Mauritania business & investment guide

Editorial eBizguides Mauritania 1.0

Written by Nayra Delgado

nayra@globalgulfconsulting.es

GENERAL INFORMATION INTRO Introduction to Mauritania Blessed with large reserves of minerals (iron-ore, gold and copper) and natural resources (fish, oil & gas) and a strategic geographical location as the gateway between SubSaharan and Northern Africa, a natural path to the Sahel region, Mauritania welcomed 2019 with unprecedented changes in its politics and in its economy.

The political shift started in June, when general Mohamed Ould Cheikh Mohamed Ahmed Ould Ghazouani won the presidential elections in the first round by a tight absolute majority of 52 percent of the vote and a record voter turnout of 62,6 percent. It was the first democratic transition of power in Mauritania and marked a continuity from the past, against a long history of coup d´état.

Economically, the turn came suddenly, just two months after Ghazouani took office, but it felt like an explosion of hope. Long term hope. On the 28th of October 2019, in the maritime border with Senegal, British Petroleum and the American company Kosmos Energy announced the discovery of a large gas field.

The discovery, at the Orca-1 well, unveiled a reserve that could reach up to 50 trillion cubic feet of natural gas offshore Mauritania which stands for around one third of Algeria´s total reserves. Algeria is the fifth largest gas exporter of the world. But Mauritania´s 4,5 million population is insignificant compared to the 42 million of Algerians. In general terms, this means that Mauritania has at least 35 years of gas bonanza and hopefully, economic takeoff.

President Al Ghazouani, who took office in August 2019, was blessed not only with a presidential seat and political power but also with all the necessary funding to implement its political vision with confidence.

This desert vast country predominantly Muslim which had been one of the poorest countries of the world and a magnet for islamists, is now a safe country growing at over 6 percent in 2019 entering entered the list of the world’s top ten fastest growing economies.

Mauritania is considered both a part of of the Arab-Amazigh (Berber) populations of North Africa's Maghreb region which also includes including Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia and the peoples to the south of the Tropic of Cancer known as the Sudan which derives from the Arabic bilād al-sūdān or land of the backs. Mauritania is a geographic and cultural bridge between both. Most of the country´s population is concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country. At Independence, IN 1960, 90 percent of the country´s population was still nomadic.

MAP

COUNTRY SNAPSHOP OFFICIAL NAME Islamic Republic of Mauritania (Al-Jumhūriyyah al-Islāmiyyah al-Mūrītāniyyah in Arabic) INDEPENDENCE 28 November 1960 (from France) TOTAL AREA (SQ KM) 1,030,700 with 754 kms of coast line along the Atlantic Ocean FORM OF GOVERNMENT Presidential Republic Unicameral Parliament that consists of the National Assembly or Al Jamiya Al Wataniya with 157 seats. The senate was abolished in 2017.

HEAD OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT President: Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani (since August 2019)

Prime Minister: Mohamed Bilal (since August 2020) JUDICIAL BRANCH The highest court is the Supreme Court subdivided into 1 criminal and 2 civil chambers, each with a president and 5 counsellors.

LEGAL SYSTEM Mixed legal system of Islamic and French civil law ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS 15 regions (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott Nord, Nouakchott Ouest, Nouakchott Sud, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza LAST ELECTIONS: July 2019 POPULATION 4,403,313 (2019 est.)

POPULATION GROWTH RATE 2,74 percent, one of the highest in the world.

POPULATION DENSITY 3.9 inhabitants per square kilometer, one of the lowest of the world.

CLIMATE Desert; hot, dry, dusty URBAN-RURAL POPULATION Urban: (2018) 53.7% Rural: (2018) 46.3%

LIFE EXPECTANCY AT BIRTH Male: (2017) 61.1 years Female: (2017) 65.8 years EXTREME POVERTY Poverty headcount ratio at $1.90 a day 6 percent of the population POVERTY Multidimensional poverty 31% percent of the population

LITERACY Percentage of the population age 15 and over Male: (2015) 66.8% Female: (2015) 55.2% Only 55% of children aged 6 to 11 are enrolled in primary school, one third of households live in precarious housing, and only 38% of the population has access to electric lighting.

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 9.55 percent, a 0.08 percent increase from 2018. However, Mauritania has a large informal economy.

LANGUAGE Arabic (other languages are also considered official as Soninke, Wolof…) RELIGION Islam (other religions are allowed) MONETARY UNIT Ouguiya (UM) 1USD = approximately 38 MRU GDP USD 7.59 billion (2019). - from $ 2.3 billion in 2004 GDP GROWTH RATE 6,7 percent in 2019 GDP per capita USD 1,756 INTERNATIONAL RESERVES Rose from 3.6 months of imports in 2018 to 4.0 in 2019 INFLATION From 3 percent in 2018 to 2.2 percent in 2019 ECONOMY BREAKDOWN Services: 43 percent Industry: 30 percent Agriculture: 27 percent MAIN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS Dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn; cattle, camels and sheep.

MAIN INDUSTRIES Fish processing, oil & gas production and mining (iron ore, gold, copper) MAIN EXPORTS Minerals, fish and gold MAIN IMPORTS Food and machinery MAIN EXPORTING PARTNERS China, Switzerland, Spain MAIN IMPORTING PARTNERS China, France and Morocco CAPITAL Nouakchott, with a population of almost a million out of the 4.4 million inhabitants of the country. Nouadhibou is the second largest city in the country with barely 110,000 people.

COUNTRY CODE: +222 INTERNET TLD MR

CURIOSITIES

1. Mauritania had the first female minister of Africa.

2. Mauritania is the natural geographic and cultural bridge between the North Beber people and the South black population of Africa.

3. Mauritania has one of the lowest population densities in the world.

4. Mauritania´s economic growth in 2019 was one of the world’s top ten.

5. Mauritania has one of the richest fishing waters of the world and is one of the major world’s fish exporters 6. Mauritania´s territory doubles the Spanish or the French.

7. Mauritania houses the headquarters of the Sahel 5 Group.

8. Mauritania had last an islamic attack in 2010, creating an island of security from the region.

9. Mauritania´s desert eye is a huge and strange circle in the desert of 50 kilometres of diameter only possible to see from the sky 10. Mauritanians average age is 25.

NATIONAL SYMBOLS

In 2017 a referendum on the national symbols changed the anthem and the flag. The new anthem was composed by an Egyptian.

FLAG

Adopted in 2017 it has two red stripes flanking a green field that represent "the efforts and sacrifices that the people of Mauritania will keep consenting, to the price of their blood, to defend their territory", charged with a golden upward-pointed crescent and star.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

The national anthem of Mauritania (Arabic: ‫)نشيد وطني موريتاني‬, also known by its incipit "Bilada-l ubati-l hudati-l kiram” (English: Country of the Proud, Guiding Noblemen; French: Pays des fiers, nobles guides).

FIRST VERSE Land of the proud, the guided and the noble The fortress of the Book that can't be bound O Mauritania, the spring of harmony The corner of tolerance, the haven of peace CHORUS We will protect you with our lives and paint your hills with the color of hope When you call, "yes!" is our answer SECOND VERSE The crescent moons in your sky won't wane and the sun on your forehead won't set The noble Arabs enriched you and the purest source is Africa’s THIRD VERSE We drank the milk of dew and pride A nature that brought a good harvest and a fertile pasture, even when it's barren welcoming us as we ascend FOURTH VERSE We made your enemy drink a bitter downpour so he couldn't settle or rest We resist him wherever he goes

Praying "Surely with hardship comes ease" FITH VERSE (57th independence day) We followed the prophet along the path of the heavens to the tree of glory above the sky occupying The Pleiades as our stairway drawing our border there SIXTH VERSE We took you as a vow and carried you as a promise we happily give you up to the future generation FINAL CHORUS We will protect you with our lives and paint your hills with the color of hope We will protect you with our lives and paint your hills with the color of hope

COAT OF ARMS

The seal of Mauritania is based on the national flag adopted in 2017. It contains red, green, and gold emblems. The green symbolises Islam, the gold represents the sands of the Sahara and the red the bloodshed of the people that fought for independence. The crescent and star are also emblems of Islam. The edges read "Islamic Republic of Mauritania" in Arabic and French.

LOCATION

Mauritania is located in the Western Africa. It is bounded to the northwest by Western Sahara (formerly the Spanish Sahara) -1564 kms-, to the northeast by Algeria -460 kms-, to the east and southeast by Mali -2236 kms-, and to the southwest by Senegal -742 kms-.

TOTAL AREA 1,030,700 square kilometres

COASTLINE

754 km. Its Atlantic coastline, to the west, extends for 754 kms from the delta of the Sénégal River northward to Cape Nouâdhibou (Cape Blanc) Peninsula.

MARITIME CLAIMS

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm contiguous area: 24nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

GEOGRAPHY

Mauritania´s territory is immense and its immensity is exalted by its flatness and the shifting landscapes that dominate the view, all equally impressive, as it runs from the Atlantic Ocean to the heart of the desert. Its vast, arid plains and long white sandy beaches along the coast contrast with deep cliffs and inselbergs to the interior reaching 915 metre at mount Kediet ej Jill, an enormous block of hematite close to Zouîrât. The dunes cover about half of the total area of the country stretching out with the winds and reaching sometimes 90 metres high.

The desert or semidesert covers three quarters of Mauritania and is expanding due to severe droughts caused by climate change. Cropping and vegetation is found to the South and Southeast along the Sénégal River.

Most of the north is largely made up of the Sahara desert extending to the afrotropical area to the South and the South Saharan Steppe and Woodlands where regular precipitation permits extensive stock raising and agriculture. The West Sudanian Savanna lie at the southernmost part of the country and the wetlands expand along the coast from North to South and include the two main protected areas are the rich, shallow coastal and marine ecosystems of Banc d'Arguin National Park and the Diawling National Park which forms the northern part of the delta of the Senegal River.

The heartland of the country consists of the vast Adrar and Tagant plateaus in the Trab elHajra, “Country of Stone”. Adrar is the highest plateau with 500 meters high and at its feet can be found several oases that were transformed long ago in important trading centers during the Middle Ages such as Chingueṭṭi, Ouadâne, Tîchît, Tidjikdja, and Atar. To the north and the east extend the vast desert peneplains identified as the “Empty Quarter.” which is, surprisingly not only not empty but loaded with the iron-ore that makes Mauritania one of the leading exporters of the world.

CLIMATE

Hot and desert The climate owes its aridity to the northeastern trade winds, which blow constantly in the north and throughout most of the year in the rest of the country. These winds combined with the harmattan (hot, dry wind from the East) create the effect of dryness that characterised Mauritania.

With the exception of a few winter rains that occur mainly in summer, between June and October carrying very low precipitation levels. The temperatures are normally high ranging from the 30ºC to 40ºC in summer to 20ºC in winter.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Mauritania is a leading producer of iron ore, copper, gold, silver, oil and gas and a leading exporter of fish, due to its very rich fishing waters.

WILDLIFE

In Mauritania, men and animals still cohabit. Donkeys can be found everywhere in the city: as you go out of the bank or enter a supermarket. The same occurs with goats, which run satisfied and unworried along the city streets. Camels are found everywhere. They actually welcome you by the airport road.

Most of the larger mammal species are extinct in Mauritania although some still remain as the oryx or the gazelle. But the country´s waters and sky are amongst the richest of the world. The country boasts one of the richest fishing waters of the world with 600 species of fish identified The Mediterranean monk seal has one of its last strongholds in the coves along the Cap Blanc Peninsula near Nouadhibou.The rich offshore waters of Mauritania are home to a diverse fauna of cetaceans. Upwellings off the coats create rich feeding grounds for whales and dolphins.

Over 500 species of bird have been recorded in Mauritania which coastal wetlands attract over two million wintering Western Palearctic waders, from fifteen different species.

Around 86 species of reptile have been recorded in Mauritania, including the West African Crocodile that still exists in small numbers. Chameleons, snakes lizards and marine turtles are some of them.

As for vegetation, it depends on the area with the savanna baobab and palmyra palm trees. The Sahelian region of Mauritania boasts acacias and the port give way to the desert.

Vegetation is restricted to wadis, beneath which water continues to flow, or oases.

PEOPLE AND CULTURE

Mauritania has a population of 4,4 million people that live mostly in the cities (53 percent).

The country holds one of the highest population growth rates of the world as well as the lowest population density with 3,2 people per square kilometre. The country´s population is made up of very young people which for many, presents an opportunity. More than half of them (around 60%) are under the age of 25.

Ethnoculturally, the population is divided in "white Moors" or white Arabs - Bīḍān - in the North from a berber descent, "black Moors" who constitute less than one third of the country’s population, but dominate economically and politically. The Harratines, the largest group in the country, is made up of descendants of black Africans enslaved by the Bidhan mostly from Sudan and black Africans in the South, who are sub-Saharan ethnic groups that originate mainly in the Senegal river valley such as Halpulaar, Soninke and Wolof. These three social strata make up Mauritanian society today: 30% Arabs, 40% Harratines and 30% Blacks. Slavery was abolished in 1981 and in 2007 prison sentences of five to six years were introduced to punish any form of slavery.

Nomadic life was prevalent until the 80s although still exists and feels.Population movement was determined by the search for water and pasturage. The southern where more prone to settle than the northern inhabitants.

When Mauritania reached its independency, the Arab Berbers were the ones that signed the creation of the country and the settlement of its frontiers. It was artificially created to stop the expansionist ambitions of Morocco and as a channel of commerce for France and its colonies in Africa. Black africans, in the South and Berber Arabs, in the North, started fighting for the same political and economic power in a new united territory. In 1989, the ethnic conflict reached a violent level and the ruling Arabs responded with massive deportations and killings. The tension between the dominant arab-berber (Mauri) and the black minority has since subsided.

To avoid ethnic conflicts, since the times of Maaouya, the government has a quota for all ethnic groups and tribes in the main public institutions to balance power amongst the different origins.

LANGUAGE

Although Arabic is the official language, other languages as Fula, Soninke and Wolof are also recognised as national language. Moors speak Ḥassāniyyah Arabic, a dialect that draws vocabulary of both Arabic and Amazigh.

RELIGION

The official religion is Islam but the Islamic Republic of Mauritania guarantees freedom of conscience and religious liberty to all. Almost all Mauritanians are Sunni Muslim.

MAIN CITIES

Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania, is the main financial and political center of the country with most of the population living there (661,400 people). Nouadhibou, the economic heart at the North, comes second but at a large distance of Nouakchott with 72,337 people. Both cities are located on the Atlantic coast.

TYPE OF GOVERNMENT

Mauritania is a Republic. The president, elected by popular vote for a five-year term, is head of state and government and is assisted by the prime minister, whom he appoints.

Until 2017 Mauritania had a bicameral legislature made up of the Senate, the majority of whose members were elected by municipal leaders, and the National Assembly, whose members are elected by popular vote for five-year terms. In 2017, though, the Senate was abolished by a popular referendum, leaving the National Assembly as the sole chamber of the legislature.

From Independence in 1960 to the military coup d´état in 1978, Mauritania had a presidential regime. After that period, the country has mostly enjoy a military administration.

The new constitution, approved in 1991, established a multiparty system and a new bicameral legislative structure. In 2006 constitutional amendments were introduce limiting

the age of presidential candidates to 75, adjusting the presidential term and including a new legislative body. A new amendment was announced later changing the national symbols, limiting presidential terms to two for five years each and abolishing the senate.The country is divided into administrative regions, each of which is directed by a governor. The capital forms a separate district.

GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE

The government bureaucracy comprises traditional ministries, special agencies, and parastatal companies. The Ministry of Interior controls a system of regional governors and prefects modelled on the French system of local administration.

LIST OF MINISTRIES *****antonio.

POLITICAL PARTIES

Political parties were banned in Mauritania until 2005. The Democratic and Social Republican one party had dominated the political arena before. Since then signs of pluralism have showed over the years. The ruling party, the Union for the Republic (UPR) was created by the 2008 coup leader and later president Mohamed Abdel Aziz. In the past election, independent Biram Dah Abeid, leader of the IRA movement (Initiative pour la résurgence du mouvement abolitionniste), came second and Mohamed Ould Boubacar, backed by the Islamic Party, came in third-place.

BOX POLITICAL PARTIES

1. Action for Change (Action pour changement, APC) 2. Rally for Mauritania (Rassemblement Pour la Mauritanie, RPM-TEMAM) 3. Alliance for Justice and Democracy/Movement for Renewal (Alliance pour la Justice et la Démocratie/Mouvement pour la Rénovation, AJD/MR) 4. People's Front (Front Populaire) 5. People's Progressive Alliance (Alliance Populaire Progressiste) 6. Rally for Democracy and Unity (Rassemblement pour la Démocratie et l'Unité, RDU) 7. Rally of Democratic Forces (Regroupement des Forces Démocratiques, RFD) 8. National Pact for Development and Democracy (Pacte National pour la Démocratie et le Développement, ADIL, PNDD-ADIL 9. Republican Party for Democracy and Renewal (Parti Républicain Démocratique et Renouvellement, PRDR) 10. Union for Democracy and Progress (Union pour la Démocratie et le Progrès, UDP)

11. Union of Democratic Forces (Union des Forces Démocratiques, UFD) 12. Union of Progress Forces (Union des Forces du Progrès, UFP) 13. Union for the Republic (Union pour la république, UPR) - party of the 2008 military government 14. Tawassoul Party (Islamist, legalised 2007.

INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION MEMBERSHIP OF MAURITANIA The Islamic Republic of Mauritania is a member of: Source: Wikipedia

POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS AND SOCIAL STRATIFICATION

In Mauritania the society is organized along strict ethnic and tribe lines with its own internal hierarchy. There ruling ethnic, the white moors, are also divided in tribes with eight major and dozens smaller. The dress style of the person as well as the origins and accent will dictate his or her ethnic heritage and belonging. Ethnicity and caste membership are key to political power. People is expected to vote for the leader of his or her own tribe.

HISTORY

Historical Background The first people that inhabited the Mauritanian territory were sub-Saharan peoples and the Ṣanhājah Imazighen (Berbers). It was the cradle of the Amazigh (singular of Imazighen) Almoravids. The Almoravid dynasty spread Islam throughout North Africa and ruled for centuries over Spain. At the time, Mauritania concentrated most of knowledge of the world with scholars joining in fervent cities as Chinguetti or Oulatta where invaluable manuscripts remain safe today. It was the time of the camel caravans crossing the Sahara from North to South and the zenith of the Almoravid dynasty that spread Islam throughout North Africa and ruled for centuries over Spain.

Mauritania was at the heart of the main commercial routes. The camel caravans passed through the country carrying Saharan salt and Mediterranean luxury products such as fine cloth, brocades, and paper in exchange for gold. Chingueṭṭi, the seventh great city of Islam or Oualâta renowned for its painted walls, concentrated most of the knowledge at the time with scholars from all over the world joining in. Invaluable manuscripts remain still safe there today.

Independency

In the 15th century, Portuguese traders arrived at Cape Blanc (Cape Nouâdhibou) and founded the fort of Arguin based on the commerce of gold, gum arabic, and slaves.

Dutch, Spanish, English and French started trading there during the 17th century and finally in 1904 a French protectorate was created.

French claimed sovereignty “over the hinterland disputed by the leaders (referred to as “amirs” or “commanders” by the French) of the regions of Trarza and, to the east, Brakna —named for the two Ḥassānī lineages that dominated the Sénégal River valley—who claimed territory on both sides of the River”.

Mauritania was for France “Le Grand Vide” -the great void-. Colonial ruling came from glamorous Dakar, where the French Protectorate buildings and infrastructure had been built.But there was little interest by the French in ruling their new territory. It was a strategic path between their interests in North and West Africa.

Mauritania, as many other African countries, reached independence from France in 1960, November 28th. A new country was born when 90 percent of the local population was still nomad. The new capital, Nouakchott, was artificially created out of the only settlement in the country: el Ksar, a small colonial village built around a colonial military post.

Mauritania became a member of the United Nations in October 1961.

Daddah, first President The first Mauritanian to obtain a university degree in Paris was Moktar Ould Daddah, also the first President of Mauritania as an independent country, free from colonial rule. After returning from his studies in France he created his own political party and was elected Prime Minister in the 1959 legislative elections. After independence, he was appointed interim President of the new republic, and confirmed in office in the first postindependence elections held in August 1961.

Daddah took the challenge of building a new state out of a vast desert land inhabited by a diverse population of arabs and black africans as well as a strong french influence. During his mandate, he tried to keep a cautious balance between the country’s African and Arab roots. This delicate balance, that was at the roots of the birth of Mauritania, still requires sharp political skills to manage today.

Daddah´s main contribution to the Mauritanian economy was its vision to built the 675-km railway and a mining port in 1963 that remains the largest mining train of the world and improved enormously the commercialisation of Mauritania´s mineral resources.

Although he had been praised for his skills in reaching consensus among political parties, as well as among white Arabs, black Arabs, and black African, the three largest ethnic groups in Mauritania, he pursued instead the creation of a one-party regime which he formalised in 1964 with a new Constitution. Low commodities prices, recurrent droughts

and a bad management of the country´s natural resources resulted in high tensions and discontent. Daddah had already ruled the country for ten years.

