentives (VAT and corporate tax exemptions) and creates the Mauritanian Agency for Green Hydrogen (AMHV).
$40 billion investment for 30 GW of wind/solar to produce 1.7 million tonnes/year of green hydrogen.
Up to 10 GW electrolysis capacity, with a first phase targeting 150,000 tonnes/year H2 for green steel and export.
$34 billion complex with 10 GW electricity for green hydrogen, operations targeted for 2028.
1 GW green hydrogen project supported by dedicated solar and wind farms.
Plans for 60 GW solar/wind and 35 GW electrolysis capacity.
Strategic Importance: Green hydrogen is linked to domestic industrialization, particularly green steel production, economic diversification, and job creation.
Learn More About Green Hydrogen
Historically the bedrock of the Mauritanian economy, the mining sector contributes significantly to GDP (18.9% - 24%) and export earnings (up to 76.3%). It is now pursuing expansion, modernization, and crucial value-addition strategies.
SNIM (Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière): Africa's second-largest iron ore exporter, state-controlled, and a major contributor to GDP (approx. 9% in 2023) and government revenue.
Expansion & Value Addition: Ambitious plans to significantly increase production (towards 40 MTPA) and develop iron ore pelletizing plants to meet evolving global steel industry needs.
One of Africa's largest gold mines, undergoing expansion (Tasiast 24k project) to increase throughput to 24,000 t/d and extend mine life to 2033. Includes a 34 MW solar plant for site power.
Produces copper and significant gold by-product. FY2024 production: 17,792 tonnes of copper and 31,478 ounces of gold.
Increasing production, with substantial estimated reserves (around 6 billion tonnes).
Known deposits with estimated reserves of 250 million tonnes.
Significant potential, with the Tiris project (Aura Energy) targeting commercial production in 2027.
Exploration & Diversification: Potential for diamonds, rare earth elements (REEs), lead, zinc, and others. The World Bank's DREAM project supports enhancing geological surveys to promote critical mineral potential.
Learn More About Minerals
The plan to utilize domestic natural gas and, crucially, green hydrogen to produce Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) and "green steel" from Mauritania's iron ore reserves represents a paradigm shift towards high-value industrial products.
Mauritania is strategically focused on developing a more diversified industrial base beyond primary extraction, leveraging its new energy resources and natural endowments.
A vital sector with untapped potential.
Drivers: Accelerating urbanization, government infrastructure initiatives (roads, ports, energy), and anticipated revenues from oil and gas are expected to fuel growth. Growing demand for construction materials.
Current Status: Small, contributing ~6% to GDP, largely fish processing and agro-food.
Future Vision: Development of a robust manufacturing base is crucial, with plans increasingly linked to emerging energy resources like natural gas and green hydrogen.
Incentives & Focus: Established to attract FDI, offering tax/customs incentives, streamlined procedures, and developed land for fisheries, logistics (new deep-water port and airport planned), and general industry.
Addressing infrastructure deficits and modernizing existing systems are critical to realizing Mauritania's economic ambitions, particularly in energy and logistics.
Generation: Shifting from reliance on imported fuels to incorporating domestic natural gas (GTA project) and a growing share of renewables (solar, wind). New power projects, including gas-to-power plants (e.g., 230-250 MW N'Diago plant), will be privately funded IPP schemes.
Transmission and Distribution (SOMELEC): The state utility SOMELEC is undergoing restructuring (new Electricity Law 2022) to improve efficiency and open generation to IPPs. Significant investment is needed to modernize the grid, reduce losses (currently ~35%), improve reliability, and integrate intermittent renewables.
Actively pursuing links to enhance energy security and trade. Key projects include the Mauritania-Mali 225kV Interconnection (part of Desert to Power, with 600 MW transfer capacity and new solar plants) and potential links to North Africa.
Aiming for universal access by 2030 ("Mission 300 Energy Compact") from current rates of 48-57% (with rural access at only 5-6%). Strategies include mini-grids and leveraging regional interconnections.
Strategic Importance: Expansion and modernization of port facilities, especially the deep-water port in Nouadhibou (within the NFTZ), are crucial for handling increased trade in minerals, LNG, future hydrogen products, and processed goods.
Mauritania Portal invites you to delve deeper into the transformative investment opportunities across our dynamic sectors. Partner with us as we build a future of sustainable prosperity and shared success.
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