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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Investment Climate Statement (ICS) 
Last published date:

The U.S. Department of State’s Investment Climate Statements help U.S. companies make informed business decisions by providing up-to-date information on the investment climates of more than 170 countries and economies. They are prepared by our embassies and consulates around the world and analyze each economy’s openness to foreign investment. Topics include:

  • Openness to, and Restrictions upon, Foreign Investment,

  • Investment and Taxation Treaties,

  • Legal Regime,

  • Industrial Policies,

  • Protection of Property Rights,

  • Financial Sector,

  • State-owned Enterprises,

  • Corruption,

  • Labor Policies and Practices,

  • Political and Security Environment, and

  • U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and Other Investment Insurance or Development Finance Programs
     

Each statement provides a starting point for U.S. firms and offers a point of contact at the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.

These reports are also a resource for foreign governments to create business environments that ensure fair treatment for the United States and our companies and investors. 

To access the full Investment Climate Statement, visit the U.S. Department of State Investment Climate Statements website.


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - Mauritania

Mauritania seeks to position itself as a stable, resilient, and promising investment destination. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania welcomes foreign direct investment (FDI) and is seeking partnerships across key sectors such as:

  • mining,
  • energy,
  • agriculture, and
  • fishing.
     

Mauritania held presidential elections on June 29, 2024, resulting in the re-election of President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani for a second and final term. The administration has identified the following priorities:

  • economic diversification,
  • youth empowerment,
  • anti-corruption,
  • digital transformation, and
  • improved public services.
     

Mauritania’s economy maintained positive momentum in 2024, though overall GDP growth slowed to 4.4 percent, down from 6.5 percent in 2023 due to changes in the extractive sector. Some mines, particularly copper, neared the end of their productive cycles.

In contrast, non-extractive growth rose to 5.9 percent, supported by the expansion of financial services and mobile banking. Inflation remained relatively stable at approximately 1.5 percent between 2023 and 2024. Inflation is predicted to reach 3.5 percent in 2025, according to the Central Bank.

Mauritania has advanced legal and regulatory reforms to improve the investment climate, including:

a revised Investment Code in 2025, which aims to strengthen investor protections, simplify administrative procedures, and allow profit repatriation and international arbitration; and a new Public Private Partnership (PPP) Law in 2024, which introduced flexible bidding tools like “competitive dialogue” and negotiated contracts for strategic or emergency projects.

Additional reforms include:

laws modernizing the capital market, credit institutions, and the Central Bank; digitization of public procurement; and anti-corruption measures including the creation of a National Steering Committee and new whistleblower platforms.

Mauritania’s business environment continues to improve, though challenges remain. Investors benefit from a liberalized market, strong commitment to reform, and increased transparency. Strategic sectors continue to attract interest, with enhanced public-private collaboration and digital innovation paving the way for long-term growth. Key sectors include:

  • energy,
  • mining,
  • information and communications technology (ICT),
  • financial technology (fintech), and
    agriculture.
     

The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) natural gas project officially began production in December 2024, with first liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports in April 2025. The project, jointly developed with Senegal, is a major milestone in Mauritania’s energy ambitions. The undeveloped BirAllah field, estimated to contain 60–80 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, positions Mauritania to grow as a key gas producer. The government also introduced a regulatory framework for green hydrogen which will further support energy sector investment.

Digital transformation has accelerated under President Ghazouani. In 2024, the government launched Khidmaty , available as a mobile app, for all e-government services. Investors can use the portal to establish businesses, register for tax and social security, and apply for investment accreditation. The platform is integrated with the national digital identity system Houwiyeti and forms part of broader digital governance reforms. Visit the Mauritania Investment Climate Statement: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-investment-climate-statements/mauritania/ 

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