It aggravated in 1975 when Mauritania annexed Tiris al Gharbiyya, the southern third of the Spanish Sahara -now Western Sahara-. The Madrid Agreements with Spain concluded, under which Morocco acquired two thirds of the northern territory, while Mauritania acquired the third of the south. When Mauritanian troops occupied Tiris al Gharbiyya in 1976 under the terms of the Madrid Tripartite Agreement, they were immediately challenged in a fierce fight with the Saharawi independence movement led by the Polisario Front guerrillas. It started a costly and unexpectedly long war that lasted for two years, depleting a vulnerable economy, causing ethnic conflicts and throwing large numbers of casualties. Mauritania armed forces increased from 3,000 to 16,000 in early 1978 according to Wikipedia. Government military expenses increased by 60 percent alienating other development projects. The Polisario succeeded in a series of lethal attacks to Mauritania´s iron mines, and even the capital Nouakchott. The war increased ethnic tensions between moors and blacks and discontent mounted.

The Western Sahara conflict contributed to Daddah´s downfall who was deposed in 1978 by his chief of staff, Col. Mustapha Ould Salek. In 1979 Col. Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidalla replaced Salek in a new coup d´état, and renounced immediately to all Mauritanian´s claims in the Western Sahara, and withdrew from the war.

The Maaouya Regime To fully understand the politics and economy of Mauritania today, we must go back to the time of President Maaouya. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya arrived to power in a coup d'état in 1984 deposing former president Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidalla and ruled the country for more than 20 years. During his reign opposition parties were legalized and a new constitution was approved in 1991.

Although promising democracy, Taya will be reminded for his acts during the ethnic conflict that exploded in the “1989 Events“. A Mauritania- Senegal border dispute escalated into ethnic violence in 1989. Mauritania and Senegal expelled tens of thousands of each other’s citizens and cancelled diplomatic relations until April 1992. Large refugee populations have yet to be returned. During the border conflict, the Maaouya government favoured a purge of blacks (sub-Saharan ethnic groups that originate mainly in the Senegal river valley such as Halpulaar, Soninke and Wolof) both within the army and in the society.

The killings were devised by the "white Moors" ("white Arabs" - Bīḍān, from a berber descent) but executed by the "black Moors" (Harratines, descendants of arab-speaking slaves mostly from Sudan) who thought that blacks wanted to exterminate them. These three social strata make up Mauritanian society today: 30% Arabs, 40% Harratines and 30% Blacks. The tension between the dominant arab-berber (Mauri) and the black minority has since subsided.

Taya´s was also an advocate of civilian ruling and promoted the creation of new political parties creating a multiparty system. The International Monetary Fund or the World Bank praised Taya´s structural reforms to the economy. A new constitution was adopted in 1991 and press freedom was guarantee.

President Maaouya was overthrown from power as he took it: by a military coup. In 2005, during a trip outside Mauritania a group of military high ranked officials announce a coup d´état in a statement run by the state news agency: “The armed forces and security forces have unanimously decided to put an end to the totalitarian practices of the deposed regime under which our people have suffered much over the last several years.”

BOX N o.

Name (Birth–Death)

Elect ed

1

Moktar Ould Daddah (1924–2003)

2

Mustafa Ould Salek (1936–2012)

3

Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Louly (1943–2019)

4

Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidalla (1940–)

Portrait

5

Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya (1941–)

6

Ely Ould Mohamed Vall (1953–2017)

Term of office

Political party

Prime minister( s)

PRM / PPM

Himself

Took office

Left office

Time in office

1961 1966 1971 1976

28 November 1960

10 July 1978 (deposed.)

17 years, 224 days

—

10 July 1978

3 June 1979 (resigned.)

328 days

Military

Bouceif Sidi Haidalla

—

3 June 1979

4 January 1980 (deposed.)

215 days

Military

Haidalla

4 January 1980

12 December 1984 (deposed.)

Military

Himself Bneijara Taya Himself

—

4 years, 343 days

1992 1997 2003

12 December 1984

3 August 2005 (deposed.)

20 years, 234 days

Military / PRDS

Himself Boubaca r Khouna Guig Khouna M'Barec k

—

3 August 2005

19 April 2007

1 year, 259 days

Military (Sûreté Nationale )

Boubaca r

7

Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi (1938–)

2007

19 April 2007

6 August 2008 (deposed.)

1 year, 109 days

Independ ent

Zeidane Waghef

8

Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz (1956–)

—

6 August 2008

15 April 2009

252 days

Military

Laghdaf

–

Ba Mamadou Mbaré (1946–2013)[a]

—

15 April 2009

5 August 2009

112 days

Independ ent

Laghdaf

(8)

Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz (1956–)

2009 2014

5 August 2009

1 August 2019

UPR

Laghdaf Hademin e Béchir

9

Mohamed Ould Ghazouani (1956–)

2019

1 August 2019

Incumbent

UPR

Béchir Sidiya

9 years, 361 days

Source: Wikipedia

The Abdel Aziz Era Col. Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, a former close ally of Ould Taya, served as the transitional military leader of Mauritania. In 2006 in a widely participated referendum on constitutional reforms, Mauritania limited the presidencial terms to five years instead of six and two terms only. In the elections of April 2007 when Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi was elected President of Mauritania. He became Mauritania’s first democratically elected president.

Abdallahi presidency was overshadow by his preference for introducing Taya´s strongmen in his government and for his purge of the Army which provoked a new military coup d ´état plotted by two key figures of Mauritanian´s history: former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, Commander of his Presidential Guard at the time, and current president Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, Chief of Staff of the National Army.

The Parliament claimed widespread popular support against an authoritarian regime while the coup leaders announced that Abdallahi's powers had been terminated and that a newly formed High Council of State presided by General Abdel Aziz would govern the nation in a transitional period to a new presidential election. In the general elections in July 2009, the coup leader, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz was affirmed in office, with Ould Ghazouani remaining as his chief of staff and right-hand confidant.

Abdel Aziz was going to be the president of Mauritania for the next decade. Although soon after he took office an “accidental” shooting by his own troops raised concerns over

his military support, his authority was intact and was reelelected in 2014 for a second and final term as president with over 80 percent of the vote.

During his rule, he installed an ethnic mix in the Government. The position of president of Parliament, for example, was always proposed to a black sub-saharian person. Powered by the security and stability that Abdel Aziz had installed in the country, the economy started showing signs of strong growth with rising living standards. International financial institutions praised Mauritania´s efforts to balance its accounts and fight poverty. Internally, Abdel Aziz also prioritised a large number of infrastructure projects expanding ports, airports, roads and starting to lay the telecom backbone.

However, both the Maaouya and Abdulaziz eras are perceived as times with persisting flagrant corruption and nepotism.

The first democratic transition of power General Mohamed Ould Cheikh Mohamed Ahmed Ould Ghazouani won 2009 presidential elections in the first round by a tight absolute majority of 52 percent of the vote and a record voter turnout of 62,6 percent.

The newly elected president, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani replaced peacefully and democratically former President Abdel Aziz, somehow his mentor. 63-year-old Ghazouani, was the head of the domestic security service of Abdel Aziz. The two military allies had remain together since they orchestrated the 2008 coup d´état against President Abdellahani.

Abdel Aziz stepped aside in favour of his close friend and ally, Ghazouani after serving the maximum 10 years of ruling. With his victory, President Mohamed Ahmed Ould Ghazouani rubricated the first democratic transition of power in Mauritania´s bulky record of Coup D ´Etat.

There were around 1,5 million people eligible to vote. Ghazouani’s nearest rival, the popular anti-slavery leader Biram Dah Abeid, came second with 18,5 percent, while Islamic party’s backed Mohamed Ould Boubacar came in third-place with 17,8 percent of the votes.

MAURITANIA 2019 ELECTIONS RESULTS Candidate

Party

Votes

%

Mohamed Ould Ghazouani

Union for the Republic

483,312 52.01

Biram Dah Abeid

Independent

172,656 18.58

Sidi Mohamed Ould Boubacar

Independent

166,058 17.87

Kane Hamidou Baba

Independent

80,916 8.71

Mohamed Ould Mouloud

Rally of Democratic Forces

Mohamed Lemine al-Mourtaji al-Wafi

Independent

Invalid/blank votes Total Registered voters/turnout

22,695 2.44 3,676 0.40 38,284 – 967,594 1,544,132

100 62.66

Source: CENI

Rupture or continuation?

Serene and cultured, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, 63, comes from a famous Sufi religious and scholars sage from the eastern desert of Mauritania. He was a military intelligence officer for years and enjoys the respect and trust of the majority of members of the military institution, which he also led for many years.

Considered as a moderate but skilled politician with military-shaped leadership abilities, Ghazouani entered the army in 1978. He studied at the Meknes Military Academy in Morocco, alongside his future friend Abdel Aziz. His first position of importance was, in 1987, as personal assistant to President Maaouya Ould Taya, who ruled the country between 1984 and 2005.

In 2005, he was appointed Director General of the National Security Forces (police), and shortly thereafter, in 2007, he was promoted to general. One year later, he was selected for the strategic position of Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces. In 2018 he left his position to become Minister of Defence. Only a few months after he resigned to take up the race to the presidency.

Abdel Aziz, the man who had been his friend and mentor for decades, supported Ghazouani openly during the electoral campaign ensuring that “only him could guarantee the security and stability of the country� which is an island of security in the turbulent environment of the Sahel region where Mauritania is located.

In November 2019, a few months after winning the elections and on the day of independence, President Mohamed Ould Al Ghazouani, who had proven mild but strong, managed to stop a futile attempt to seize power by former president Abdel Aziz. The incident concluded with a restructuring of the Armed Forces, and a shift of his personal presidencial guard with new and loyal souls. In a clear message to his predecessor, Ghazouani showed his power and will to rule independently. In March 2020, an amnesty was signed with business tycoon Mohamed Ould Bouamatou, who was able to return to his home country from the exile imposed by former president Abdel Aziz.

A conciliatory man, commanding a multicultural country

In his sworn-in speech, Ghazouani emphasised his conciliatory intentions to be “the President of all Mauritanians whatever their political affiliation or their electoral choice and that its sole purpose is to serve all citizens (…) and “to work to build a strong and developed state where all Mauritanians, without exception, enjoy the highest level of security and prosperity”.

Mauritania is an amalgam of acute culturally diversified groups - white moors, black moors and black africans - that had in the past been confronted. This desert country spanning the Arab Maghreb of North Africa and the western sub-Saharan Africa is also divided between the Arab-Berber population to the north and black Africans to the south. Islam has traditionally been the drive of the national unity. In his inauguration speech, to show his unifying intentions, he underlined that “we have the commitment to protect the Fatherland, to preserve national unity and to defend our holy Islamic religion, guarantor of this unity, as well as to the promotion justice between citizens. This vision is both inclusive, ambitious and realistic. A vision that lays the foundations for a promising future, tackling imbalances and gaps, and eliminating disparities and manifestations of underdevelopment”

________________________________ PRACTICAL INFORMATION INTRO

Mauritanian say that there are two Mauritanias, the google Mauritania, and the real Mauritania. From a foreign perspective there is no doubt that sentence is totally true. The second part is also true. You either love it or hate it. But most people love it once they are there. You have to be a bit adventurous, nevertheless, to challenge yourself all the way down to Africa if you were not made for that.

A bit chaotic but charming, Mauritania is anchored in its own timeframe where profound traditions compete with top end technologies almost at the same level. That is one of the thing that makes it exceptional along with the hospitality of its people.

VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

30-days visas can be obtained on arrival and extend afterwards. Citizens of all Western nations need a visa to enter. Holders of West African passports do not require a visa. The visa costs €55 or US$60 (as of 2019). There is no additional documentation required. Visa procedures are Nouakchott airport are still rudimentary. Just be patient and follow the instructions of the officer. After your visa is sign, proceed for your luggage that will be happily carried for MRU200. Organise with your hotel your arrival pick up.

VACCINATIONS

No vaccination is required in Mauritania compulsory but yellow fever is recommendable if travelling to remote areas.

GETTING THERE

By Plane You can reach Mauritania by plane, with Mauritanian Airlines, the national carrier, or any other international carrier travelling to Mauritania like Air France or Air Maroc. Mauritania has three international airports. The main airport is Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport which is the base for Mauritanian Airlines.

By Train There are no trains connecting Mauritania with neighbouring countries.

By Car You can reach Mauritania by car from Morocco, Mali or Senegal. However, travelling by car is not advisable.

By Bus There are buses departing to Mauritania from Morocco and Senegal and small pick up services from Mali. There are also taxis regularly departing from Dakar to Mauritania.

BANKS

Mauritania has over a dozen of international standard banks offering all international standard services and operations.

BANK ACCOUNTS

To open a bank account in Mauritania you will need pictures, the original and photocopy of your passport and entry visa, photocopy of your residency card and a service bill. The process is normally straight forward if you have all the documents required.

ATM SYSTEM & CREDIT CARDS

Mauritania is a cash country. There is a very limited number of ATM and they are mostly located in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. Visa is preferred to Mastercard. Hotels accept credit cards but most businesses don’t.

CURRENCY

The ouguiya, - sign: UM and currency code MRU- is the currency of Mauritania. Each ouguiya constitutes five khoums. The ouguiya was introduced in 1973 replacing the CFA francs. It was changed again in 2018 into the current ouguiya at a rate of 1 new ouguiya per 10 old ouguiyas.

MONEY EXCHANGE

Banks and money exchange offices offer money exchange services throughout the main cities although the black market normally offer better prices. You can find traders along the city road with their index finger lifted up, meaning they can exchange your money..

Then you are up to your negotiation abilities.

BUSINESS WORKING HOURS

From Monday to Thursday, working hours extend from 8AM to 4PM. Fridays are prayer day and most offices close at 12AM. Some offices also do half day on Saturdays.

Shops and supermarkets open at 9 to 10AM and close at night around midnight. The weather in Mauritania has shaped the living habits of its people that prefer the fresher night hours for their shopping.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS Year's Day

January 1

Labor Day

May 1

The Organization of African Unity Day

May 25

Independence Day

November 28

Aid El Fitr

Variable, indicates the end of Ramadan

Aid El Adha

Variable, 70 days after the end of Ramadan

Aid El Mawled

Variable

Islamic New Year

Variable

Â

COST OF LIFE

Generally Mauritania is an inexpensive place if you are not looking for European products or european standard living. Those are expensive. A furnished two bedroom apartment in Nouakchott, up to European standards, can cost around EUR 1,500 per month, whereas a small local style one bedroom apartment stands at EUR 300. Upscale restaurants are cheaper than its European peers and food is in general delicious. Below you can find a list of some aleatory prices.

DRESS CODE

Mauritania is a country of traditions and this is also shown in people’s dressing. Men wear the traditional Mauritanian "Daraa" or a boubou, which is a large loose tunic normally blue, covering the whole body to the toes. It is worn with leather sandals that you can find in any of the street markets of Nouakchott. Women wear the “Melahfa” on top of their clothes, which is a single large beautifully coloured scarf that women wrap around the entire body, covering from head to ankles. European style dressing is also very common in Mauritania. As an Islamic country, out of respect, it is advisable for women to cover shoulders and legs wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts.

EDUCATION

Public education is free in Mauritania and compulsory from 6 to 14 years. Private education is also available with international standards practices and curriculums. Prices range from different schools but are comparatively high. The University of Nouakchott was founded in 1981. There are also a number of training centres and vocational institutes available.

INTERNET AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Internet communications in Mauritania are in general very poor due to a lack of infrastructure. An on-going infrastructure project to lay a telecommunication backbone throughout the country will allow to a higher speed navigation and a back up connection, protecting the country from being disconnected..

There are three mobile operators in the country: Mauritel, Mattel and Chinguitel. Mauritel has the largest coverage and is the leader in both, mobile and fixed line connections.

There are also independent internet providers.

MEDIA & PUBLISHING

Mauritania has no newspaper reading tradition. You can barely find a newspaper in hotels, which usually have them in the rest of the world. Maybe the nomadic influence and oral

transmission place other information channels, such as the private Vision TV www.vision.mr- or the public Mauritanian Television, www.tvm.mr, in a better position.

Internet, also, has changed the way we communicate altogether. In Mauritania, the news float around internet pages, like the public Mauritania´s News Agency, ami.mr or the more critical cridem.org. There is a relatively high freedom of expression in the local press.

Some of the most known newspapers are Horizons, in French and Chaab in Arabic.

LIST OF EMBASSIES

Mauritania maintains 35 embassies abroad as well as 28 consulates and one other representation. The Mauritanian capital Nouakchott hosts 30 embassies, and in addition there are 27 consulates and one other representation in Mauritania.

EMBASSIES IN MAURITANIA Algeria - Nouakchott • Brazil - Nouakchott • China - Nouakchott • Congo (Democratic Republic) - Nouakchott • Egypt - Nouakchott • France - Nouakchott • Gambia - Nouakchott • Germany - Nouakchott • Iran - Nouakchott • Iraq - Nouakchott • Japan - Nouakchott • Kuwait - Nouakchott • Libya - Nouakchott • Mali - Nouakchott • Morocco - Nouakchott • Nigeria - Nouakchott • Palestine - Nouakchott • Russia - Nouakchott • Saudi Arabia - Nouakchott • Senegal - Nouakchott • South Africa - Nouakchott • Spain - Nouakchott • Sudan - Nouakchott • Syria - Nouakchott • Tunisia - Nouakchott • Turkey - Nouakchott • United Arab Emirates - Nouakchott • United Kingdom - Nouakchott • United States - Nouakchott • Yemen - Nouakchott •

CONSULATES IN MAURITANIA Austria - Nouakchott, Consulate • Belgium - Nouakchott, Consulate • Benin - Nouakchott, Consulate • Canada - Nouakchott, Consulate • Cape Verde - Nouakchott, Consulate • Cote d'Ivoire - Nouakchott, Consulate • Czech Republic - Nouakchott, Consulate • France - Nouadhibou, Consulate • Greece - Nouakchott, Consulate • Guinea-Bissau - Nouakchott, Consulate General • India - Nouakchott, Consulate • Italy - Nouakchott, Consulate General • Korea (Republic) - Nouakchott, Consulate • Mexico - Nouakchott, Consulate • Monaco - Nouakchott, Consulate • Morocco - Nouadhibou, Consulate General • Netherlands - Nouakchott, Consulate • Niger - Nouadhibou, Consulate • Norway - Nouakchott, Consulate • Pakistan - Nouakchott, Consulate General • Poland - Nouakchott, Consulate • Portugal - Nouakchott, Consulate • Romania - Nouakchott, Consulate • San Marino - Nouakchott, Consulate • Spain - Nouadhibou, Consulate • Switzerland - Nouakchott, Consulate • Ukraine - Nouakchott, Consulate • OTHER REPRESENTATIONS IN MAURITANIA European Union - Nouakchott, Delegation • EMBASSIES ACCREDITED TO MAURITANIA Venezuela - Dakar • MAURITANIAN EMBASSIES Algeria - Algiers • Belgium - Brussels • Brazil - Brasilia • China - Beijing • Cote d'Ivoire - Abidjan • Egypt - Cairo • Ethiopia - Addis Ababa • France - Paris • Gambia - Banjul •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Germany - Berlin Iran - Tehran Iraq - Baghdad Italy - Rome Japan - Tokyo Kuwait - Kuwait City Libya - Tripoli Mali - Bamako Morocco - Rabat Niger - Niamey Nigeria - Abuja Oman - Muscat Qatar - Doha Russia - Moscow Saudi Arabia - Riyadh Senegal - Dakar South Africa - Pretoria Spain - Madrid Sudan - Khartoum Syria - Damascus Tunisia - Tunis Turkey - Ankara United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi United Kingdom - London United States - Washington, D.C. Yemen - Sana'a

MAURITANIAN CONSULATES Benin - Cotonou, Consulate • Canada - Edmonton, Consulate • Canada - Montreal, Consulate • Congo (Republic) - Brazzaville, Consulate General • Denmark - Copenhagen, Consulate General • Equatorial Guinea - Malabo, Consulate • Equatorial Guinea - Bata, Consulate • France - Marseille, Consulate • France - Nice, Consulate • France - Rouen, Consulate • Gabon - Libreville, Consulate • Guinea - Conakry, Consulate • Guinea-Bissau - Bissau, Consulate General • Indonesia - Jakarta, Consulate • Italy - Naples, Consulate • Lebanon - Beirut, Consulate • Lithuania - Klaipeda, Consulate •

• • • • • • • • • • •

Netherlands - Leeuwarden, Consulate General Philippines - Manila, Consulate Portugal - Lisbon, Consulate Saudi Arabia - Jeddah, Consulate General Spain - Lanzarote, Consulate Spain - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Consulate General Spain - Vitoria-Gasteiz, Consulate Sweden - Stockholm, Consulate Switzerland - Geneva, Consulate General Turkey - Istanbul, Consulate United States - Philadelphia, Consulate

MAURITANIAN MULTILATERAL MISSIONS European Union - Brussels, Mission • OTHER MAURITANIAN REPRESENTATIONS European Union - Brussels, Mission • Source: embassypages.com

ECONOMY The Mauritanian economy Mauritania is a very vast country, twice the size of Spain, barely populated and mostly desert. All infrastructure projects attempting to connect the loose ends are extraordinary.

Probably because of this, Mauritania´s economy has developed along its 754 kilometres of coastline over the Atlantic Ocean while the interior of the country along the Sahel region has remained attached to a traditional subsistence economy composed of livestock raising, agriculture, crafts, and petty trading. More than half of the population engages in traditional activities, among which livestock raising -goats, sheep, cattle and camels- is the most important.

