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 Investment Climate Statements provide information on the business climates of more than 170 economies and are prepared by economic officers stationed in embassies and posts around the world.  They analyze a variety of economies that are or could be markets for U.S. businesses.

Topics include Openness to Investment, Legal and Regulatory systems, Dispute Resolution, Intellectual Property Rights, Transparency, Performance Requirements, State-Owned Enterprises, Responsible Business Conduct, and Corruption.

These statements highlight persistent barriers to further U.S. investment.  Addressing these barriers would expand high-quality, private sector-led investment in infrastructure, further women’s economic empowerment, and facilitate a healthy business environment for the digital economy.

Executive Summary

Mauritania, primarily a desert nation with a mere 0.5% of its vast 1.03 million square kilometers identified as arable, is showing resilience in recovering from the COVID-19 economic downturn. Despite global challenges spurred by Russia’s war against Ukraine, the combination of significant international support and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania’s (GIRM) rapid economic recovery strategy has reset the economic trajectory.  Prime Minister Bilal, on January 27, conveyed optimism about Mauritania’s economic future, highlighting their resource deposits, including the significant Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) natural gas field. Mauritania’s 2023 budget, approved by its National Assembly on December 29, 2022, allocates about $3 billion, marking a 3.03% growth from its 2022 counterpart.  This budget embodies President Ghazouani’s campaign pledge, “Taahoudaty”, emphasizing equitable and comprehensive economic and social development.

Furthermore, the anticipated GTA gas production start, set for early 2024, establishes Mauritania as a significant global and African regional energy player.  This production, combined with its renewable energy potential, positions Mauritania for a green hydrogen-based energy transition.  Mauritania’s geographic advantage, situated near Europe, becomes even more pivotal, particularly given Europe’s intent to diversify its gas sources post the Russia-Ukraine conflict.  The Bir Allah offshore gas project, a collaboration with British Petroleum and Kosmos Energy, further amplifies this potential.

Historically, while U.S. investments in Mauritania centered on hydrocarbons and mining, emerging sectors, such as agriculture, offer novel opportunities, especially as Mauritania endeavors to achieve food self-sufficiency.  U.S. imports from Mauritania in 2022 stood at $6.1 million, majorly consisting of seafood and fertilizer components.  With the country’s main exports in 2021 being iron ore, minerals, and seafood, Mauritania’s 2022-2024 economic forecast seems promising, supported by private consumption and investment surges. The World Bank’s report from June 21, 2022, projects a robust 6.5% GDP growth in 2023-2024, driven by increased public investment and the forthcoming GTA gas production.

To access the ICS for Mauritania, visit the U.S. Department of State’s Investment Climate Statement website. 

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Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

Limitations

As a beta product, the Chatbot is currently being tested and its responses may occasionally produce inaccurate or incomplete information. The Chatbot is trained to decline out of scope or inappropriate requests. The Chatbot’s knowledge is limited to the public information on the Export Solutions web pages of Trade.gov, which covers a wide range of topics on exporting. While it cannot provide responses specific to a company’s product or a specific foreign market, its reference pages will guide you to other relevant government resources and market research. Always double-check the Chatbot’s responses using the provided references or by visiting the Export Solutions web pages on Trade.gov. Do not use its responses as legal or professional advice. Inaccurate advice from the Chatbot would not be a defense to violating any export rules or regulations.

Privacy

The Chatbot does not collect information about users and does not use the contents of users’ chat history to learn new information. All feedback is anonymous. Please do not enter personally identifiable information (PII), sensitive, or proprietary information into the Chatbot. Your conversations will not be connected to other interactions or accounts with ITA. Conversations with the Chatbot may be reviewed to help ITA improve the tool and address harmful, illegal, or otherwise inappropriate questions.

Translation

The Chatbot supports a wide range of languages. Because the Chatbot is trained in English and responses are translated, you should verify the translation. For example, the Chatbot may have difficulty with acronyms, abbreviations, and nuances in a language other than English.

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