Mauritania Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in mauritania, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Distribution and Sales Channels
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Fifty percent of Mauritania’s imported goods enter via the ports of Nouakchott or Nouadhibou. From there, they are trucked to wholesalers, distributors, and retailers who distribute them directly to end users. Large wholesalers, especially those involved in the leading family conglomerates that dominate much of Mauritania’s economy, account for the majority of the country’s import trade. Agents operating on commission deal mainly in electronic components or heavy machinery and spare parts.

Most goods are retailed through small shops, boutiques, or by vendors in the sprawling open-air markets prominent in Nouakchott and other towns. The informal sector remains robust, involved in everything from the sale of livestock and vehicles to spare parts, used clothing, and vegetables. Medium-sized stores and small supermarkets are increasingly common, especially in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou.

Using an Agent or Distributor

Using a distributor is not legally required, although using a local agent is required in the fisheries, agriculture, and telecommunication sectors. Increasing numbers of local businesspeople express interest in representing U.S. companies. Commercial agents are found in many sectors, including, but not limited to new and used vehicles, fisheries, heavy equipment, oil products distribution, oil and mining exploration, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, telecommunications, and electronic tools. In general, these agents have a written contract, and they negotiate sales and purchases on behalf of producers, manufacturers, and dealers. The distributor operates independently and is only bound by the written provisions of the distribution agreement. Either party may terminate a distribution agreement of specified duration at the end of the contract period without prior notification.
Visiting the country is necessary to find a suitable agent or distributor. It is recommended that U.S. businesses travel to Mauritania to meet face-to-face with potential operators in the sector of interest. It is important to establish the reputability of an agent or distributor before signing an agreement. Maintaining good contact with the government and having influence within the local business community and civil society will help a business succeed in Mauritania. 

Establishing an Office

To establish a local office, a foreign investor must first visit the Directorate for Private Sector Development at the Ministry of Economy (APIM). There, an investor submits a proposal for their investment project and obtains information about the necessary documents to file, as well as steps to undertake in order to obtain an Investment Certificate. The Investment Certificate is required to be legally established in Mauritania and is important for all administrative procedures during the life of the project. 

In addition to the Ministry of Economy, investors need to contact the ministry relevant to their business. APIM and the Mauritanian Chamber of Commerce offer assistance and advice to those wishing to establish an office in Mauritania. The Employers’ Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Mauritanian Information Center for Technical and Economic Development maintain lists of business groups and/or individuals and other information useful to companies wishing to do business in Mauritania. Finally, the U.S.-Mauritania Business Council is an organization that promotes trade and investment between the United States and Mauritania and is a good reference for any U.S. investor or company looking to open an office in Mauritania.

Franchising 

Franchising laws and regulations remain limited in Mauritania. However, prominent businesspeople have expressed a desire to franchise brands from the United States. Note: Currently Mauritania does have international franchisees – mainly European – in the food industry (Paul, Second Cup) and retail (Celio, Zippy, Fatal, Parfois).  

Direct Marketing  

Direct marketing is on the rise in Mauritania. There are increasingly popular new sources of spreading information to the public, mainly through the internet and mobile technologies. E-commerce and other online websites are also used to advertise products. Graphic billboards on major thoroughfares and roadside banners are an important form of advertising. 

There are few qualified advertising agencies in Mauritania, although the number of billboards is increasing rapidly in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, as they are a relatively inexpensive means of advertising. Radio and TV are occasionally used for advertising, but they are quite expensive. While events such as tradeshows and exhibitions are limited in Mauritania, they are popular when they occur. A great deal of information also passes by word of mouth.

Some marketing companies:

Joint Ventures/Licensing 

To establish a joint venture, foreign investors and their local partners must create a commercial company and register it in Mauritania. The government requires that any person who wants to create a new joint venture company do this through a notarial office. There are several notaries in Nouakchott who specialize in the creation of new companies. Foreign investors and their local partners must prepare the following documents and have them notarized: the contract establishing the creation of the joint venture, the rules and procedures of a constituent assembly, and the regulations and articles of the new company.

The existing joint ventures in Mauritania are primarily with companies from other Arab countries and are in the mining, fishing, telecommunications, and banking sectors. However, businesses in many sectors are seeking to expand such ventures with a wide array of foreign partners, including companies from the United States. The government offers a wide range of incentives to foreign investors, including tax breaks, unlimited transfers of funds, and access to land.

Express Delivery 

The following list of companies provides express delivery services in Mauritania: 

  • FedEx
    Bp 351, Nouakchott
    Contact Information: 
    + (222) 45 25 27 40 or (+222) 45 25 39 03
     
  • DHL International (Mauritania) Ltd
    Avenue Mamadou Konate
    ILot A, 639
    P.O. Box 1996
    Nouakchott
     
  • EMS
    BP. 1238 – NOUAKCHOTT
    Contact Information:
    (+222) 45 25 37 70 & (+222) 45 25 16 49
    ems.mauritanie@laposte.net
     
  • TNT
    BP. 2116 – NOUAKCHOTT
    Contact Information: 
    (+222) 45 25 83 63 (+222) 45 25 44 60 
    ouldabdelaziz95@yahoo.com
     
  • UNIVERSAL EXPRESS
    BP. 3611 – NOUAKCHOTT
    Contact Information: 
    (+222) 45 25 33 18 & 45 25 19 46 (+222) 45 25 54 94 
    amar@mauritel.mr
     
  • UPS  
    23. Ave Bourguiba
    BP 40031
    Nouakchott, Mauritania
    Tel.: +222 4529 28 89
    Fax: +222 4525 56 56
    aziziabdallahi@ups.com or aziziabdallahi@yahoo.fr
     
  • Nex Worldwide 
     

Due Diligence 

It is essential for companies to perform due diligence on potential business partners, agents, and/or distributors.
For the latest Investment Climate Statement (ICS), which includes information on investment and business environments in foreign economies pertinent to establishing and operating an office and to hiring employees, visit the U.S. Department of State’s Investment Climate Statements website.

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