Or maybe because along the coast most of the industry has evolved. Mauritania´s economy has traditionally been supported with the exploitation of iron ore, gold and copper resources and the fishing industry.

The country boasts one of the richest fishing waters of the world with 600 species of fish identified, 200 of which can be commercially exploited. Catches can reach between 1.5 to 1.8 million tons generating USD 800 millones per year. Governmental policies towards the professionalisation and the transformation of the sector into a more added-value industry have not yet rooted but there is a potential for it. Port infrastructure has recently been upgraded and new ports added to the main ports of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. The fishing industry represents 15 percent of budget revenues, attracts 45 percent of the

country´s foreign currency and represents approximately half of the total value of the country´s exports, excluding oil.

Production at the offshore Chingueṭṭi field began in early 2006, although it shortly halted.

After decades of prospection, and although expectations continue to be high, little oil has been found in Mauritania. Current production ranges between 6,000 to 7,000 barrels per day approximately. Although in-land and off-shore exploration continue, the major gas field discovery in 2019 has turned all eyes to gas, instead of oil. The field could represent about a third of Argelia´s reserves, or about 35 years of bonanza. The discovery was so big that it could transform the country into one of the world’s top LNG exporters.

The discovery was made in October 2019 by oil giant BP approximately 125 kilometers offshore Mauritania in the BirAllah area. The Orca-1 exploration well was the world’s largest deepwater hydrocarbon discovery in 2019 and meant a world-scale quality of the Mauritania gas basin. According to Kosmos Energy, one of the partners of the BirAllah gas hub with BP and SMHPM (Société Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures et de Patrimoine Minier), the Orca-1 and Marsouin-1 wells have de-risked up to 50 Trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas initially in place (GIIP) which would be a sufficient resource to support a world-scale LNG project.

The prospects are good. Not only had the mining industry undergone major expansion investments both in the copper industry and the gold mining, ports have been expanding and the country telecom backbone will soon be a reality, but also now, Mauritania adds on one more star product to its rich portfolio of exports: gas.

Economic expansion In 2019, Mauritania grew at 6,3 percent. It was one of the top ten fastest growing economies of the world, according to World Bank Statistics. Along its economy, its population grows at 2.09 percent, one of the fastest growing rates of the world and totalled 4,4 million people in 2019. The country´s gross domestic product (GDP) stood at roughly USD 7,6 billion that same year, around USD 1,756.10 per cápita.

Its soil is rich in natural resources including gas, iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil and fish. Around 30 percent of the GDP comes from the industrial sector, 43 percent from services and 27 percent from agriculture. The main agricultural products are dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn; cattle, camels and sheep. The main industries include fish processing, oil & gas production and mining (iron ore, gold, copper) BOX ______________________________________________ GDP GROWTH: 2017 - 3 percent 2018 - 3.6 percent 2019 - 6.3 percent 2020 - -2 percent (pr)

2021 - 4.2 percent (pr) GDP PER CAPITA: $ 5,077 GNI PER CAPITA: $ 1,660 HUMAN CAPITAL INDEX (0-1) = 0.35 Source. World Bank _______________________________________________________ A mining beginning The exploitation of the copper deposits of Akjoujt begun in 1969 by Somima (Société Minière de Mauritanie) which was later nationalised. Although operations were suspended at the end of the 70s, the copper industry in Mauritania has continued to expand over the years. Mauritanian Copper Mines (MCM), a First Quantum Minerals Ltd subsidiary, produces approximately 15,000 tons of copper concentrate every month, employs over 1,400 people and contributes 5.6% gross national income to Mauritania’s total economy.

Iron Ore deposits were first spotted in the 50´s and exploitation started a couple of years later with the creation of la Société des Mines de Fer de Mauritanie (MIFERMA) which in 1974 was nationalised and transformed into the currently operative Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière (SNIM). SNIM produces around 12 million tons of iron-ore per year.

Kinross Tasiast, a Canadian mining company, produces around 400,000 gold equivalent ounces (au eq oz) in 2019 and has renewed its contract with the government for 30 more years. Gold prices rose 18 percent in 2019 and are expected to continue rising as a safe haven, while the company’s average gold price rose 21 percent to USD1,485 per ounce.

The check in 2019 reached almost USD 600 millions.

There are also substantial gypsum deposits near the capital Nouakchott.

International aid agencies and funds, individual countries and multilateral institutions as the European Union also contribute to the development of Mauritania funding a varied diversity of development projects from education and health to infrastructure or women empowerment.

Since independence, Mauritania´s economy has continuously show a growing tendency amid periods of recession. The country experienced a rapid growth during the 60´s and 70 ´s but stagnated in the 80´s hit by the decline of global commodity prices. Additionally, recurrent droughts severely affected Mauritania´s agriculture and animal breeding. While commodity prices declined, the imports of foodstuff were growing out of control. The fishing industry took over during the commodities´ crisis and became the leading source of foreign currency earnings during the 90´s. From then, the commitment to diversify the economy towards other sectors as the inclusive tourism, has not yet succeeded although Mauritania´s cultural heritage, natural hospitality and extraordinary landscapes and beaches have all the ingredients to be transformed into a world class destination. Banc d’Arguin National Park and the historic cities of Tîchît, Chingueṭṭi, Ouadâne, and Oualâta are UNESCO´s World Heritage sites.

A heavy indebted country For many years Mauritania engrossed the list of the heavily indebted countries and was indeed one of the poorest countries of the world. But Mauritania is a rich country in natural resources and climbed its way up to reach a balanced budget during the 80s. Large portions of external debt were rescheduled or cancelled during the 90s and in 2005 the country was relief of its multilateral debt.

The rise of the private sector The private sector of Mauritania grew around the privatisation process and the mining wealth. Around a dozen families run the private sector today although a growing middle income class is rapidly expanding in the cities.

The finance system The banking system grew after the 90s liberalisation with the big conglomerates of prominent Mauritanian businessmen transformed into bankers of their own conglomerates ´ private banks. Mauritania does not have a capital market nor a stock exchange but local businessmen have urged the modernisation and diversification of the finance & capital market. The Central Bank of Mauritania was established in 1973 and issues the national currency, the Ouguiya. Manufacturing is mostly limited to the food-processing sector.

Foreign Investment According to the United Nations Congress on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in its World Investment Report 2020 2020, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows totalled USD 885 million in 2019, compared to USD 773 million in 2018. The total stock of FDI reached USD 9 billion in 2019.

Most of the investments have been directed to the oil exploration and exploitation, iron and gold mining, telecommunications sectors with the acquisition of mobile phone licenses and construction.

BOX _______________________________________ FOREIGN INVESTMENT FLOWS

 Source: United Nations Conference for Trade & Development (UNCTAD) - Latest available data. _________________________________________________

Human Development Index

Between 1990 and 2019, Mauritania's HDI value improved by almost a 40 percent. from 0.378 to 0.527.

Source. UNDP Doing Business Ranking Over the past years, Mauritania has improved consistently its ease of doing business climbing 20 places to position 148 in 2018 in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Ranking. In 2019, Mauritania's rank deteriorated to 152.

Valuable exports Mauritania economy depends fundamentally in its exports of fish, minerals and oil and gas. In 2019, exports totalled USD 2.9 billion, an increase of 34.3 percent compared to the previous year and 60 percent from 2015. Mauritania's top 3 exports account for most of the total value of its shipments.

BOX _____________________________________________________ Main export products: 1. Minerals, slag, ash: US $ 1.4 billion (46.2% of total exports) 2. Fish: $ 705.8 million (24.1%) 3. Gems, precious metals: $ 590.9 million (20.2%) 4. Waste from the food industry, animal forage: $ 163.5 million (5.6%) 5. Animal / vegetable fats, oils, waxes: $ 65.4 million (2.2%) 6. Meat / seafood preparations: $ 6.1 million (0.2%) 7. Copper: $ 5.4 million (0.2%) 8. Electrical machinery, equipment: $ 5.4 million (0.2%) 9. Iron, steel: $ 5.3 million (0.2%) 10. Fruits, nuts: $ 4.6 million (0.2%) Source. World’s top exports

BOX _______________________________________________________ Export destinations by country (2019): China 30% Switzerland 14.9% Spain 14.2% Japan 8.6% Russia 6.3% Ivory Coast 4.3% Germany 3.2% Italy 3% Togo 2%

Nigeria 1.6% Turkey 1.4% South Korea 1.3% Source. World’s top exports BOX ______________________________________ Export destinations by continent (2019): 46% Europe 42.9% Asia 10.8% Africa 0.3% North America 0.3% Latin America Source. World’s top exports ____________________________________________________

Imports for living Mauritania depends highly in its foodstuff imports to survive. A series of policies towards food security have been implemented but industrial financing for the agriculture sector is still limited. Though it is one of the main sectors of the economy, it doesn’t produce half the need of the country. In 2018, Mauritanian imports amounted to USD 3.07 billion, creating a small negative balance in its trade balance, which has nevertheless been improving over the years from 5,8 billions in 2013.

BOX ___________________________________________ Main imported products: Wheat: ($ 131 million), Palm oil ($ 92.8 million), Pure Woven Cotton ($ 83 million) Woven Synthetic Staple Fiber Fabric ($ 78.1 million) Tea ($ 60.6M) Source. World’s top exports _____________________________________________ BOX ___________________________________________ Main importing partners: China ($ 1.04B), France ($ 200 million), Morocco ($ 188 million) Spain ($ 175 million) Belgium-Luxembourg ($ 133 million) Source. World’s top exports _____________________________

Mauritania and the Sahel Mauritania has historically been a crossroads for international commerce. Since the camel caravans of the 11th century up to the current tracks riding along its territory, Mauritania´s location has always been strategic. The government political vision includes reaching to the Sahel region, a market of 135 million inhabitants (around 80 million only within the Sahel G5) and to the West African zone, increasing Mauritania´s market reach to a new audience of 367 million people.

It's trying to reinforce its strategic location by developing and expanding its port infrastructure and the country’s connectivity with investment in both, transport and telecom. The Nouadhibou duty-free zone, one key piece of the puzzle, was injected USD 10 million grant by the World Bank to develop and promote Mauritania as a multi-purpose service platform in the sub-region.

Mauritanian government officials have also shown their interest to restore its membership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which will enable the country to tap into existing trade benefits in the zone as the creation of a Free Trade Area, a Customs Union, a Common Market as well as the the Cotonou Agreement, a 20-year trade package signed between the European Community and 77 countries of African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries that serves as a platform of integration in world trade.

BOX _______________________________________ Strong Points to invest in Mauritania: - Support from donors and international organizations - Freedom of establishment is guaranteed by the Mauritanian law.

- With some exceptions, Foreign investors can obtain majority stake in a local company - Rich mineral and fishery resources - Favourable energy outlook (gas, renewable energies) - Increasing political stability as well as decreasing security problems.

Weak Points to invest in Mauritania - Inadequate infrastructures - A very young population poorly qualified for management positions (over 60% of the population is under 25 years old) - The impact of climate change with an increase of desertification - A high level of poverty (40% of its population) and a large informal economy.

BUSINESS RESOURCES HÔTELS

Tfeila Hôtel Avenue Charles de Gaulle BP: 40157 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 74 00 info@hotelLeila.com www.hotelLeila.com LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP Nouakcho5 Hôtel Avenue Moctar Ould Daddah, Block 1; Stade Olympique face du Palais des Congrès NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 25 00 00 30 (+222) 25 00 00 31 (+222) 25 00 00 32 reserva\on@nouakchoAhotel.com contact@nouakchoAhotel.com www.nouakchoAhotel.com LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP Azalai Hôtel Avenue Gamal Abdel Nasser, 160 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 29 50 51 reserva\onaha@azalaihotels.com www.azalaihotels.com La Medina Hôtel À côté de Carrefour – Abassade de France NouakchoA – Mauritanie (+222) 41 99 75 15 opera\ons.manager@amgroupe.es restaurantlamedina.com Monotel - Dar El Barka Zone des Ambassades BP: 1336 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 24 23 33

contact@monotel-mr.com www.monotel-mr.com Semiramis H么tels (Centre Ville et Moulaye Junior) : Centre Ville Ilot O 18 Zone des ambassades BP: 4350 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 24 00 38 (+222) 45 24 00 39 citycenter.semiramishotels.com info.cv@semiramishotels.com reserva\ons.cv@semiramishotels.com Moulaye Junior ILOT C ZRC N0470 BP: 4350 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 24 68 00 citycenter.semiramishotels.com info.mj@semiramishotels.com reserva\ons.mj@semiramishotels.com Al Khaima H么tel 10 BP: 5219, Rue Mamadou Konate NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 24 43 95 (+222) 45 24 00 12 hotel@alkhaimacitycenter.com www.alkhaimacitycenter.com Sunset H么tel Avenue Moktar Ould Daddah NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 29 87 37 reserva\on@sunsethotel.com www.sunsethotel.mr Mauricenter H么tel Moctar Ould Daddah Avenue Roundabout City Smar NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 29 80 01 (+222) 45 29 66 83 (+222) 22 95 18 16 info@hotelmauricenter.com www.hotelmauricenter.com

CasaBlü Hôtel NouakchoA, Diploma\c District, près d’European Union NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 30 30 book@casabluhotel.com FB: @CasabluHotel Hôtel Free Zone Ilot: Ext P5 Lot: 246 1 Nouadhibou - Mauritanie (+222) 22 37 31 52 hotelfreezone@gmail.com FB: Htzfree Hôtel Tasiast Boulevard Mari\me J25. BP: 4350 Nouadhibou - Mauritanie (+222) 45 74 51 07 hoteltasiast@hoteltasiast.com www.hoteltasiast.com El Medina Hôtel Nouadhibou El Medina Hotel Nouadhibou - Mauritanie (+222) 45 74 42 41 elmedinahotel@gmail.com FB: Hotel El Medina Nouadhibou LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP

BANQUES Générale de Banque de Mauritanie – GBM 6, avenue de l’Indépendance B.P: 5558 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 36 36 dco@gbm-mr.com www.gbm-banque.com LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP Banque El Amana - BEA BP: 5559 Rue Mamadou Konate NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 29 11 01 contact@bea.mr www.bea.mr LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP

Banque pour le Commerce et l´Industrie - BCI 57, Avenue Gamal Abdel Nasser - BP 5050 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 29 28 76 Land Page Contact www.bci-banque.com LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP Banque Populaire de Mauritanie - BPM Avenue El Haj Oumar TALL, SOCOGIM TEVRAGH ZEINA Lot n°100, BP: 3842 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 29 05 69 contact@bpm.mr www.bpm.mr LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP Chingui5y Bank Avenue Gamal A.Nasser Ilot U Lot N° 17 et 18 B.P: 626 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 21 73 (+222) 45 25 21 42 info@chbank.mr www.chbank.mr InternaXonal Bank of Mauritania Ilot V 14 ZRB Tevragh-Zeina B.P: 7091 NouakchoA - Mauritania (+222) 45 24 94 24 aadiallo@ibm-bank.mr www.ibm-bank.mr Banque Al Wava Mauritanienne Islamique -BAMIS 758, rue 22-018, Avenue du Roi Fayçal NouakchoA – Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 14 24 (+222) 45 25 22 66 Land Page Contact www.bamis.mr Orabank P54 Avenue Charles de Gaulle BP:913 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 29 19 00 Land Page Contact www.orabank.net Banque NaXonale de Mauritanie - BNM

Avenue du Roi Fayçal NouakcoA 291 & 614-NouakchoA Mauritanie NouakchoA - Mauritania (+222) 45 25 26 02 / 45 25 27 07 Land Page Contact www.bnm.mr Banque Mauritanienne pour le Commerce InternaXonal - BMCI Ave. Gamal Abdel Nasser NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 28 26 Land Page Contact www.bmci.mr Banque des Financements Islamiques - BFI 78, Angle Avenue Bouddah O. Bousseiry & Avenue Roi Fayçall – Lot T N31 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 09 01 contact@bank-bfi.com www.bank-bfi.com A\jari Bank - A\jari Wafabank 91-92, rue Mamadou Konaté, llot O BP: 415 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 29 63 74 Land Page Contact www.asjariwafabank.com Banque Centrale de Mauritanie - BCM Avenue de l’indépendance BP 623 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 0044 / 45 20 07 22 infos@bcm.mr www.bcm.mr Banque Islamique de Mauritanie - BIM 402 avenue Roi Fayçal Ksar BP: 5056 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 25 07 (+222) 45 25 25 80 Bim@bim-bank.mr www.ta-holding.com/Mauritanie Banque Mauritanienne de L' invesXssement (BMI) Socogim Tevragh Zeina ZRA 24 BP 30032 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 53 58 info@bmi.mr www.bmi.mr

Société Générale de la Mauritanie - SGM Av. du General de Gaulle NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 29 70 00 espace.client@socgen.com www.societegenerale.mr

PHARMACIES Pharmacie & Para Paris Avenue Moctar Daddah NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 41 83 24 24 pharmacieparis.services@gmail.com FB: @pharmacie.paris.paris Pharmacie République E NORD - Capital pré de l’hôpital principal NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 34 62 20 00 sbaimethasbai@gmail.com FB: Pharmacie République NouakchoA Pharmacie Bon Choix Avenue Moktar Ould Dadab NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 20 55 67 87 FB: Pharmacie BON CHOIX Pharmacie Kennedy Rue Abou Baker NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222 ) 45 25 36 93 Pharmacie Apothicaire Rue Moctar Daddah carrefour cite-smart NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 27 90 00 00 - 43 80 00 00 apothicaire2015@yahoo.fr FB:@apothicaireNkA Pharmacie Zem Zem Ilot K 122 Tevragh Zeina NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 79 75 pharmacie.zemzem@gmail.com

FB: @Pharmacie Zem Zem Pharmacie Sultana Avenue Mokhtar O/Daddah - B01 Ecole Police NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 36 26 54 14 - 48 15 00 00 chrivlkaloui@gmail.com Pharmacie Centrale Tevragh Zeina BP : 494 ZRB 561 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 50 94 (+222) 46 77 03 48 cheikh\jani.mbaye@yahoo.fr

LIBRARIES Librairie Joussur Abdel Aziz Immueble Mamy; Avenue Bouddah Ould Bousseiry NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 22 30 89 39 Librairie Al Quds Avenue Charles de Gaule - En face Siège N2B Société Générale NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 48 68 06 35 Librairie Vent du Sud 42-39 Avenue John Kennedy, Immeuble Ould-Mamy, BP: 145 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 32 07 24 24 (+222) 45 25 26 84 lvs.mauritanie@yahoo.fr Librairie 15 21 BP 6425 Immeuble El Mamy Avenue Kennedy NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 37 57 87 87 / 36 32 62 48 umed.mr@gmail.com L'harma5an Mauritanie Avenue Palais des Congrès BP 316 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 46 32 59 80 mdlemkeAab@yahoo.com

STUDIO DE PHOTOGRAPHIE Magali Boivert - Photographe Rédactrice Tevragh Zeina Ilot K NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 41 58 22 01 magaliboivert01@gmail.com LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP Smma ProducXon Le Ksar NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 48 01 02 46 smmap@yahoo.com Photo Express Avenue du Roi Faiçal Ilot T n23 N11 Capital NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 46 40 86 14 (+222) 27 43 86 14 photoexpress.mr@gmail.com Studio Portrait Pro Avenue Carrefour Madrid - En face Société Générale NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 44 44 41 26 pe\tpro15@gmail.com Labo Photo Service 2 BMD Tevragh-Zeina NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 29 24 (+222) 22 33 91 08 labophotoservice.2@gmail.com Photo Excellance Rue Ancien Prince BMD Tevragh Zeina NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 46 53 67 58 africatelecom1@gmail.com

SUPPORT TECHNIQUE Top Technology Ilot T 47, Avenue Gamal Abdel Nasser, BP: 2823 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 44 22 32 78

mmousa@asmlgroup.com www.toptechnology.mr Infolog Rue 42-152 Tevragh-ZeinaBP 19 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 47 94 00 49 amadou@infolog.mr www.infolog.mr ITB Ilot K N°63 Derriére CDI NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 24 33 53 (+222) 44 06 91 26 itb@itb.mr www.itb.mr CDI Centre de DistribuXon InformaXque Ilot K 124 (À côté de de l'Unicef) NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 29 18 64 info@cdi.mr www.cdi.mr

Infocom SoluXons InformaXques 181- Avenue du Palais des Congrès "B Nord" TEVRAGH-ZEINA - BP: 3920 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 81 99 INFOCOM@isolu\onsmr.com www.isolu\onsmr.com EWIS El Wivagh InformaXque Services BP: 154 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 36 64 15 73 / 48 19 20 19 elwivaghs@gmail.com Top InformaXque (Vente) En face Immueble Najah NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 22 01 39 21 / 45 24 63 59 topinform@yahoo.fr

SERVICE DE BLANCHISSERIE Galaxy Pressing Avenue Générale de Gaulle NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 46 42 00 58 Contact through Landing Page galaxy-pressing.business.site M Press À côté de carrefour Emira NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 43 27 17 07 mpress.neAoyage@gmail.com FB: @mpresspresssingnouakchoA Pressing 2000 BMD À côté de la Banque Centrale NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 48 49 59 80 soumarebakarsouleymane@gmail.com FB: Pressing2000 Mauri Pressing (Becaye Messoud) Avenue Générale de Gaulle NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 43 22 88 88 (+222) 25 06 80 15 Centre de couture et pressing Chez Diallo Tevragh Zeina NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 26 38 87 76 (+222) 47 13 47 12 sidibeibrahima188@gmail.com Pressing Al Quds Route de Nouadhibou NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 41 68 01 97 aissata.diallo1@gmail.com BEN Pressing Rue Bou\que Couscous à 300 mètres de Monotel NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 20 34 37 44 (+222) 32 01 54 77 touko.clement@yahoo.fr

CLINIQUE DENTAIRE Smile Cabinet Dentaire Tevragh Zeina Route Mokhtar Ould Daddah NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 36 30 13 30 (+222) 34 34 51 51 bouyahmed1@hotmail.com Arabesque Dental Clinique Rue de l'espoir derrière de l’Église NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 98 29 arabesquedentalclinic@gmail.com Maurident Le Monde Dentaire Rue Mohamedel Habib NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 33 00 00 00 cliniquemady@gmail.com Centre Dentaire Orient (Dr. Hussam) Avenue Gamal Abdel Nasser NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 33 32 11 11 dr.housam.arian@gmail.com NeoDent Modern DenXstry 3ème virage à droite après Carrefour Cité Smart NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 34 00 02 02 neo.dent.nouakchoA@gmail.com FB: NeoDent Modern Den\stry Cabinet Dentaire Dr. Lemrabo5 Rue Abdallaye NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 47 90 44 44 doc.lemraboA@gmail.com FB: Cabinet Dentaire Dr. LemraboA Clinique Dentaire Mady Avenue Gemal Abdel Nasser à côté du carrefour BMD 2586 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 22 33 66 07 (+222) 26 16 53 57

clinique.mady@gmail.com FB: Clinique Dentaire Mady

TRANSPORT ET LOGISTIQUE CMA CGM Immeuble du Stade Olympique NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 67 70 nkt.shamidi@cma-cgm.com www.cma-cgm.com Ceva LogisXcs Ilot K – Lot 10803 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 42 50 50 40 Thierry.Azema@Cevalogis\cs.com www.cevalogis\cs.com/ SOGECO Route de l´aéroport, NouakchoA NouakchoA – Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 27 40 sogeco@sogeco-sa.mr www.sogecosa.com Maersk Line Mauritanie Avenue du General de Gaulle. En face de Orabank BP: 236 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 29 93 00 maulog@maersk.com www.maerskline.com Sonef Transport Voyageurs Mauritanie El Mina 6ème À côté Hospital Diabé\que NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 46 50 89 89 (+222) 43 46 43 20 sonef.rim@gmail.com AGS Movers (REMOVAL COMPANY) Zi du Ksar,Lot 71 BP3936 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 99 40 (+222) 46 58 25 55 direc\on-mauritanie@agsmovers.com www.agsmovers.com

AGENCES IMMOBILIÈRES Dioukha Agence Immobilière BP. 6651 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 26 78 91 49 diadouhagroupe@gmail.com FB: @DIAOUHA.AGENCE.IMMOBILIERE

Agence Zemmour Immobilière En face du Siège Social de la Chinguitel - Tevragh Zeina NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 29 06 03 (+222) 36 30 30 92 hamadabbcis64@yahoo.fr Agence Immobilièr Tijirit Route Nouadhibou - en face CNAM NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 46 78 78 58 FB: Agence Immobilier NouakchoA Standing Immobilières Rue Aboubekr Seddigh NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 26 41 57 58 FB: Agence Immobilier Standing Immobilières

LOCATION DE VOITURES Europcar Airport Terminal, BP: 791 NouakchoA – Mauritanie (+222) 47 39 39 39 europcarmauritanie@gmail.com www.europcar.com LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP Hertz Rue de Nouadhibou NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 04 52 15 550 medvall@hertz.com

www.hertz.com LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP Sixte Mauritanie Avenue, Al Houriya - Hôtel Azalai - Zone Tevragh Zeina NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 71 72 info@sixtemauritanie.com www.sixtemauritanie.com Rim Rental Avenue Moktar Ould Daddah à côté restaurant Ezeitoun NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 36 26 59 91 (+222) 27 26 59 91 hassenkhairani@yahoo.com Time for Mauritanie Rue Hannoune Ould Boucif NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 48 17 55 53 \meformauritania@yahoo.com \meformauritania.com

AGENCES DE VOYAGES Time For Mauritania Tour Operator Rue Hennoune Ould Bouccif NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 48 17 55 53 \meformauritania@yahoo.com \meformauritania.com Chingui5y voyages BP : 303 NouakchoA -Mauritanie -rue 67-234 ksar NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 25 01 00 08 info@chinguiAy-voyages.mr www.chinguiAy-voyages.mr DUN'AIR Avenue Moktar Ould Daddah - BP1931 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 15 36 dunair@dunair.mr www.dunair.mr

Tenadi Tours Rue de I'Hötel Halima NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 29 42 91 (+222) 36 33 89 00 info@tenadi.com www.tenadi.com Amatlich Tours Tevragh Zeina Avenue Moktar Ould Daddah NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 20 42 43 42 info@amatlichtours.mr amatlichtours.mr

Royal Air Maroc Avenue Charles de Gaulle Angle Avenue de L'unité Na\onale NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 30 94 (+222) 45 25 35 64 ramnouakchoA@royalairmaroc.com www.royalairmaroc.mr Air France Avenue Al Quds - BP662 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 18 08 Contact through Landing Page www.airfrance.ml/mr

SUPERMARCHÉS Mauricenter Supermarché 119, Boulevard Mokhtar Ould Daddah- Carrefour Cité SMAR NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 36 64 16 14 Tata Galerie Avenue Charles de Gaulle NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 29 38 39 contact@galerietata.com galerietata.com 28 Novembre

Rue de I ‘Ambassade du Sénégal NouakchoA - Mauritanie

Sky Rim Market Avenue Moktar Ould Daddah NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 12 61 Bon Prix Route des Ambassades - en face Stade Olympique NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 20 96 96 97 bonprix@gmail.com

CONSULTANCY ET AVOCATS

Hades ConsulXng Avenue Moctar Ould Daddah, Rue n° 2601 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 37 18 info@hades.consul\ng www.hades.consul\ng

LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP Exco GHA- Mauritanie N°80 Ilot C, Rue 26-014 KSAR-Ouest – BP489 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 30 61 youssoupha.diallo@excoafrique.com www.bsdassocies.net Willis Towers Watson BP 2713, Quar\er Tevragh Zeina NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 29 19 29 www.willistowerswatson.com

GAH Avocats Avenue Gamal Abdel – Nasser, Immeuble BMCI 5 Etage - App 501 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 29 57 15 cabinet@gahavocats.com www.gahavocats.com

Cheikhany Jules Law Office E. Nord 504 Palais des Congrès BP: 40034 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 28 91 lawoffice@cheikhany.com www.cheikhany.com/ Mauritanie Avocats Associés EL Hadj Oumar TALL BP105 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 24 30 30 associes@avocat-mr.com www.avocat-mr.com Brahim Ebety BP: 2570 – Socogim – Ksar 141 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 16 07 hamdyfr@yahoo.fr Abdel Kader Old Med Said En face École État-major Na\onal NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 36 30 30 31 abdelkaderhamad@gmail.com Abdellahi SEYIDI Immeuble BMCI – Appartement 502 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 36 30 35 00 maitreseyidi@yahoo.fr Sidi O. Taleb Boubacar BP : 2939 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 46 41 11 67 (+222) 22 41 11 67 stboubacar@hotmail.com Etude Nour Lilmphama5 Immeuble U20 3etage appartement 31 Av. Gamal Abdel Nasser BP : 6867 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 11 75 etudehindy@yahoo.fr TAXIS Car App

NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 28 58 28 58 Abdul Taxi NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 36 20 33 40 Alló Taxi NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 37 61 00 12 Farra taxi NouakchoA – Mauritanie Fallou taxi NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 46 99 03 70

SALONS DE BEAUTÉ Pink Belleza Beauty Longe Spa and Organic Shop Avenue Mokhtar Ould daddah, à côté de la télévision mauritanienne NouachoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 24 52 48 Instagram: @pinkbelleza

Centre Saviya Aziz de beauté (Hammam) leksar et Tevrahg Zeina, 00222 NouachoA - Mauritanie (+222) 36 11 59 50 cbeautefa@yahoo.fr FB: centre saviya aziz pour la beauté Chez Diodio Marche du Caire NouachoA - Mauritanie (+222) 37 31 88 43 FB: @ SALONS DE BEAUTE diodiocoiffure

Kashmir Beauty Nouakcho5 Avenue Moctar Ould Daddah NouachoA - Mauritanie (+222) 31 02 58 08 kashmir-beauty-nouakchoA.business.site/

InsXtut de Beauté La Sirène À côté de Big Market NouachoA - Mauritanie (+222) 41 26 87 78 raliciadiaw@hotmail.com FB: Ins\tut de Beauté La Sirène NouakchoA Tunisia Beauty Center Abboubekr Seddigh NouachoA - Mauritanie (+222) 33 25 20 20 FB: @tunisiabeautycenter Haman Nila Route Nouadhibou NouachoA - Mauritanie (+222) 36 82 33 59 FB: @Hamam Nila

RESTAURANTS TIMELESS Rue Yasser Arafat NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222 ) 45 24 24 06 \meless.nkt@gmail.com FB:@TimelessNouakchoA LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP A casa portuguesa 581 Tevrah Zeina A, B.P: 22581 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 36 34 79 86 acasaportuguesa@hotmail.com FB: A Casa Portuguesa LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP

TAFARIT Sun House En face Sta\on Star du Stade Olympique NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 44 18 18 68 Kahtanlehaf@hotmail.com FB: TAFARIT sun house LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP PALAZIO

Tevragh Zeina NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 44 18 18 69 palacio.rim@gmail.com FB: @palacio.nkc La Medina Restaurant A cote Carrefour - Ambassade de France NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 41 99 75 15 opera\ons.manager@amgroupe.es restaurantelamedina.com Al Fantasia Avenue du Palais des Congres NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 47 60 13 13 contact@restaurantalfantasia.com www.restauranalfantasia.com Le Maquis Rue Benhmeida NouakchoA – Mauritanie (+222) 36 40 51 05 FB: Le Maquis - NouakchoA O’ Délice Fast Food Route de Nouadhibou, en face de la CNAM NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 42 04 06 36 FB: @odelice

Sapcan Catering Restaurant Ilot Nº 125, Quar\er Las Palmas NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 38 39 69 00 FB: Sapcan Catering Restaurant

CINEMAS CINEPARC Cineparc, Ribat Al Bahr, NouakchoA – Mauritanie (+222) 37 73 80 18 contact@ribat-cinepar.com www.ribat-cineparc.com

Salle Jamie Ravetz Cité plage Ilot 163 Tavragh Zeina NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 41 02 88 19 studioholpac@gmail.com www.studioholpac.com

COURIER EXPRESS FedEx Mauritanie 56 Charles De Gaulle TVZ. NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 29 37 30 contact@na\onalexpressmr.com www.fedex.com LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP DHL Express Mauritania Boulevard Median Nouadhibou - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 47 06 adelgallao@gmail.com www.dhl.com TNT Express Ets Groupe Azize. 56 Avenue du General de Gaulle, Socogim Teveragh Zeina NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222)36 11 33 90 ouldabdelaziz95@yahoo.com www.tnt.com Mauripost Avenue Gamal Abdel Nasser Rue Ministère BP 10000 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 72 27 mauripost@mauripost.mr www.mauripost.mr EMS Mauritanie BP: 1238 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 37 70 / 45 25 16 49 ems.mauritanie@laposte.net www.laposte.net

Groupe Azizi BP: 40031 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 56 56 contact@groupeazizi.com www.groupeazizi.com

AGENCES DE COMMUNICATION

Doumes Easy Services Avenue Boubacar Ben Amer Socogim Ksar N°94 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 25 06 43 43 contacts@deasyservices.com LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP 6eme Sens CommunicaXon Ilot O N° 63 Tevragh Zeina NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 46 57 57 02 6msenscom@gmail.com moulayenajim@gmail.com www.6msens.com 3DTube TVZ, Rue Mamadou Konté. Ilot Z 0030 N°8 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 41 12 36 16 www.3dcube-rim.com Crea Comm Ilot Z 0023/ BP: 3306 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 66 85 contact@creamauritanie.net contact.creacom1@gmail.com www.creamauritanie.net Blue Agence de CommunicaXon Alioune Ben Ebi Taleb NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 24 01 02 info@agenceblue.com Bu5erfly

Zrb 430 - BP: 1272 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 24 36 58 Dg@buAerfly.mr responsable.com@buAerfly.mr www.agencebuAerfly.com

CRÉATION DE SITE INTERNET Doumes Easy Services Avenue Boubacar Ben Amer Socogim Ksar N°94 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 25 06 43 43 contacts@deasyservices.com LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP Studio Design 500. Ilot ZRB - Tevragh Zeina NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 32 37 31 38 FB: @Studio Design Crea Comm Ilot Z 0023/ BP: 3306 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 66 85 contact@creamauritanie.net contact.creacom1@gmail.com www.creamauritanie.net

HOPITAUX ET CLINIQUES Hôpital Ophtalmologique de la FondaXon Bouamatou Avenue Moctar Ould Dadda. BP: 786 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 29 73 78 (+222) 45 25 65 51 dahanfond@yahoo.fr fonda\onbouamatou.com/

LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP

NaXonal Hospital Center Avenue Jamal Abdel Nasser - 612 HOPINA MNT NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 21 35

(+222) 36 62 39 22 contacts@chn.mr hAp://www.chn.mr/ Clinique Ibn Sina Devant de l’Hôtel Iman NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 08 88 Clinque Chiva Sud de la Stade Olympique NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222)22 34 24 29 Centre NaXonal de Cardiologie Carrefour Sabah NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 25 50 contact@cnc.mr www.cnc.mr/

MEDIAS Télévision de Mauritanie Avenue Moktar Ould Daddah NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 43 43 07 11 tvm@tvm.mr www.tvm.mr Radio Mauritanie Rue Mohamed Lemine Sakho NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 93 94 www.radiomauritanie.mr Sahara Media Nouakcho5 Ilot K- 4 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 51 81 booking@saharamedias.net www.saharamedias.net Mauritanian News Agency - AMI Kasr 1540, 006-22, Habib Bou Rugiba NouakchoA - Mauritanie

(+222) 40 29 4525 (+222) 70 29 45 25 (+222) 16 29 4525 www.ami.mr Agence Nouakcho5 d'InformaXon (ANI) B.P: 1905 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 02 71 agenceani@yahoo.fr www.ani.mr Cridem Tevragh Zeina NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 33 33 35 98 cridem.webmaster@gmail.com www.cridem.org

ECOLES ET JARDINS DES EFANTS Le PeXt Centre extension Ilot K NouakchoA -Mauritanie (+222) 45 29 89 20 (+222) 45 29 73 34 (+222) 45 29 73 34 lepe\tcentre-extension.com École des Cadres Ilot-k Extension 3 NouakchoA -Mauritanie (+222) 45 24 33 33 (+222) 33 04 61 19 direc\on.edc@gmail.com www.ecoledescadres.net American InternaXonal School of Mauritania US Embassy B.P: 3107 NouakchoA -Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 29 67 (+222) 32 17 86 23 director@aisnmauritania.com www.aisnmauritania.com

TLC InternaXonal School Rue Chrif Ahmed Ould Abderrahmane NouakchoA -Mauritanie (+222) 46 04 15 32 tlcmauritania@gmail.com www.tlcmauritania.com

DISTRIBUTION D’EAU ET ÉLECTRICITÉ La Société NaXonale d'Eau - SNDE Rue de I Ambassade du Sénégal. BP: 796 NouakchoA -Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 22 70 (+222) 45 25 23 31 Celullemarches.snde@yahoo.com Dg.snde@yahoo.com www.snde.mr

La Société Mauritanienne d'Electricité - SOMELEC 47, Avenue de l’Indépendance BP 355 NouakchoA -Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 41 71 somelec@somelec.mr www.somelec.mr

SALLES DE CONFERENCES Tfeila Hôtel Avenue Charles de Gaulle. BP: 40157 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 74 00 info@hotelLeila.com www.hotelLeila.com LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP

Nouakcho5 Hôtel Avenue Moctar Ould Daddah, Block 1; Stade Olympique de NouakchoA NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 25 00 00 30 (+222) 25 00 00 31 (+222) 25 00 00 32 reserva\on@nouakchoAhotel.com

contact@nouakchoAhotel.com www.nouakchoAhotel.com LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP

Monotel - Dar El Barka Zone des Ambassades B.P. 1336 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 24 23 33 contact@monotel-mr.com www.monotel-mr.com

Al Khaima Hôtel 10 BP 5219, Rue Mamadou Konate, NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 24 43 95 (+222) 45 24 00 12 hotel@alkhaimacitycenter.com www.alkhaimacitycenter.com

Salle de conférence Chingui\ 1 - Mauricenter Hotel Avenue Moctar Daddah Rond Point Cite Smar, BP. 3469 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 27 09 25 96 info@hotelmauricenter.com www.hotelmauricenter.com

NET ET OPERATEURS DE RESEAU MOBILE Mauritel 563, Avenue du Roi Fayçal, BP : 7000 NouakchoA -Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 76 00 webmaster@eljawal.mr www.mauritel.mr LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP Chinguitel Rue Yasser Arafat NouakchoA -Mauritanie (+222) 20 00 24 60 chinguitel@chinguitel.mr www.chinguitel.mr Ma5el

Avenue Moctar Ould Daddah - ZRF NB 858A NouakchoA -Mauritanie (+222) 36 17 12 12 (+222) 45 29 53 54 contact@maAel.mr www.maAel.mr

IMPRIMERIES Dar El Ichha Rue Mohamedel Habib, NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 41 61 77 81 darelichhar.com www.darelichhar.com Digital Print Avenue du Roi Faiçal NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 36 20 37 70 contact@digiprint-mr.com digitprint-mr.com

SERVICES DE SÉCURITÉ G4S Mauritanie Avenue Moktar Ould Daddah, NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 29 57 58 (+222) 22 80 65 05 resourcing@africar.4sg www.g4s.com MSS Sécurité Bureau Tevragh-Zeina NOT 667 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 46 97 71 83 info@mss.us mss.us Argus Security Mauritanie Tevragh-Zeina, ilot A 534 NouakchoA - Mauritanie

(+222) 42 00 11 17 info@aspgroup.com www.aspgroup.com MSP Taxi NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 80 00 16 16 www.msp-taxi.com

SPORT CLUB MAG Rue 44-067 TVZ Derrière Ambassade Afrique du Sud NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 36 77 88 68 Bomaye GYM Derrière le cinéma Saada NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 48 10 39 32 Gaza Gym La route passant entre le carrefour cite SMAR et l'hôpital ophtalmologue OULD BOUAAMATOU NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 36 60 60 78 Total Fitness Club PK7, en face de la sta\on d’essence NP NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 41 73 52 92 California GYM Tvz 419 Tevrag Zeina NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 46 46 02 12

SOCIÉTÉS D’ASSURANCE Damane Assurances BP: 5080 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 46 80 45 45 medjeireb@damaneassurances.com www.damane-assurances.com

LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP MAR Assurances Avenue Boubacar Ben Amer NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 24 12 18 mar@mar-assur.com www.mar-assur.mr LOGO / RECOMMENDED STAMP NASR NaXonale d'assurance et de réassurance 12 Avenue G.A. Nasser NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 26 50 sidibaba@nasr.mr CNAM Caisse NaXonale d'Assurance Maladie Autoroute Nouadhibou NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 02 20 43 www.cnam.mr TAAMIN Assurances BP: 5164 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 4529 40 00 info@assurancestaamin.com www.assurancestaamin.com

ÉCOLES DE LANGUES AFM Alliance Afro Mauritanien Villa 097 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 31 48 infos@afmauritanie.org www.annalindhfounda\on.org InsXtut De Langue Française à Nouakcho5 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 49 46 64 04 ilfn@mauritanie.com FB: @Ins\tut De Langue Française à NouakchoA Sahara English Verse la Clinique Kissy

NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 46 78 23 43 saharaenglish@gmail.com FB : Sahara English Centre d’Anglais Intensif (IEC) F Nord ZF 203, Tevragh-Zeina NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 45 25 82 87 iec.infos@gmail.com FESAD - Centre Espagnol Côté Hôtel Tfeila 26212260 NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 46 22 22 60 nkt@selefesad.org BUREAUX DE CHANGE Western Union and Moneygram NouakchoA -Mauritanie (+222) 33 96 81 70 El Mourabitoune Change SA Ilot Z n°11 Charles de Gaulle NouakchoA -Mauritanie (+222) 22 04 21 53 El Mithagh Change Rue Mamadou Konaté ILOT 05 NouakchoA -Mauritanie (+222) 36 38 36 36 Africa Change Ilot P n° 17 Charles de gaulle NouakchoA -Mauritanie (+222) 36 15 94 46 Cambistes Associes Ilot Z n°23 Charles de gaulle NouakchoA -Mauritanie (+222) 46 45 91 96

INSPECTION / EXPEDITION SGS BP 5556 - 126, rue 42-098

NouakchoA - Mauritanie (+222) 25 25 46 32 (+222) 25 25 46 33 Contact from website. www.sgs.com

INVESTMENT AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK Cadre Légal Investissements en Mauritanie Généralités L'économie mauritanienne est dominée par les industries extractives (pétrole et mines), la pêche, l'élevage, l'agriculture et les services. La moitié de la population dépend toujours de l'agriculture et de l'élevage. Récemment le PIB a croisé, notamment en raison des investissements étrangers dans le secteurs minier et pétrolier.

Les vastes ressources minérales de la Mauritanie comprennent le minerai de fer, l'or, le cuivre, le gypse et la roche phosphatée, et l'exploration se poursuit pour le tantale, l'uranium, le pétrole brut et le gaz naturel. Les matières premières extractives représentent environ les trois quarts des exportations totales de la Mauritanie, soumettant l'économie aux fluctuations des prix sur les marchés mondiaux des matières premières. L'exploitation minière est également une source croissante de recettes publiques. Les eaux côtières du pays sont parmi les zones de pêche les plus riches du monde, et la pêche représente environ 15% des recettes budgétaires, 45% des revenus en devises. La Mauritanie traite un total de 1 800 000 tonnes de poisson par an, mais la surexploitation par les flottes étrangères et nationales menace la durabilité de cette source clé de revenus.

L'économie est très sensible aux prix internationaux des produits alimentaires et des produits extractifs. D'autres risques pour l'économie mauritanienne comprennent ses sécheresses récurrentes, sa dépendance à l'égard de l'aide et des investissements étrangers et l'insécurité au Mali voisin, ainsi que des pénuries importantes d'infrastructures, de capacités institutionnelles et de capital humain.

La Mauritanie progresse régulièrement en matière de climat des affaires. Elle a gagné à peu près 20 places depuis le classement 2016 du rapport Doing Business de la Banque Mondiale, atteignant la 152e position sur 190 économies du rapport 2020. L’investissement dans l’agriculture et les infrastructures a été la principale composante des dépenses publiques du pays dans les années passées. Les perspectives invitent à l’optimisme : les revenus potentiels qui seront générés par l’exploitation gazière devraient avoir comme résultat (si des reformes pour garantir la gouvernance publique se mettent en œuvre) des grandes sommes publiques à réinjecter dans l’économie par l’État.

Climat des Affaires et historique La Mauritanie a entrepris de nombreuses réformes au cours des deux dernières décennies afin d’améliorer l’environnement des affaires en Mauritanie. Ainsi, le pays a mis en œuvre plusieurs politiques et réformes afin d’encourager les investissements étrangers : la création de pôles de développement, et la mise à jour du code du commerce, du code des investissements, ou la création d’un guichet unique des entreprises ainsi que d’un centre d’arbitrage ou de la zone franche de Nouadhibou illustrent la politique gouvernementale en vue d’attirer plus d’investissements étrangers.

Le pays dispose de ressources naturelles attirant beaucoup d’investissements étrangers tels que la pêche, l’exploration pétrolière ou minière. Cependant elle dispose d’un fort potentiel à développer notamment en ce qui concerne l’agriculture et l’élevage, le tourisme, le commerce et les services industriels ou tertiaires.

La Mauritanie a réalisé une croissance soutenue durant les 5 dernières années et de par sa position offre aussi un accès privilégié aux marchés de la CDEAO, de l’UMA, de l’UE et des USA en raison des différents accords dont elle dispose. Elle est aussi un pays membre de l’OMC. Réglementation des Investissements Le cadre juridique mauritanien est favorable à l'initiative privée et le pays est ouvert aux investissements étrangers. La Constitution garantit le droit de propriété́, la liberté́ du commerce et de l'industrie.

Le code des investissements garantit la liberté́ d'établissement à toute personne physique ou morale désireuse d'investir en Mauritanie dans le respect de la règlementation en vigueur. Le code ne prévoit pas de restrictions à la liberté́ d'investir pour les étrangers. Les secteurs des hydrocarbures, mines, assurance et banque sont toutefois exclus du champ d'application du code. Ils sont par contre soumis à des règlementations sectorielles qui n'imposent pas de restrictions à l'entrée des investisseurs étrangers, si ce n'est que l'investissement dans ces secteurs est soumis à un agrément préalable. Cette restriction est également applicable aux investisseurs nationaux. Ainsi, les conditions pour l'obtention d'un agrément dans le secteur minier et des hydrocarbures sont identiques pour les investisseurs étrangers et nationaux.

Il n’y a pas de secteur fermé à l'investissement étranger mais des restrictions dans certains secteurs comme la pêche où seul les mauritaniens sont autorisés à disposer d’un quai de pêche ou l’eau ou l’électricité qui restent de la compétence de sociétés nationales.

Loi d’investissements Le code des investissements prévoit trois régimes privilégiés qui bénéficient d’incitations : • La catégorie des entreprises régies par le régime des petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) qui s’applique à tout investissement inférieur à 20 millions d’ouguiya (570k USD approx) et générant au moins 10 emplois directs. Ces investissements bénéficient d’avantages fiscaux et douaniers pendant la phase d’installation limitée à trois ans et pendant la phase d’exploitation : o Pendant la phase d'installation limitée à trois (3) ans : § paiement de 3,5% de droit fiscal à l'importation à l'exclusion de tout autre droit • ou taxe payable au cordon douanier sur les biens d'équipement dont la liste des

produits éligibles est fixée par Arrêté du Ministre des Finances; •

§ ExonérationdelaTaxesurlesOpérationsFinancières(TOF)surlesproduits de crédits de premier investissement ou d'extension d'activités contractés auprès des banques et d'établissements financiers, dans le cadre de conventions de financement à moyen et long terme.

o Pendant la phase d'exploitation : § Paiement de 3,5% de droit fiscal à l'importation à l'exclusion de tout autre droit • ou taxe payable au cordon douanier sur les biens d'équipement dont la liste des produits éligibles est fixée par Arrêté du Ministre des Finances, ainsi que sur les pièces de rechange reconnaissables comme leur étant destinés.

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§ Les intrants industriels sont soumis aux taux inscrits au tarif douanier durant toute la période d'agrément.

• Le régime des entreprises installées dans « les Zones économiques spéciales ». Ce régime comprend deux types d’entreprises : celles établies dans les zones franches d’exportation et les entreprises installées hors de Nouakchott et qui visent le développement régional. Les entreprises établies dans les zones franches sont soumises à la perception de l'impôt sur les bénéfices au taux du régime de droit commun. Les pertes seront reportées sur les cinq exercices suivants.

o Les entreprises ayant investi au moins 50 millions Ouguiya (1,4M USD approx) et générant au moins 50 emplois permanents dans les zones franches et qui justifient d'un potentiel d'exportation d'au moins 80% sont exonérées des impôts liés au personnel embauché (à l'exclusion des cotisations à la sécurité sociale) et des contributions foncières minucipales: o Les entreprises établies dans les zones franches bénéficient : § de la franchise totale de droits et taxes douanier à l'importation des biens d'équipement, matériels, véhicules utilitaires destinés à la production (la liste des biens éligibles est fixée par Arrêté du Ministre des Finances). § de l'exonération de droits et taxes de douanes à l'exportation. o Les produits finis à écouler sur le marché intérieur sont soumis au paiement des droits et taxes de douanes. Cette procédure se fera conformément à la réglementation douanière en vigueur.

• Le régime des conventions d’Établissement avec l’État. Ce régime est une nouveauté du dernier code qui vise les investissements d’une grande ampleur (de 50 millions à 500 millions MRU et qui visent la création entre 20 et 500 emplois directs et 50 et 2000 emplois indirects) dans sept larges secteurs limitativement énumérés de l’économie nationale qui sont: (i) l’agriculture, (ii) la transformation des produits de l’élevage, (iii) la transformation à terre des produits de la pêche industrielle à l’exception de la farine de poissons, (iv) la pêche artisanale et côtière, (v) les unités industrielles et manufacturières, (vi) la production d’énergie renouvelable éolienne et solaire et (vii) l’hôtellerie et le tourisme hors de

Nouakchott. Les conditions d'installation ainsi que les avantages spécifiques à consentir sont définis dans le cadre d'une Convention négociée avec les départements compétents en relation avec le Ministère des Affaires Économiques et du Développement et le Ministère des Finances. Les Conventions d'Établissement sont consenties pour une période de 20 ans.

Modalités d’investissements (partenariat local, livre investissement extérieur) Il n’y a pas de secteurs fermés aux investissements étrangers, bien au contraire il y a des incitations générales à l’investissement. Cependant, des limitations sont établies : seul une personne de nationalité mauritanienne peut disposer d’un quai de pêche ; la vente de l’eau et de l’électricité reste l’exclusivité du domaine de sociétés nationales et il faut prévoir une part de capital pour l’État Mauritanien dans le cadre des activités minières, pétrolières ou gazières (de 10% à 20%). Certaines activités nécessitent une autorisation préalable du gouvernement (hydrocarbures, mines, eau, électricité, pêche,...)

Dans des secteurs protégés, le partenariat avec un associé mauritanien est impératif (i.e. pour avoir le droit au drapeau mauritanien, un bateau de pêche doit être propriété au moins à 51% d’une personne physique mauritanienne ou d’une société dont le capital est détenu au moins à 51% par des personnes de nationalité mauritanienne ; une société de sécurité/gardiennage doit forcément être dirigée par un ancien militaire mauritanien).

Secteur plus propice à l’investissement étranger Les secteurs les plus propices à l’investissement ces dernières années sont les hydrocarbures, les mines, la pêche. Cependant la Mauritanie est un pays en pleine expansion où il y a encore beaucoup de secteurs à développer comme l’agriculture, l’élevage ou le tourisme. Dans la perspective d’une transformation et modernisation urbaine progressive et profonde qui seront probablement produites dans les années à venir, des secteurs clés du BTP continueront à se développer : construction en hauteur, assainissement, voirie, etc.

Exigences : ouverture d’un établissement de droit mauritanien Le développement des activités en Mauritanie est prévu sous réserve de la création d’une entité de droit mauritanien pour toute activité menée sur le territoire sur plus de six (6) mois. Les formes juridiques plus utilisés sont les formes traditionnelles du droit continental : Société Anonyme, Société à Responsabilité Limitée, Société en Comandite, Succursale d’une société de droit non-mauritanien, etc. Certains secteurs d’activité doivent faire l’objet d’un agrément ou d’une autorisation préalable (eau, électricité, mines, hydrocarbures, zone franche de Nouadhibou...).

La création d’une entité de droit mauritanien a subi des reformes dans les années précédent. L’amélioration du système, la simplification de la procédure et la capacité ultérieur de maîtriser les données économiques ont été des points de départ pour les reformes mises en œuvre dans la décennie de 2010 avec financement (notamment) de la Banque Mondiale. Ainsi, la création des entités de droit mauritanien est centralisée par un Guichet Unique.

Fiscalité Les sociétés commerciales en Mauritanie sont soit au régime du bénéfice réel normal (BRN) pour les sociétés ayant un chiffre d’affaire supérieur à 5 millions d’ouguiyas (MRU)

ou soit au régime du bénéfice réel intermédiaire pour les sociétés ayant un chiffre d’affaire inférieur à 5 millions d’ouguiyas (MRU).

Les principaux impôts auxquels sont soumis les sociétés commerciales sont les suivants : !"

Impôt sur les Sociétés (IS) : § BRN : le plus haut entre 25% du résultat net ou 2% des produits imposables avec un minimum de perception de 100.000 MRU ; § BRI : le plus haut entre 25% du résultat net ou 2,5% des produits imposables Payable en 3 tranches le 31 mars (40%), le 30 juin (30%) et le 30 septembre (30%). #" Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutée (TVA) : les sociétés réalisant un chiffre d’affaires supérieur à 3 millions (MRU) sont assujetties à la TVA. Les taux sont de 16% au droit commun, 18% pour les télécommunications et 20% pour les produits pétroliers.

Payable le 15 du mois suivant.

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Retenues à la source : § Régime Simplifié d’Imposition (RSI : non-résidents) : 15%

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§ Retenue IBAPP (IBAPP : personnes physiques résidentes) : 2,5%

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§ Impôt sur les Revenus Fonciers (IRF : loyers) : 10%

$"

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§ Contribution Foncière sur Propriétés Bâties (CFPB : loyers) : 8% à Nouakchott taux variant de 3 à 10% selon la région.

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§ Impôt sur les Traitements et Salaires (ITS): 15% en dessous de 9 000 MRU, 25% jusqu’à 21 000 MRU ou 40% au-dessus de 21 000 MRU selon le salaire ;

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§ Impôt sur le Revenu des Capitaux Mobiliers (IRCM) :10% Stimulants et avantages fiscaux Diverses incitations et avantages fiscaux sont prévus dans le cadre du code des mines ou des hydrocarbures, du code des investissements, de la zone franche de Nouadhibou ou dans le cadre des Partenariats Public-Privé (PPP).

Report eBiz Guides 5 V200127.03

Zones franches Outre que le régime des zones franches d’exportations, un régime de zone franche a été mise en place à Nouadhibou depuis 2013. Les entreprises agréées et enregistrées à la zone franche bénéficient d’un régime fiscal, social, douanier et de change spécial. La loi de la zone franche prévoit plusieurs régimes : les conventions spéciales, les entreprises éligibles et les entreprises prioritaires. Peuvent bénéficier du régime de la zone franche les entreprises, leurs succursales et leurs établissements fixes agréés : • a) qui exercent ou qui créent des activités éligibles à l'intérieur de la zone franche, sous réserve d'être enregistrés auprès de l'Autorité de la Zone Franche ;

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b) qui créent des activités prioritaires au sein d'une zone de développement, sous réserve de l'obtention d'un agrément délivré par l'Autorité.

Les activités exercées par une entreprise agréée hors de la zone franche, sur le reste du territoire national, restent soumises aux dispositions du régime du droit commun et doivent être déclarées de façon distincte aux administrations concernées.

Les développeurs, les opérateurs et les entreprises agréées bénéficient, d'un régime spécifique : le régime de la zone franche, qui constitue un régime des changes, social, douanier et fiscal particulier dérogatoire du régime de droit commun. Au titre des activités agréées exercées dans la zone franche, les entreprises agréées sont soumises aux impôts et redevances suivants, à l'exclusion de toute autre imposition : § Impôt sur les bénéfices industriels et commerciaux (IS) o Exercice 0-7 : Exonération totale ; o Exercice 8-15 : Taux réduit de sept pour cent (7%) ; o Exercice 16 et après : Taux de droit commun de vingt-cinq pour cent (25%) ; § Impôt sur les traitements et salaires • Régime de droit commun. Plafonné à 20% pour les travailleurs expatriés, salariés des entreprises prioritaires.

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§ Fiscalité locale Les entreprises éligibles restent soumises aux taxes et impôts locaux.

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§ Redevance d'administration Les entreprises agréées sont soumises à une redevance d'administration, assise sur leur chiffre d'affaires annuel réalisé dans la zone franche au titre des activités couvertes par leur enregistrement ou agrément, comme il suit :

o 2 % du chiffre d'affaires pour les entreprises éligibles, o 0% du chiffre d'affaires pour les entreprises prioritaires. § Douanes L'ensemble du territoire de la zone franche de Nouadhibou constitue un territoire douanier particulier, séparé du territoire douanier national, dans lequel les marchandises qui y sont introduites sont considérées comme n'étant pas sur le territoire douanier au regard des droits et taxes à l'importation et à l'exportation.

Les marchandises introduites dans la zone franche provenant de l'étranger ou du territoire douanier mauritanien sont exonérées de tous droits, taxes et redevances à l'importation,

ainsi que de tous droits, redevances, taxes et impôts, y compris la taxe sur la valeur ajoutée, perçus au titre des opérations d'importation et de contrôle des marchandises.

Pourtant, les marchandises qui sont introduites dans le territoire douanier mauritanien depuis la zone franche sont soumises au régime prévu par la législation douanière en vigueur, ce qui limite le spectre de territorialité des opérations des sociétés agrées à la zone franche, qui sont censées s’acquitter de tous les taxes et impôts à l’importation si elles opèrent dans le reste du territoire mauritanien.

L'État garantit aux entreprises agréées la stabilité des conditions fiscales applicables à leur investissement pendant une période de vingt (20) ans à compter de la date de notification de leur enregistrement ou agrément.

La Zone Franche de Nouadhibou n’a pas trouvé le succès promis et attendu, ce qui est certifié par le faible volume de sociétés agrées. Des motifs évoqués par certains opérateurs pour décider de ne pas s’adhérer au régime de la zone franche ont été : • (1) Le cout fiscal. Le régime de la zone franche devient à long terme plus couteux fiscalement que le régime de droit commun. Effectivement, au-delà de la période temporaire de réduction de l’impôt de sociétés, et lorsque celui est dû au régime de droit commun, la charge fiscale (impot de sociétés + redevance de zone franche) devient plus couteuse qu’au régime commun (impôt de sociétés) ; Solution proposée : prolongation sine die du taux réduit de l’impôt de sociétés (7%) après le huitième exercice.

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(2) La taille du marché. Les avantages douanières et fiscales se limitent aux activités dont le consommateur est situé dans la ville de Nouadhibou ou en dehors la Mauritanie. L’application du régime du droit commun pour les ventes ou prestations à destination du territoire mauritanien limitent le marché, qui ne devient rentable ni potentiellement lucratif, puisque Nouadhibou en termes de marché reste un petit pôle de consommation. Solution proposée : suppression du cordon douanier pour les prestations de service et les bien provenant de la Zone Franche de Nouadhibou.

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(3) Le prix de l’énergie. Les prix actuels du marché énergétique en Mauritanie, qui la situent comme un des plus chères de toute la région font que Nouadhibou soit loin d’être considéré comme concurrentiel pour développer des activités industrielles, de production, et de nature à dépendre d’une forte utilisation électrique. Bien que le problème historique des pannes dans le réseau électrique est en cours d’être réglée moyennant la construction d’une centrale éolienne à proximité de la ville, le handicap du prix (fixé par la société publique d’électricité : SOMELEC) constitue un élément très dissuasif. Solution proposée : subvention d’un pourcentage du prix de l’électricité payée par les sociétés agrées au régime de la zone franche.

Création de sociétés commerciales Dans le cadre des réformes politiques engagées par le Gouvernement, il y a eu ces dernières années la création d’un guichet unique de création des entreprises à Nouakchott et pour la zone franche de Nouadhibou qui a permis de faciliter la création des entreprises en regroupant les différents services nécessaires afin de créer son entreprise en 48h. Dans la pratique, le processus de création prend plutôt entre 6-10 jours.

Règles d'importation et d'exportation Les opérations d’importations et d’exportations sont soumises à un agrément préalable des douanes et doivent faire l’objet de déclaration dans le système douanier (Système automatique de traitement des données douanières (SYDONIA) conformément à la nomenclature de l’OMC en la matière. Les importations font l’objet du paiement de tous

les droits et taxes à l’importation (TVA, redevance statistique...). Les exportations sont exonérées de TVA mais doivent faire l’objet d’un agrément spécial spécifique au produit à exporter envisagé.

Règlements douaniers Le code des douanes est régi par Loi n°2017-035 du 21 décembre 2017 abrogeant et remplaçant la loi 66-145 du 21 juillet 1966. Les tarifs douaniers appliqués sont des droits ad-valorem à l’importation et à l’exportation qui varient entre 5 à 20% de la valeur commercial du bien objet de l’opération.

Dispositions de travail Tout employeur doit, lors de l’ouverture/création de son établissement, s’immatriculer auprès de la Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale et déclarer ses employés lors de leur recrutement. Si la société dispose des employés sous des contrats à durée indéterminée, elle devra aussi s’immatriculer à la Caisse Nationale d’Assurance Maladie. La société devra aussi procéder à une déclaration au niveau de l’Office Nationale de Médecine du Travail ainsi qu’au niveau de l’Inspection du Travail.

Les employés et les employeurs versent trimestriellement des cotisations à la Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale (CNSS) quel que soit le type de contrat et la nationalité du salarié.

Ces cotisations couvrent les trois branches suivantes : • prestations familiales (allocations familiales, allocations prénatales, prime à la naissance et indemnité journalière de maternité) •

risques professionnels (accidents de travail et maladies professionnelles)

•

pensions (pension de vieillesse, anticipée, invalidité et survivant).

Les cotisations à la Caisse Nationale d’Assurance Maladie font aussi l’objet de déclaration et versement trimestriels.

Le recrutement des employés étrangers est subordonné à l’obtention, auprès de l’Administration compétente, d’une autorisation ou d’un permis de travail délivrés dans le cas où les compétences nationales équivalentes ne sont pas disponibles pour les postes à pourvoir. Additionnement, pour les sociétés qui comptent parmi leurs effectifs avec plus de 8 employés, un Plan de mauritanisation devra être accordé avec la Direction de l’Emploi. Ce Plan doit envisager le transfert des compétences et des postes occupés par des étrangers vers des personnes de nationalité mauritanienne d’une manière progressive, tout en prévoyant des activités de formation complémentaires aux tâches professionnels, pour garantir le remplacement des étrangers par ses homologues mauritaniens après une certaine période.

Le régime d’octroi des permis de travail pour les étrangers se sont restreint dans au cours des dernières années, dans une logique publique de promotion de l’emploi et de la formation de la main d’œuvre mauritanienne. En conséquence, l’obtention des permis de travail pour des travailleurs étrangers est devenu beaucoup plus limitée, ce qui empêche parfois le correct déroulement des projets, à l’égard d’un manque de possibilité d’embauche des travailleurs étrangers avec les compétences et les

expériences requises pour les postes, et l’imposition par l’administration mauritanienne du personnel local sans la qualification nécessaire.

• Les agents expatriés travaillant pour les entreprises en conformité avec le Code des investissements bénéficient de certains privilèges, il en est de même sous le code des hydrocarbures ou des mines.

Le contrat de travail pour un étranger est obligatoirement constaté par écrit. Il fait l’objet d’une autorisation de travail, délivrée par la Direction de l’Emploi relavant du Ministère chargé de l’Emploi.

Propriété et accès à la terre Les non mauritaniens peuvent accéder à la terre en Mauritanie par la location, par bail emphytéotique (c’est-à-dire un bail immobilier de longue durée) ou par l’acquisition. Les investisseurs bénéficient de tarifs préférentiels pour la concession de terrains à usage industriel ou commercial.

En Mauritanie, la possession d’un Titre Foncier (TF) d’une concession définitive, ou d’un certificat de propriété confère la propriété légale d’un bien. C'est la Direction Générale des Domaines et du Patrimoine de l’Etat (DGDPE) qui est compétente pour délivrer cette documentation.

Est soumise à la délivrance du titre foncier, toute parcelle dont le propriétaire a déjà réalisé la mise en valeur, conforme à la vocation de la zone. Le titre foncier confère au titulaire un droit de propriété définitif et irrévocable. Il n'est délivré que si le propriétaire de la parcelle est déjà titulaire du permis d'occuper et qu’il a réalisé ses formalités d’inscription sur les livres fonciers du Conservateur de la propriété foncière.

L’immatriculation des immeubles relevant du domaine privé de l’État et celle des immeubles au nom des particuliers est réalisée par le Service de la Conservation Foncière au sein de la Direction Générale des Domaines et du Patrimoine de l’État.

• Le permis d’occuper : est délivré à toute personne ou propriétaire qui en fait la demande accompagnée d’une copie de sa lettre d’attribution authentique, d’une photocopie de son identité et d’un timbre fiscal.

•

Le titre foncier : est délivré à toute personne (ou tout propriétaire) qui en fait la demande et qui a accompli les formalités nécessaires et ayant réalisée une mise en valeur et reçu au préalable un permis de construire, délivré sur la base d'un dossier de conformité soumis par le pétitionnaire et ayant obtenu l'avis favorable des services compétents.

Accords internationaux La Mauritanie est signataire de conventions fiscales (pour éviter, entre autres, la double imposition) avec la France, l’Union du Maghreb Arabe, la Communauté des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest, la Tunisie et l’Algérie. La Mauritanie est aussi signataire des accords de l’OMC et bénéficie pour ses exportations du système généralisé de préférences pour l’UE et les USA dans le cadre de l’ACP et de l’AGOA respectivement.

Garanties principales de l’investissement Les principes suivants sont à la tête des garanties assurées par l’État mauritanien

pour les investisseurs étrangers. Leur application pratique doit être comprise dans le cadre des points mentionnés et développés ci-dessus : •

Garanties de disponibilité de devises ;

•

Garanties de transfert de capitaux ;

•

Égalité de chance et non-discrimination ; Droits et libertés d’entreprise et de propriété ;

•

Emploi du personnel expatrié.

Rapatriement des capitaux Le rapatriement de capitaux est libre après paiement de l’Impôt sur les Sociétés et de l’l’impôt sur le revenu des capitaux mobiliers (IRCM). La liberté de change est garantie par la réglementation bancaire et se fait moyennant les justificatifs documentaires nécessaires aux banques dans le cadre de leur activité (facture ...).

Pourtant, dans la pratique le rapatriement est assujetti à la disponibilité des devises par les banques s ́secondaires, et aussi aux plafonds de transfert hebdomadaires ou bihebdomadaires fixées par ces dernières.

Principales institutions et liens d’intérêt :

•

- Guichet Unique : www.singlewindow.mr

•

- Direction Générale de la promotion du secteur privé : www.investinmauritania.gov.mr

•

- Chambre de Commerce, d'Industrie et d'Agriculture de Mauritanie : www.cimam.mr

•

- Direction Générale des Impôts : www.impots.gov.mr

•

- Caisse Nationale de la Sécurité Sociale (CNSS) : www.cnss.mr

•

- Caisse Nationale d’Assurances maladie (CNAM) : www.cnam.mr

•

- Banque Centrale de Mauritanie : www.bcm.mr

•

- Hades Consulting (Conseil Legal&Tax) : www.hades.consulting

FINANCE SECTOR

Intro Mauritania´s financial sector is still young but starting to show signs of maturity. It has already overcome some of the worst moments of the country´s financial history. As one of the largest iron-ore producers of the world, and rich in minerals, oil and gas, as well as fishery, the country has always been vulnerable to the volatility of commodity prices. But it has also profited from them. In recent years, Mauritania´s economic takeoff and reforms have allowed the financial sector sector to grow mature and stronger.

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF MAURITANIA

Table Tab 5. Mauritania: Banking Soundness 19 5. Ma a a: Ba S I Indicators, a , 2010 2010 19 (In percent, unless otherwise indicated) (in percent, unless otherwise indicated) 2010 Balance sheet Assets / GDP Net private-sector credit / total assets Public enterprise credit / total assets Government securities / total assets Private-sector credit growth (y-o-y) Gross NPLs / gross loans Of which: accrued interest on NPLs / gross loans Of which: legacy NPLs (pre-2010) / gross loans Of which: new NPLs / gross loans Provisions / (gross NPLs - accrued interest) Provisions / loans 360+ days in arrears Deposits / total assets Private-sector gross loans / private-sector deposits

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

31.1 53.2 13.3 18.8 16.0 45.3 11.6 16.7 17.0 30.0 87.7 59.3 118.4

30.9 48.2 10.2 11.1 10.6 39.2 11.5 13.7 14.1 31.2 90.7 60.9 105.9

32.5 50.8 7.2 11.2 15.1 25.7 8.3 13.8 3.6 53.1 88.0 59.1 110.7

35.2 52.1 3.4 5.8 14.9 20.4 7.1 12.8 0.5 52.9 88.8 57.8 113.7

42.5 55.5 6.9 5.8 21.3 23.0 10.1 9.7 0.4 52.5 87.0 61.0 137.7

43.2 57.0 3.3 2.0 8.0 30.0 5.1 9.7 0.4 78.5 93.0 60.8 134.1

45.6 54.9 5.4 2.0 8.3 25.5 7.2 9.7 0.6 63.0 58.0 59.0 110.4

52.5 43.8 5.3 1.0 7.5 22.4 6.0

55.6 41.2 4.7 0.6 19.4 22.6

54.1 41.0 5.3 0.9 12.8 21.5

70.7 72.3 60.2 88.4

77.8

76.1

55.6 94.5

63.2 94.7

16.7 34.0

18.5 35.2

17.5 29.2

18.7 32.4

14.7 28.1

13.7 23.1

14.2 23.7

13.8 22.2

12.9 24.7

18.4 25.3

10.5 112.1 -16.0

10.5 135.2 -32.7

10.5 100.1 -45.9

10.6 106.6 -26.0

10.5 138.6 -70.4

6.7 108.2 -72.7

8.9 116.0 -69.8

12.0 102.5 25.0

10.1 99.5 -32.6

12.0 103.2 -31.8

Profitability and liquidity Return on assets Return on equity Liquid assets / total assets 1/

0.4 2.7 29.5

1.2 6.0 29.7

1.4 8.4 29.8

1.2 6.4 24.0

1.2 6.6 23.5

0.7 5.1 21.4

17.0

24.6

19.6

20.9

Memorandum items: Share of assets held by three largest banks Number of banks

53.7 10

50.7 12

45.4 12

42.3 15

45.7 15

42.0 16

41.0 16

38.8 17

17

18

Capital ratios Capital / total assets Capital adequacy ratio Foreign exchange exposure Fx assets / total assets Fx assets / fx liabilities (on balance sheet) Open fx position / capital (including off balance sheet)

Sources: Mauritanian authorities; and IMF staff.

1/ Liquid assets: cash, reserves, and treasury bills.

History Born around the development of the mining sector, the backbone structure of the financial sector in Mauritania started 13 years after Independence. In 1973, Mauritania withdrew from the Communauté Financière Africain (CFA) and its currency the CFA franc to create its own and independent Central Bank as well as a national currency, the Ouguiyas Foreign capital, mostly from Arab countries, contributed to the early expansion of the financial sector. Years of high commodity prices also provided local groups with enough

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF MAURITANIA

Table Tab 6. Mauritania: and Sources, 2016 22 6. Ma a External a: E a Financing F a RRequirements a S , 2016 22 (In(in millions of U.S. millions ofdollars) U.S. dollars) 2016 Total Requirements

2017

2018

2020 4th Rev. Proj.

2019 Est.

2021

2022 Proj.

-1051

-1035

-1354

-1325

-1564

-1641

-1740

-1523

Current account deficit, excl. grants

-877

-856

-1080

-1046

-1291

-1368

-1401

-1208

External public debt amortization 1/ Of which : Saudi Arabia

-175 -5

-179 -8

-274 -8

-279 -9

-273

-273 -11

-339 -72

-315 -72

Arab Monetary Fund

0

-18

-46

-38

-28

-23

-8

Arab Fund for Economic and Social Dev.

-35

-37

-45

-47

-54

-63

-67

Islamic Development Bank

-10

-11

-30

-22

-22

-25

-25

China

-18

-19

-18

-24

-24

-27

-30

IMF

-10

-15

-19

-21

-20

-14

-9

1051

1035

1354

1325

1519

1273

1740

1523

280

599

792

908

937

594

1120

1053

224

224

260

285

Total Sources Foreign direct investment and capital inflows (net) Official grants (baseline) Consolidation efforts continued ...

rowth remained moderate.

Of which : European Union World Bank

...supported by strong and 175 104 240 non-extractive 69 81tax revenues 70 73 a pick-up in extractive13revenues.

11 11 12 While private sector credit26growth26accelerated...

15 34 35 170

AfDB

10

United Arab Emirates

40

Official loan disbursements (excluding IMF) Of which : Arab Monetary Fund Arab Fund for Economic and Social Dev. Islamic Development Bank China India Saudi Fund for Development IMF ECF disbursements

322 100 81 51 39

Other flows 2/

10

3 2

242

253

289

122 25 7 9 26 23

110 14 11 53 49 47

164 7 39 35 46

258

43

321

-24

365

374

277

175

Drawdown of reserves (negative = accumulation)

-2

-26

-70

-219

-76

0

13

-55

Drawdown of oil account (negative = accumulation)

24

-22

-93

85

0

0

0

-8

46

368

0

0

46

175

0

0

n.a.

130

0

0

0

193

0

0

Financing gap Prospective IMF financing IMF RCF (prospective)

rge of credit to the services sector... ... credit to the central government remained stable.

IMF ECF (prospective) 46 45 0 Public investment was hampered by low execution... ... while current spending remained contained.

Residual gap / other donor support

0

Sources: Mauritanian authorities; and IMF staff estimates and projections.

1/ Including central government, central bank, and SNIM. 2/ Including SNIM, SMHPM, commercial banks, errors and omissions, and exceptional financing.

liquidity to invest in the creation of new banks, primarily born to finance their own operations..

In the mid-1980s, Mauritania's monetary and banking structure consisted of the Banque of the government or of the BCM.

Asset quality is recovering after the recent economic pital levels remain adequate, profitability The sizeable fiscal consolidation achieved has reduced Centrale de Mauritanie--BCM and six commercial that had participation public debt service continued to rise. slowdown, but remains weak. ... althoughbanks low. financing needs…

During 80´s, loans reached over 50% of bank assets. A lack of an appropriate 18 the INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND framework and supervision, economic downturns and inexperience led to a spiral of debt, both private and public that was sweeping down the local economy.

With the collaboration of international financial institutions such as the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mauritania started restructuring the banking system.

IMF´s Economic Recovery Program (1985-88) instituted a new monetary and credit policy as well as an austerity program for the public sector.

Reform recommended by the World Bank and the IMF lead to the privatisation of the banking sector in 1989. From 1988 to 2001 some of the largest banks currently in operations were founded. Such is the case of Generale de Banque de Mauritanie (GBM), Banque Mauritanie pour le Commerce Internationale (BMCI), or Banque Nationale de Mauritania (BNM). In 2007. Société Générale and BNP Paribas launched operations in Mauritania although BNP sold its stake in the country later.

More players in the market contributed to the stabilisation of prices and fees as competition increased and the market remained limited. Banking penetration rate in Mauritania remains very low at only 15% of total population - 4.5 million in 2019-. Thus, the still too large informal sector remains a challenge: Informal credit associations continue acting as the pillars of financial survival for most of the population.

Competition has also contributed to the decline of interest rates from 30 percent in 2000 to 10 percent in 2018. Cheaper borrowing and the expansion of the telecom, transportation and construction sectors allowed for a credit expansion to the private sector of 19 percent amidst tight overall liquidity conditions.

But despite the increase of players in the market, deposits and credits remain concentrated in the five top banks. ...supported by strong non-extractive tax revenues and a

forts continued ...

pick-up in extractive revenues.

Over the last decade, the international financial institutions and the government of Mauritania have shared financing programs tight to restructuring processes in the finance sector. Some of the requirements led to the closure of some of the operating banks at the time.

Under the last 3-year agreement with the IMF -Extended Credit Facility (ECF- dated in 2017 for a total amount of about USD161.4 millions, the central bank committed to set up a new monetary and exchange rate policy framework to support economic activity, address external shocks, and preserve official reserves

nt was hampered by low execution...

... while current spending remained contained.

al consolidation achieved has reduced …

... although public debt service continued to rise.

In 2018,, the National Assembly adopted new laws related to the reforms of the banking system that included tighter entry conditions for new banks; more transparency instruments and tighter rules for Islamic banks.

The court of accounts (Cour des Comptes), which controls public spending, was granted more autonomy.. In the same month, the National Assembly passed the organic budget Broad money growth remained moderate.

While private sector credit growth accelerated... law, to improve public financial management by unifying the government budget and its formulation in a multiyear framework.

That same year,, Mauritania´s Central Bank (BCM) introduced the current Ouguiyas, replacing the previous at a rate of 1 new ouguiya = 10 old ouguiya, Recent regulation adopted in Mauritania has increased the BCM´s independency and auditing powers, improve the bank resolution framework and modernised its governance structure. The measures were proposed to address the financial sector´s vulnerabilities, increase SME´s borrowing, and improve financial inclusion (women, young people and some ...driven by ethnic a surge of groups). credit to the services sector... ... credit to the central government remained stable.

Under the IMF running program, the BCM is aligning the banking system with the principles of Basel III. As a result, In 2020, it required banks to double their minimum capital by to reach an equivalent to about 2 percent of GDP. This new measure could push some of the banks into merging processes.

In 2019, total assets of the banking system reached almost USD2 billion while the country´s economy economy totalled USD 6 billion, approximately USD 1,400 per cápita.

While banks' capital levels remain adequate, profitability continues to be low.

Asset quality is recovering after the recent economic slowdown, but remains weak.

The financial system transformation will required the birth of a monetary market, the application of international standards, the increase of local banking culture and capitalisation.

Financial System Structure The financial sector of Mauritania is comprised of 17 licensed banks -a mix of national and international capital as well conventional and islamic banks- up from 10 in 2008.

The system includes 11 insurance companies, 20 micro-finance institutions of which the Agence de Promotion des Caisses Populaires d’Epargne et de Crédit [PROCAPEC] is one of the more active together with the specialised Caisse de Dépots et de Développement [CDD].. There are about 20 licensed foreign exchange offices and two social security institutions: the National Social Security System (CNSS) and the Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Maladie - (CNAM).A timid money market, mainly interbank and treasury bills, is evolving but there is no stock or bond market. Financing long term projects remains a handicap in the local banking system. There are no instruments for it.

The Central Bank of Mauritania (BCM) is in charge of regulating the Mauritanian banking industry. It has made broad reforms to streamline the financial sector’s compliance with international standards. The Ministry of Economy and Finance performs yearly audits to the banks through the mandate of the Central Bank.

The governor of the BCM serves for a six-year term, renewable once. He can be dismissed by the president if two-thirds of the bank’s general council votes in favour. Criteria ranges from professional misconduct to physical or mental illness..

ESTRUCTURA DEL SISTEMA BANCARIO International Bank of Mauritanie (IBM) Banque Mauritanienne de l’Investissement (BMI) Banque des Financements Islamiques (BFI) Qatar National Bank Mauritanie(QNBM) Banque Islamique de Mauritanie (BIM) Nouvelle Banque de Mauritanie(NBM) Banque Muamelat As Sahiha(BMS) Banque Populaire de Mauritanie (BPM) Attijari Bank Mauritanie (ABM) Chinguitty Bank (CHINGUITTY Bank)

Société Générale Mauritanie (SGM) Ora Bank Mauritanie Banque El Amana (BEA) Banque Al Wava Mauritanienne Islamique (BAMIS) Générale de Banque de Mauritanie (GBM) Banque Nationale de Mauritanie (BNM) Banque Mauritanienne pour le Commerce International (BMCI) Banque pour le Commerce et l’Industrie (BCI)

Recent Performance According to the IMF, the financial sector of Mauritania still suffers from poor asset quality, low profitability, and highly concentrated deposits and credits. Although progress has been made, there is still insufficient provisioning against bad loans and low banking services penetration remains.

In 2019, Mauritania´s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 6,7% to USD 6 billion thanks to increased production in extractive industries and a rise in exports in the fishing sector.

That same year, consolidated banking assets grew to USD 2 billion approximately while International reserves of the central bank increased from $918 in 2018 to $1,136 million, which eventually would cover about 5.3 months of non-extractive imports.

The country´s debt also fell from 102.3% of GDP in 2018 to 97.8% in 2019. A fiscal surplus of 0,6 percent in 2019, contributed to narrow the ratio between external and public debt to GDP. “Public debt is sustainable. But the overall and external risk of debt distress remain high”, states the IMF.

The ratio of liquid to total assets fell from 24.6 percent in 2017 to 19.6 percent in 2018.

Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) declined in 2019 to 21.7 from 22.6 percent in 2018.

Despite the country´s continuous efforts to increase the resilience of its banking system while the economy expands, there is still much to do and prepare for.

A new large gas field discovered in 2019 and expected to be operative in 2022-23 is also expected to positively impact the performance the local banking sector. A dramatic increase of foreign currency will be deposited in the country´s financial system which in return, will have to efficiently manage it.

In an IMF´s report released in March 2020 underlined the necessity to progress in “establishing robust macro-fiscal and institutional frameworks to manage future gas revenues efficiently”.

INSURANCE SECTOR SECTEUR DES ASSURANCES EN MAURITANIE

En général le rôle de l’assurance se résume en 4 fonctions essentielles à savoir la protection des personnes, la sécurisation des biens, la collecte de l’épargne et une fonction économique vitale.

Sur le plan social, le secteur des assurances et son réseau de distribution contribuent activement à la création d’emplois au niveau national et stimule, de manière indirecte, plusieurs filières importantes de l’économie nationale, notamment la filière « Automobile » et la filière « Santé-Maladie », entre autres.

Partout dans le monde l’épargne collectée par les entreprises d’assurances irrigue l’économie nationale par le biais des placements à court terme et l’investissement dans différents secteurs d’activités.

D’autre part, l’assurance a pour rôle d’empêcher que les populations sombrent dans la pauvreté à la suite d’événements indésirables, en particulier, en cas d’accidents graves ou de catastrophes naturelles.

En définitive, les assureurs encouragent réellement le développement économique en transférant les risques et en facilitant la formation du capital.

BREF HISTORIQUE Historiquement, le secteur des assurances en Mauritanie a connu un certain nombre de mutations au cours de la période de 1974 à 2019 : - Jusqu’en 1974, avant la création de la société nationale Société Mauritanienne D ´Assurance et de Reassurance (SMAR), currently Nationale d'Assurance et de Réassurance (NASR), le marché de l’assurance était exploité par des assureurs ou des courtiers français (période caractérisée par la faiblesse de l’activité économique) ; - De 1974 à 1994, le marché d’assurances était en situation de monopole (exploité entre 1974 et 1994 par la société publique SMAR) ; - En 1993, l’Etat promulgua le Code des Assurances (loi 93-040 du 20 juillet 1993) qui prévoyait officiellement la libéralisation du secteur des assurances. Mais cette libéralisation est restée théorique jusqu’à 1998, date de création de plusieurs sociétés d’assurances privées ; - De 1998 à 2020 : période caractérisée par la création de plusieurs sociétés d’assurances bénéficiant, sauf rare exception, d’agréments toutes branches confondues, délivrés par les pouvoirs publics. Présentement le marché de l’assurance en Mauritanie, en dépit de son exigüité, est exploité par 15 sociétés d’assurances nationales et 3 sociétés de courtage dont une affiliées à au groupe français ASCOMA.

CONTEXTE ACTUELLE DU SECTEUR En 2018, la tutelle du secteur des assurances devient le Ministère des Finances alors qu’il était, de tout temps de 1974 à 2018, rattaché au Ministère du Commerce.

Globalement, le chiffre d’affaires du secteur est estimé annuellement varie de 600 à 700 millions MRU et dégage un taux de pénétration très faible de l’ordre de 0,6% du PIB (le Produit Intérieur Brut en 2018 est estimé à 5,025 milliards $ US pour une population d’environ 4,1 millions d’habitants).

L’étude de la structure du portefeuille global du secteur des assurances met en exergue la prédominance des assurances par les branches Incendie et tous Risques industriels, Maladie et Responsabilité Civile Automobile (RCA).

Ces trois catégories d’assurances, prédominantes en Mauritanie, deux d’entre eux « Maladie » et « RCA » sont structurellement déficitaires partout dans le monde.

Malheureusement les branches techniques (Incendie, Transport et Risques Spéciaux, entre autres) ainsi que les assurances de personnes, qui génèrent, en général, des profits sont très peu développées chez nous dans le pays.

En matière d’obligation d’assurance, la loi 93-040 du 20 juillet 1993 a instauré l’obligation d’assurer 3 catégories de risques à savoir : - La Responsabilité Civile de tous propriétaires de véhicules automobiles (article 160 du Code) ; - Les Facultés ou Marchandises à l’Importation (article 177) ; - Les Travaux de Bâtiments ayant un caractère public (article 180).

Mais plus précisément, l’article 199 de la loi 93-040 du 20 juillet 1993 est plus éloquent explicite en matière de domiciliation de l’assurance toutes branches confondues. Cet article stipule que tous les risques situés en Mauritanie doivent être assurés par une compagnie d’assurance nationale.

DIFFICULTES DU SECTEUR Dans le domaine des assurances en Mauritanie, il existe d’importantes potentialités qui ne sont pas exploitées tant du point de vue de la structure du marché que de celui de la croissance économique du pays. En effet, la Mauritanie dispose de nombreuses ressources naturelles. Néanmoins, la problématique du secteur des assurances dans le pays se traduit par des difficultés d’ordre structurel, organisationnel et institutionnel qui réduisent la dynamique du secteur. Parmi ces difficultés nous pouvons citer : a) l’inadéquation de la politique de tarification.

Les seuls tarifs homologués sont ceux de la responsabilité civile automobile qui sont, en Mauritanie, parmi les plus bas du monde. A titre d’exemple, l’assurance d’une année pour un véhicule de tourisme au Maroc coûte la contrevaleur de 2 500 DH, soit 11 000 MRU ; alors qu’elle est de 3 100 MRU seulement en Mauritanie.

b) l’importance de la sinistralité Plusieurs facteurs aggravant sont réunis en Mauritanie pour être à l’origine d’une forte sinistralité en raison de la fréquence et de la gravité des accidents. Ces facteurs sont : le non respect du code de la route, l’absence de panneaux de pré signalisation, le vieillissement du parc automobile, le mauvais état des routes (rétrécissement de la chaussée), les surcharges des véhicules en personnes transportées et en surpoids de bagages, l’imprudence des conducteurs et la divagation des animaux. c) l’absence de spécialisation des juges L’assureur doit présenter une proposition de règlement amiable dans un délai ne dépassant pas trois (3) mois à la victime à compter de la date de la réception de la déclaration de sinistre Certains juges assis méconnaissent la réglementation en matière d’assurance (Code des assurances – loi 93-040 du 20 juillet 1993). C’est ce qui explique les condamnations irrégulières, l’exécution d’ordonnances de saisie injustifiées et la présentation de notes de frais d’huissiers exorbitants. d) le désordre du secteur (Association de Professionnels, désintérêt des pouvoirs publics) L’Association des Professionnelle des Assureurs Mauritaniens (APAM) a entamé ses activités depuis le mois de mai 2018. Elle se fixe comme objectifs d’étudier, de regrouper les opérateurs, de les organiser pour mieux défendre leurs intérêts. Cette association a

fourni, en très peu de temps, beaucoup d’efforts et nécessite l’intérêt et l’aide des pouvoirs publics pour sauver le secteur. Pour assainir ce secteur les pouvoirs publics doivent exercer un contrôle constant en vue de veiller à la solvabilité des sociétés d’assurances. En sus des contrôles techniques et financiers, il y a lieu d’exercer un contrôle juridique pour protéger les souscripteurs de contrats, les bénéficiaires, les assurés, les victimes et les ayants droit. e) l’absence de la coassurance et l’inexistence d’un réassureur national La technique de tous les assureurs du monde consiste à répartir les risques, horizontalement par l’intermédiaire de la coassurance. Dans le contexte d’un marché normal, les assureurs se font confiance mutuellement, nouent des liens entre eux, directement ou bien à travers l’organisation professionnelle, pour se partager des risques avant de recourir aux méthodes de la réassurance nationale et internationale.

La répartition des risques verticalement par la réassurance permet à l’assureur de développer ses possibilités de souscriptions, d’améliorer son autonomie de production et de protéger son portefeuille contre les aléas de survenance de sinistres graves ou catastrophes ;

f) Le déficit de techniciens et professionnels du secteur.

Il existe un déficit réel des ressources humaines qualifiées et expérimentées en assurance notamment en actuariat, gestion commerciale, comptabilité et droit pour répondre aux besoins du marché. La priorité doit être accordée à la formation du personnel des opérateurs d’assurance, aux inspecteurs de la DCA et aux juges des tribunaux spécialisés.

La formation continue doit être renforcée par l’organisation de stages, échanges des cadres spécialisés des pays de la sous-région et la participation aux séminaires organisés dans le domaine.

SUGGESTIONS POUR ASSAINIR LE SECTEUR Devant l’atomisation du marché, la multiplicité des intervenants et la concurrence anarchique qui en résulte, certaines mesures doivent être prises rapidement en vue d’assainir le secteur pour permettre la naissance d’un marché viable et pérenne. Parmi ces mesures urgentes, on peut citer : - Appliquer les lois et règlements et en particulier les articles relatifs à l’obligation d’assurance (art 160, 177, 180 et 199 de la loi 93-040 du 20 juillet 1993) ; - Relever le niveau des primes d’assurance pour améliorer l’équilibre financier des opérateurs et, par conséquent, améliorer les possibilités d’indemnisations ; - Mettre en place une autorité de contrôle efficace ; - Stimuler l’organisation des opérateurs APAM qui œuvre au développement du secteur pour la restauration de la confiance entre les opérateurs et pour encourager les échanges et la coassurance ; - Promouvoir l’assurance de tous les secteurs vitaux de l’économie du pays et particulièrement l’important secteur de l’énergie (pétrole et gaz) ; - Accorder la priorité à la formation au profit du personnel des opérateurs d’assurance et aux juges des tribunaux spécialisés.

ENERGY SECTOR The extractive sector Oil, Gas & Mining Introduction At the end of 2019, a large gas field discovery was made in Mauritania. It was the world’s largest deepwater hydrocarbon discovery that year.

The field is located on the maritime border with Senegal, approximately 125 kilometres offshore Mauritania in the Orca Well. Senegal and Mauritania have an inter-governmental agreement to explote common fields. Their partners in this project were British Petroleum (BP) and Kosmos Energy.

This shared area is one of the most-watched basins in the world for gas drilling attracting the industry’s largest companies such as British Petroleum (BP) or Australia’s Woodside Energy.

The approximately 33,000 square kilometres covered is thought to contain between 50-100 tcf of gas resource potential, and includes the BP $1bn development Grand Tortue/ Ahmeyim (GTA) field, estimated to contain more than 15 tcf of discovered gas resources which would be a sufficient resource to elevate Mauritania into the league of world-scale LNG projects. In February 2020 Mauritania and Senegal signed an agreement for the LNG sale and purchase (SPA).

With production set to start by 2022/3, this new discovery will transform the economy of Mauritania or as local businessmen colloquially say: “In the next three years, Mauritania will be another country”

WHAT POTENTIAL DOES MAURITANIA HAVE ?

Geological Framework CRUDE OIL PRODUCTION Mineral Reserves

Crude oil - production:

Commodity

Crude oil - exports:

Four main Crude oil - imports: Oil

Res erve Unit 5,333 s bbl/day (2015 est.)

4,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

120

million barrels

geological Crude oil - proved reserves: 20 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Gas units

50

trillion cubic feet

Gold

25

million ounces

Copper

28

million metric tons

Refined petroleum products 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

- production:

Refined petroleum products 17,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

- consumption: Refined petroleum products 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

- exports: Iron 1,5 billion metric

Refined petroleum products 17,290 bbl/day (2015 est.)

- imports: Quartz 12 million metric Direction Générale des Hydrocarbures Source. CIA WorldFact Book

Gypsum

Phosphates

tons tons

9

billion metric tons

29

million metric tons

Source. EITI - 2016

It is difficult to calculate the impact it will have in the economy. But certainly, it can be as much a blessing as a curse. Managing volatility of international markets prices and control local inflation, keeping an open and transparent performance and redistributing resources to all population are some of the key ingredients of a healthy transformation.

This new discovery only adds to the list of Mauritania´s already strong list of extractive opportunities. It is the seventh largest iron-ore exporter and has decades of experience but it also has rich deposits of gold, copper, and oil.

Mauritania´s main export is iron followed by fish, oil, gold and copper. More than half of the extractive industry taxation comes from mining which also is the largest foreign currency supplier to the state of Mauritania.

Mining Industry

The exploitation of Mauritania's mineral wealth dates from 500BC with archeological evidence found near Akjoujt, in west Mauritania, where current mining activity still remains. The country is the world’s seventh largest exporter of iron ore and has rich deposits of gold, copper, zinc, gypsum, uranium and rare earths.

Mauritania´s commercial mining activities started right after Independence in 1960. It shortly became the main source of revenue to the newly created country. During the booming years, Mauritania´s GDP per capita grew to USD 1,477 in 2013. Today it stands at around USD1,200 .

Commercial exploitation started short after Independence in 1960. In 1963, the first train transporting minerals arrived to the Atlantic port of Nouadhibou with its first cargo from the mining fields located at the North West of Mauritania. The iron ore train of Mauritania is the largest mineral train of the world today.

Mining quickly became the main source of revenues for Mauritania. Just two years after re-starting activities, mining accounted for 28 percent of the GDP and created 92 percent of the value of all exports. Mauritania´s fish exporting industry is also a major contributor to the country´s national budget.

The public company in charge of developing the sector with foreign capital was the Société Anonyme des Mines de Fer de Mauritanie - MIFERMA originally created in 1952 and included World Bank and some European countries as shareholders.

Iron Ore MIFERMA, the state company that supported the development of the sector, was nationalised in the seventies due to a sharp market drop that hit Mauritania´s economy. The European ownership of MIFERMA was transferred to a newly created company: the Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière (SNIM), one of the leading Mauritanian companies in charge of the sector´s operations & development.

In 1978, the SNIM opened its capital to the private sector with the majority of the shares (78%) still in the hands the Mauritanian state.

Today, the holders of the company ´sownership are the Mauritanian State with a 78,35 of the s company, KIA Kuwait with 7,7%, Irak Fund 4,59% ONIHYM Maroc 2,30% and a 0,14 distributed to the private sector.

In 2019, exports of iron ore represented 46,2% of total exports valued at USD1.4 billion. ______________________________________________________________________ MINERALS REVENUES 11. Ores, slag, ash: US$1.4 billion (46.2% of total exports) 12. Gems, precious metals: $590.9 million (20.2%) 13. Copper: $5.4 million (0.2%) 14. Iron, steel: $5.3 million (0.2%) Source: EITI 2019 _________________________________________________________________________

Gold The largest exploitation of ore in Mauritania is the Tasiast mine, an open-pit operation 300 kilometres north of the capital Nouakchott.

The Canadian gold mining company, Kinross Gold acquired it in 2010 in a billionaire takeover. In 2019, after Phase One expansion, the annual revenue stood USD 300 million posting its record annual production of 250,965 ounces of gold and record low costs.

In September 2019, Kinross announced that it was proceeding with the Tasiast 24k project, a capital efficient continuous improvement project expected to increase throughput capacity to 21,000 t/d by the end of 2021 and then 24,000 tonnes per day by mid-2023. The project is expected to increase production, reduce costs, extend mine life to 2033.

Copper The largest copper mine of Mauritania is 100% owned by Mauritanian Copper Mines (MCM), a subsidiary of Canadian First Quantum Minerals company.. Operations started in 2004. Currently they produce around 15,000 tons of copper concentrate every month, employ over 1,400 people and contribute 5.6% to the gross national income..

MCM acquired an 80% interest in the Guelb Moghrein mine in 2004 and increased the ownership to 100% in 2010. Located 250 kilometres northeast of Nouakchott, the company produced 28,137 tonnes of copper in 2018 and 45,974 ounces of gold.

The final income for that year reached USD 201 millions. For 2019, estimates were pointing at a production of 30,000 tones of copper and 50,000 ounces of gold.

Oil

Seismic surveys started in Mauritania during the 80´s carried out by North American company Occidental Oil Company In 1985 seismic surveys conducted jointly by Occidental indicating a high possibility of petroleum and natural gas reserves in Mauritanian waters. In 2001, the “Chinguetti field” - as Mauritania was called in the ancient times- was discovered by the Australian firm Woodside Petroleum in 2001. Although modest, it was the first oilfield discovery of the country.

Following Chinguetti, other larger fields were found next to it: Banda. Tiof and Tevet.

Petrol Explorations

The recent last discovery of gas has eclipsed the oil prospects in Mauritania. There is also ongoing interest in the hidden black gold opportunities Mauritania is yet to offer. French company Total started operations 1999 and is now exploring into its five deep offshore licenses.

___________________________________________________________________________ 2020 Outlook -Acquisition seismic 3D seismic will be done by Shell on block C10 in 2020 2D seismic: Seismic speculative will be done by TGS in 2020 -Wells to be drilled (2020-2023): 13 wells Total, BP and Tullow in 2020/2021 -Development of GTA (first gas 2021-2022) - Other small fields development - New players, E&P and services - Taoudenni Basin new promotional strategy - Blocks awarding process The HC Law set up the principles of a CEP bidding process but allows also for direct negociations (Article 18 of the Law 2011-044) - Attractiveness and modernity of the legal and investment framework

- Stability and security - Transparency, Mauritania has been declared in 2017 compliant with the 2016 ITIE standards - Incentives for fiscal treatment for Contractors and subcontractors Source Ministère du Pétrole, de l’Energie et des Mines

___________________________________________________________________________________ Legal Framework Hydrocarbons Law : Adopted in 2010 (Loi N°2010-033), amended in 2011 (Loi N°2011-044), and in 2015 (N°2015-016 ). Key new elements : ➢ Approval of PSCs by decree (instead of law) : flexibility; ➢ Possibility for non exclusive reconnaissance authorization; ➢ Operators to adhere to the ITIE; ➢Clarity on the fiscal regime, treated on the contractual level; ➢ Profit Oil sharing based on R Factor: attractiveness ➢ Decree for petroleum licensing (N°2011-230); - Production Sharing Contract model ; All Importations of materials and goods necessary for the good execution of the petroleum operations are subject to the VAT either at zero rate, or shall be brought in under the temporary importation procedure which suspends payment of VAT for the property brought in under this particular customs practice.

Source. Direction Générale des Hydrocarbures _____________________________________________________

Gas On the maritime border between Mauritania and Senegal, at a depth of 2,850m, BP and its partners are developing a gas field with a 30-year production potential. The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim field has an estimated 15 trillion cubic feet of gas and is forecast to be a significant source of domestic energy and revenue.

In December 2016, BP acquired the operatorship of Kosmos Energy exploration blocks in Mauritania and Senegal are entered a partnership with them.

GREATER TORTUE AHMEYIM GTA

GREATER TORTUE AHMEYIM GTA

GTA phases 2 & 3

Discovered in 2015 Resources of 15Tcf

3: FPSO

505 mmscfd 10 000 bpd condenstae

Phase 1 will deliver first gas in 2022, and have an offtake of 2.3 Mtpa Subsequent Phases 2/3 will increase the offtake to ~9.7 Mtpa

Breakwater and the FLNG

Subsea wells and Production system

2019 Phase 1 2.3 Mtpa LNG 125, 000 m3 storage LNG carriers sized between 125,000 m3 and 215, 000 m3

2020

2022

2023

2024

Concept Development

2025

Phase 1 Production

Execute for Phases 2 / 3

Production

Production

Define

Optimize

Direction Générale des Hydrocarbures

2021

Execute (Construction / Conversion)

Phases 2 / 3

Direction Générale des Hydrocarbures

FID Phases 2/3

Commencement of Commercial Operations

First Gas Phase 2

First Gas Phase 3

BP acquired a 62% working interest, including operatorship, of offshore Blocks C-6, C-8, C-12 and C-13 – alongside partners Société Mauritanienne Des Hydrocarbures et de Patrimoine Minier (10%) and Kosmos (28%).

The approximately 33,000 square kilometres of acreage covered by the wider BP and Kosmos partnership, is thought to contain between 50-100 tcf of gas resource potential, and includes the Greater Tortue/ Ahmeyim field, estimated to contain more than 15 tcf of discovered gas resources.

In December 2018, BP announced the Final Investment Decision (FID) for Phase 1 of the innovative cross-border Greater Tortue Ahmeyim development. The decision was made following agreement between the Mauritanian and Senegalese governments and partners BP, Kosmos Energy and National Oil Companies Petrosen and SMHPM. This marked the beginning of a multi-phase BP project including $1bn Grand Tortue/Ahmeyin (GTA) gas project.

In February 2020 Mauritania and Senegal signed an agreement for the LNG sale and purchase agreement (SPA) for the first phase of the offshore rrand Tortue(Ahmeyim gas project. This agreement will elevate the countries into the league of large-scale LNG exporters.

Towards Transparency The World Bank has recommended Mauritania to adopt “fiscal rules, together with structural reforms (.)… improving public expenditure efficiency, making exchange rate regimes more flexible, and improving the business climate in order to boost the productivity of the non-extractive sectors.

Without structural reforms and fiscal rules, Mauritania’s real exchange rate would rise, its competitiveness would decline, and its budget deficit would increase”.

But Mauritania’s efforts to improve transparency and adapt to international standards have been constant during the past decade. The international board of Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) recognised that Mauritania had made “meaningful progress against the Standard”.

EITI is the global standard to promote the open and accountable management of oil, gas and mineral resources and support reforms in fiscal transparency and governance of the extractive industries.

Mauritania joined the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in 2005, and complies with the transparency rules required by EITI. The reforms undertaken by the Mauritanian government to improve the business climate have made Mauritania an attractive destination for long-term investments such as the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project. A new investment code has been adopted and the public procurement and trade code are being improved to protect investments.

In 2019, Mauritania was ranked 152 among 190 economies in the ease of doing business, according to the latest World Bank annual ratings.

Organisation & finance More than half of the extractive industry taxation comes from mining which also is the largest foreign currency supplier to the state of Mauritania.

contractual framework Attracting new players (Majors) Intensifying exploration activities Maximizing the synergies between players 3rd Step: Diversifying the economy 2nd Step: Developing power sector First step: Establishing an LNG Hub

2022

2022-2025

2030

Direction Générale des Hydrocarbures

There are three main taxes and fees imposed on companies operating in the mining sector which include unique annual royalties, dividends from state participation and contributions to the state budget.

The government institution responsible for the development of the sector is the Ministère du Pétrole, de l'Energie et des Mines . The sector is ruled by the Mining Code and the Ministry is responsible for enacting that law.

The following establishments and public companies are subject to the technical supervision of the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines: o National Industrial and Mining Company (SNIM); o Mauritanian Electricity Company (SOMELEC); o Mauritanian Hydrocarbons and Mining Heritage Company (SMHPM); o Mauritanian Gas Company (SOMAGAZ); o Mauritanian Company of Refining Industries (SOMIR). o Mauritanian Office of Geological Research (OMRG); o the Mauritanian School of Mines (EMM).

The Ministry monitors the activities of: o The National Hydrocarbons Commission (CNHY); o The Agency for Rural Electrification (ADER); o The Oil Facilities Management Company (GIP); o The Mauritanian Petroleum Product Storage (MEPP).

The treasury is the official body to manage the industry’s finance collected by the Central Bank.

The national oil company, Société Mauritanienne Des Hydrocarbures et de Patrimoine Minier (SMHPM), receives the share of the state and the Fonds National de Revenus des Hydrocarbures (FNRH)-, manages all oil and gas revenues.

The FNRH was created in 2006 after Mauritania joined EITI.According to the Swift Institute Fonds this Sovereign Wealth Fund located in Nouackchott current assets amount $52,600,000

TRANSPORT & INFRASTRUCTURE INTRO Mauritania is, overall, a country under construction. You can feel it from the moment you land. On your way from the airport to the capital, Nouakchott, there is a dozen of projects underway. A full real estate housing and leisure development as big as your eye can see, new hotels at the beachfront and then houses, houses and more houses being built. There is so much housing and construction underway that even the convenient stores sell sacks Search of cement along oranges and tomatoes, piled up as towers at the entrance of their shops.

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Europe

America

Asia

Africa

Australia

Oceania

All major banks are building their new premises, new hotels are rising up in desert lands and even the government is moving. A new university city and a new hospital are well underway, ports areand expanding and roads are reaching longer distances. Soon, Transport infrastructure in to Mauritania construction will start for all the major infrastructure developments related to the recent Our listing of the primary kinds of transport compares the infrastructure of Mauritania with the average of all countries in Africa. The net of streets discovery large field thethis Senegal and highwaysof has a a total lengthgas of 12,253 km. near Theoretically, is 2.78 metermaritime for each of the border.

4 millions inhabitants of the country. Mauritania hereby ranks 147th in a worldwide comparison.

With a length of 0.17 meters of railway tracks per person Mauritania come 70th worldwide.

You can feel the country´s transformation at every step. A sense of optimism and › Airports in Mauritania prosperity impregnates the atmosphere. The country has been growing steadily for the pastBack 3 years and projections are to further increase thanks to the country´s vast natural to overview: Mauritania reserves. Last year Mauritania grew at over 6 percent.

As a result of the monetisation of the new revenues in private hands, the endless view of construction sites show a booming real estate market. It is overwhelming. In public hands, the result can be tracked down to recent infrastructure developments, from the new airport of Nouakchott, opened in 2006 to the more recent expansion of the port of Nouakchott, currently underway.

Mauritania

Roadways Railroads

Africa

total

per 1 mio inhabitants

per km2

total

per 1 mio inhabitants

per km2

12,300 km

2,782.67 km

11.89 m

2,905,400 km

2,272.63 km

95.81 m

700 km

165.33 km

0.71 m

89,000 km

69.63 km

2.94 m

0 km

0.00 km

0.00 m

50,100 km

39.16 km

1.65 m

5

1.14

0.000

7,095

5.55

0.000

30

6.81

0.029

3,233

2.53

0.000

Waterways Commercial harbors Airports

Source. WorldData Harsh desert conditions Country Quiz Country codes

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Traffic du Port de Nouakchott (2017) .- Total 7,6

ROAD NETWORK MAJOR INVESTMENTS - 2020

du Port de Nouakchott (2017) AXE / OBJECTIFTraffic / Structure MESURE / ACTION Date lancement responsable / ACTIVITE Divers produits 1.155.612 tonnes Construction en Lun 09/09/19 DGIT cours des routes Nouvelles Minerai et Matériaux 1.201.893 tonnes constructions des routes Lun 21/10/19 DGIT (Engagements etEssence 116.884 tonnes DPG) Construction de 300 km de voies Bitume Lun 09/09/19 DGIT 15.139 tonnes urbaines Construction Lun 09/09/19 DGIT du pont de Rosso Aliment de bétail 16.164 tonnes Construction de la route DGIT deTijikja- El goudia Mer 01/01/20 Huiles alimentaires 175.659 tonnes - Boumdeid Construction de la route de Atar- Lun 01/01/24 DGIT Thé 18.072 tonnes Chinguity-Ouadan Poursuite construction route Lun 09/09/19 DGIT Cuivre (export) 270.308 tonnes Kiffa-Boumdeid (108 Km ) Réhabilitation Kérosène 28.818 tonnes de la route Lun 21/10/19 DGIT Boutilimitt-Aleg Poursuite Pommes de terre 33.293 tonnes reconstruction du tronçon de la route DGIT NKTT-Rosso (PK 25 Lun 09/09/19 346.402 tonnes au PK 145 soitFuel 120 oil/Gas oil Km ) Sucre

415.721 tonnes

Riz

45.073 tonnes

Gypse (export)

47.938 tonnes

Concentré de tomate

5.836 tonnes

Hydrocarbures

568.886 tonnes

Blé

579.037 tonnes

Gaz butane

61.643 tonnes

Produits céréaliers

640.274 tonnes

Oignons

76.971 tonnes

Indicateur

Coût en Millions EUR 231,00 €

199,00 €

76,00 € Le pont de Rosso est construit La route deTijikjaEl goudia Boumdeid est construite La route AtarChinguity-Ouadan est construite

63,00 € 56,00 €

46,00 €

La route KiffaBoumdeid est achevée

30,00 €

La route Boutilimitt-Aleg est réhabilitée

28,00 €

Le tronçon de la route NKTT-Rosso PK 25 au PK 145 esr reconstruit

27,00 €

Mauritania is a very vast country of about 1 million square kilometres, mostly desert. The harsh weather and terrain conditions and the large investments required, have delayed the infrastructure upgrade of Mauritania until recently.

When Mauritania gained independence in 1960 it was a country of nomads and tents. The French protectorate had been established in Senegal, so Mauritania was just a vast desert land. Nouakchott, its capital, was built around the only thing that was there: an army post.

Today, Mauritania has decent road network, three international airports, two international ports and highways connecting major cities, although their maintenance is precarious due to the continuous sand dust.

Road transport and infrastructure Mauritania has a road network of 10,300 km, with approximately 2,400 km of paved roads although the rest are very poor dirt roads. Around 90 percent of passengers and 80 percent of goods in Mauritania are transported by road, but the conditions are not at their best due to the lack of maintenance and the level of traffic is increasing rapidly.

The conditions of the automobile park are not better than the roads. Most of it is made up of used old vehicles of over 12 years. The transport industry is dominated by the National Federation of Transporters (FNT), that include all country major trucking companies.

Under a full investment program, international financial institutions funds have been fuelling for a decade the improvement of the road transport sector of Mauritania. The objective is to improve the North-South and East-West connection corridors and strengthen the road management system.

In 2020, the total investment ongoing in the road network of the country amounted for one billion euros.

The sector is overviewed by the Ministry de l´Equipement et des Transports which is in charge of the elaboration and implementation of the State policies related to the transport equipment and all the routes including the road and railway networks as well as the air and sea transport and equipment.

A dozen of institutions and companies that oversee all aspects of the sector, fall under the supervision of the Ministry.

BOX _________________________________ Companies under the supervision of the Ministry de l´Equipement et des Transports - Le laboratoire National des Travaux Publics (LNTP)

-

L´Agence Nationale de l´Aviation Civile (ANAC) L´Office National de Météorologie (ONM) L´Etablissement National de l´Entretien Routier (ENER) Le Port Autonome de Nouakchott dit Port de l´Amitié (PANPA) La Société des Bacs de Mauritanie (SBM) L´Autorité ´organisation et de régulation des trasports routiers (AORTR) La Société des Aéroports de Mauritanie (SAM) L´établissement d´Exécution des Travaux Réalisés en Matériaux Locaux de Construction (ETR´ML) - L´Agence por la Sécurité de la Navigation Aérienne en Afrique et a Madagascar (ASECNA) - Le mauritanien Airlines International (MAIL) - Le Société des Transports Publics (STP) _________________________________________________

However, there is undoubtedly one major road project: a long road that will connect all the Sahel territory from Chad to Mauritania. Currently under construction, this road will be a landmark in the development of the region giving all countries a sea route through Mauritania´s Atlantic coast. This major infrastructure project will exponentially increase the transport of merchandise and people throughout the region increasing the international commercial interest on the area, recently hit by humanitarian crisis and security concerns.

BOX _____________________ Projets de construction des routes pour le G5 Sahel • Travaux de construction et bitumage de la route Tidjikja – Kiffa-Kankossa – Sélibaby – Khabou (frontière du Mali) (lots 1, 2, 5 et 6): 55 Millions Euros • Travaux de construction et bitumage de la route Sandaré-Nioro (110 km) : 51 Millions Euros • Construction d'un Pont sur le fleuve Niger à Tombouctou (Tombouctou- Douentza): 100 Millions Euros • Travaux de construction et bitumage de la route Frt Mali -Baraboulé-Djibo (70 km) : 25 Millions Euros • Travaux de construction et bitumage de la route Djibo- Dori (190 km) : 74 Millions Euros • Etudes et Travaux de Construction et bitumage de la route Balleyara-Banibangou (160 km) : 70 Millions Euros • Travaux de construction et bitumage de la route Keita-Tamaske-Kolloma-Tahoua (50 km): 23 Millions Euros • Travaux de Construction et bitumage de la route Liwa-Rig Rig (53 Km) : 80 millions Euros • Travaux de Construction et bitumage de la route NGouri – Mao (58 km): 50 Millions Euros

Air transport and infrastructure When the new Oumtounsy - Nouakchott international airport was inaugurated in 2016 at the 27th Arab League Summit replacing the old Nouakchott airport, it was the largest public works project since Independence in 1960. The first plane that landed at the airport, a Turkish Airlines aircraft, marked a milestone in Mauritania´s aviation history.

With two runways of 2400m and 3400m respectively, which allow landings of large airplanes such as Airbus A380, this new airport covers an area of 30,000 square meters and can accommodate up to 2 million passengers per year. The new Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport is located approximately 32km north of the Mauritanian capital.

The history of the aviation industry in Mauritania started soon after Independence when the Civil Aviation Department was launched. A year later, in 1963, Air Mauritania, the first national carrier, started operations. During the following years, the sector somehow stagnated with the Mauritanian Airports Company only created three decades after independence. The National Civil Aviation Agency didn’t exist until 2004. It was created to execute the government politics towards civil aviation and to apply civil aviation international standards in concordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Up to date, Mauritania has 10 airports and 7 aerodromes. Nouakchott, Nouadhibou and Atar are world class international airports, while the rest focus on local passengers and air traffic.

In 2002, airport traffic reached a maximum figure of 294,000 passengers. This figure has been growing steadily ever since reaching 454,436 in 2018.

The new positive economic forecast of Mauritania related to the extractive sector and an incipient tourism development show a good prospect for growth in airport traffic during the upcoming years. Air Mauritania has recently increase its fleet and regionally, fleets and airports are being modernise.

In fact, Mauritania Airlines was the first airline in Africa to take delivery of an Embraer 175 in 2019. According to Embraer, a second aircraft will be delivered to the Nouakchottbased operator during the second quarter of 2020.

Mauritania Airlines has an active fleet that comprises two 737 Classics (both -500s), two 737NGs (a -700 and an -800) and an Embraer ERJ-145. With the introduction of the E175 the airline will add more frequencies and new destinations.

According to Indexmundi, the value for Air transport -domestic takeoffs and takeoffs abroad of air carriers registered in the country- in Mauritania was 5,637 as of 2018 since its minimum value of 1,114 in 2009.

The value for Air transport, freight (million ton-km) in Mauritania was 0.00 as of 2013 from a maximum value of 21.60 in 1982.

Total passengers amounted to 454,436 in 2018 from a maximum value of 524,818 in 2010

BOXES ___________________________________________ Airport destinations: Aéroport B. Diagne Bamako-Senou Airport Conakry Airport Gran Canaria Airport Houari Boumediene Airport Mohamed V Airport Nema Airport Nouadhibou Airport Paris Charles de Gaulle Quatro de Fevereiro Airport Tunis-Carthage Airport Compagnies aériennes Mauritania Airlines ( compagnie nationale ) RAM AIR SENEGAL Air Algérie TUNISAIR

AIR FRANCE Air France cargo IBERIA Canaryfly Swiftair Turkish airlines Binter Canarias ______________________________________________-

Sea transport and infrastructure With 754 kilometres of coastline in the Atlantic and one of the world’s largest fishing banks, Mauritania´s sea infrastructure and transport have been in constant upgrades during the past decade. Its strategic location, at the crossroads of the routes that connect Africa, Europe and America has not been completely exploited but new developments show the increase of traffic and investments in Mauritania´s ports.

Ports There are two main ports in Mauritania located in the two major cities of the country: Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. Most of the traffic is handled by the Nouakchott port, although major traffic of minerals and fish is handled at Nouadhibou port which is conveniently located within the so called Nouadhibou Free Zone, located on the Cap Blanc peninsula, open on the Greyhound Bay and the Atlantic. Its location makes it an active interface between Africa and the Mediterranean area.

The law establishing the Free Zone establishes a tax, customs and exchange incentive regime, and provides investors and economic operators with a Single Window centralizing all the formalities for creation, registration and of business approval.

A new port, Tanit, fishing port located in the capital, Nouakchott, was inaugurated in 2018 and is expected to include a new free zone around it. Year 2020 will see the inauguration of a militar and commercial new port, Port of N´Diago that will also serve the gas industry and yet a new industrial fishing port, financed by China, is expected to start construction in 2020. The Pk 28 Port is expected to serve as a springboard for the growing added-value fish products creation.

Port de l'Amitié, Nouakchott, Mauritania (PANPA) The autonomous port of Nouakchott, known as the Port of Friendship (PANPA), plays a pivotal role in the national economy handling almost all the country´s sea trade.

It constitutes one of the main industrial and commercial tools for the economic and social development of the country and is one of the leading public commercial ports in the south Sahara for ships sailing from Europe.

Its traffic has experienced exponential growth since its entry into service in 1986, going from less than 400,000 tonnes in 1987 to 3,664,496 in 2016, at an average rate of + 9.52% per year. Containerised traffic went from 56,448 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent containers) in 1988 to ~ 122,219 TEUs in 2016, an average increase of + 12.5% per year.

The new berths, with a total length of 450m and 69m wide, have a Ro-Ro ramp 40m wide.

The south side, which has also been fitted out, should be able to receive 40,000 DWT tankers, but the lack of stripping pipes, the implementation of which is the responsibility of the Ministry of Petroleum, delays its start-up.

Thus, the port of Nouakchott now has three new berths dredged at the coast -12.00, allowing to accommodate container ships of the third generation, tankers from 35,000 to 40,000 dwt, and a oil wharf for ships of 10,000 dwt, bringing its total capacity to 7 berths.

Handling performance at the Port of Nouakchott generally ranges from 1,200 to 2,500 tons/day for bagged cargo, and 3 containers/hour. It is mainly an import port representing approximately 96.4% of all annual traffic to Mauritania. The overall potential traffic capacity is 1 million tons.

Imports include oilfield supplies, wheat cement, clinker, flour, sugar, semolina, milk and general cargo. Exports include plaster, animal skins and fish.

The PANPA container terminal The container terminal project, currently underway, is an integral part of the PANPA development master plan and constitutes an incomparable opportunity for the modernisation of handling and the improvement of the competitiveness of the Port of Nouakchott.

This infrastructure will also allow PANPA to position itself favourably to serve Mali and the Sahelian hinterland. The container terminal will be located at the bottom of the basin between the North pier and the South quay. Its length is approximately 590 m, making it possible to operate two container vessels 250 m long. The wharf will be founded at a height of -14.50 m hydro, sufficient to accommodate container ships of 13.0 m draft and carrying 3,500 TEUs. The future wharf will be equipped with 5 gantries allowing the rapid unloading of ships, and the storage will be practically done without any significant journey due to the proximity of the median.

Construction of the terminal began in July 2019, and is expected to be completed in March 2021.

The oil wharf, in the form of a mixed post, will allow the 50,000-ton tankers to be received directly in Nouakchott, which will completely eliminate the current cabotage from

Nouadhibou thus reducing the country's energy bill and securing the supply of Nouakchott and southeast of Mauritania.

Currently, PANPA welcomes 60 vessels corresponding to 6000 TEUS (20’Containers) per annum. 40,000 tons are handled by liners vessels and 80,000 tons by charters every year.

BOX _________________ PORT INFRASTRUCTURE Quais longs de 1455m, répartis comme suit : Ancien quai long de 585 m, large de 47m, relié au terre-plein par une Passerelle • longue de 750 m ; large de 10,5 m Nouveau quai long de 700 m (450 m côté Nord + 250m Côté Sud), large de 69 m • (avec un accès au quai de 200m), dragués à la côte -12,00 pour accueillir des Porteconteneurs de la troisième génération et tankers de 40.000 tpl Poste pétrolier provisoire long de 170 m, dragué à -9,50 pour des pétroliers et • méthaniers de 5 à 10 000 tpl Au total 7 postes à quai + 1 quai de service et 1 poste pétrolier en service depuis le 22 20°0'0"W

15°0'0"W

10°0'0"W

5°0'0"W

±

! .Frontière Algéro-Mauritanienne

Ain Bentili ! .

Bir Moghrein ! .

25°0'0"N

LEGENDE Routes à construire Routes à reconstruire et réhabiliter Routes en cours d'éxecution Routes existantes . Zouerat ! .!

Aéroport Teyaret El Ouassa

F'DERIK ! . Touajil

Tmeymichat ! . ! .Nouadhibou

! .

! . Choum

Atar ! .

20°0'0"N

! .Chami

! .Akjoujt

RN4! . ! .Benichab

.

Nouamghar!

! .

Chinguitti

Aoujeft ! .! .

Timinit ! .Tenoumend ! . Lelbheir ! .

! .

Asma

Port Tanit

! .

Ouadane

! .Kseir Torchan

Ain Safra Rachid ! .Tikjikja

! .

Nimlane

! .

Tchit

.

Nouakchott ! .

Port PK 28 !

Moudjeria Ghediya ! .

PK108 Magtalahjar Nimjat ! .Boutilimit ! . ! .Boumdeid ! .

Chegar Tamchaket Ghaira ! . ! !

Tiguent . . ! .Kamour !

Male Mederdra Aleg . ! . ! . R'Kiz !

Boulahrach . ! .

Aioun Essawata ! . ! .

Guerou Aouiviya! . ! . ! . !

Barkeol . ! .

Keur Macen! ! ! . . Zravia . !

Aoueinat Zbil . BougamouBoghe Kiffa ! .Monguel ! . ! .

Rosso ! . ! Lexeiba Tintane Port N'Diago ! . ! . .

Timbedra Kaedi ! .M'Bout !Ain Farba ! . . ! .Kobenni !

Kankossa Koundel ! .

Gogui .Djiguenni Toufounde Cive ! .Ould Yenge . ! .Touil Maghama ! ! Boully Selibabi . ! .

Gouraye! .

15°0'0"N

0

50

100

200

Km Réalisateur: DIA /DGIT/MET/SEP/2019

! . Khabou

janvier 2012 Superficie totale du domaine terrestre 14 672 ha, dont • Superficie totale des terre-pleins amodiés 35 ha •

Oualata ! .

Nbeikett Lehwache ! .

Nema ! . ! .Emmat Lakarich Bangou ! . ! .

Gneiba ! .

Amourj ! .

Bassiknou ! .

Adel Bagrou

! .

Fassala

• •

Epis et digue de protection de plus de 7000 m au sud Mur anti transit littoral au nord du port

Nouadhibou Port Formerly known as Port-Etienne, this port is located in the North of the country, close to the borders of Morocco. The economical base is fishing and fish-processing, but also exportation of iron that is transported by train from the mines in central Mauritania. It is located at only 3,2 kilometres from the airport. Currently a rehabilitation of the Commerce Quay and the access dike are well underway.

BOX _______________ Port infrastructure Anchorage depth: 9.4m - 10m Cargo pier depth: 17.1m - 18.2m Oil terminal depth: 11m - 12.2m Dry dock: N/A Harbor size: Medium Railway size: Large Harbor type: Coastal Natural Max size: Up to 500 feet in length Repairs: Limited Shelter: Good Port of N´Diago The USD352 million construction of the N´Diago military and commercial port started in 2016 and is edging completion in 2020. It is multi functional port is located 220 km south of Nouakchott and 40 km from Keur Macène, a border department with Saint-Louis in Senegal, will soon be operational and will complete the maritime infrastructure on the country's Atlantic coast, It will include a military port with a dock able quay on both sides, a naval base, a fishing port with a capacity of seven landing docks, a shipyard with a capacity of 70 ships per year, a commercial quay that can accommodate several 180 meter long boats and a landing bridge for artisan fishing.

The port will constitute an essential infrastructure for the exploitation of the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project located on the Mauritanian-Senegalese maritime border expected to start production in 2022.

Executed by the Chinese company Polytechnology, this new multifunctional port, at the mouth of the Senegal River, should increase the country's logistical support and maritime transport capacities, strengthen the operational capacities of the armed forces in the face of security challenges and strengthen the sovereignty of the State in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). It complements the port of Nouadhibou in the far north and the port platforms of Tanit and Nouakchott in the center.

This port will also promote the possibility of opening a line for river transport on the Senegal River, over a distance of almost 15 km from the port, to supply the Mauritanian cities located along the river, and this to Mali .

Port of Tanit Inaugurated at the end of 2018, the artisanal fishing port of Tanit is located 60 kilometers north-west of Nouakchott and will make it possible to relocate part of the artisanal fishing in the southern zone, concentrated mainly on the coast of Nouakchott.

The new infrastructure has mobilized funding of USD 76.7 million entirely supported by the Mauritanian state budget. Its facilities include loading and unloading docks and cold and storage rooms, in addition to an established fish market covering an area of 1,740 m2.

The Port of Tanit also has a city for the accommodation of artisanal fishermen, with water and sanitation networks and a power plant with a capacity of 3,000 kilowatts. It has a seawater desalination plant with a capacity of 1,000 m3. The port is able to dock 400 small and medium-sized canoes.

It also includes a fish market, an electricity production station and another facility for the desalination of sea water. as well as all other essential services for artisanal fishing.

Artisanal fishing in Mauritania involves more than 6,600 canoes and offers around 46,600 direct jobs representing more than 85% of the workforce in the fishing sector as a whole.

It offers, in addition to that, more than 250,000 indirect jobs in the trades upstream and downstream of the fish industry and gives rise to on-board production of around 300,000 tonnes per year, or 37.5% of total production. of the country in fish.

PK 28 port This industrial fishing port was first planned in 2018 when the government of Mauritania and the Export-Import Bank of China (Exim Bank) signed a loan agreement intended for

financing the PK28 Fishing Port Construction Project south of Nouakchott, on the Nouakchott-Rosso road.

This USD93 million loan will allow the construction of the industrial fishing port that will bring annual production capacity in the central and southern zones to around 400,000 tonnes, or eight times the current tonnage.

The port, expected to start construction in 2020, is the first of its kind and is expected to give a new impetus to the fishing sector creating more added value in the country´s fish exports.

WEBSITES http://www.transports.gov.mr/index.php?lang=fr http://www.port-nouakchott.com/fr http://www.ndbfreezone.mr/index.php

TELECOM SECTOR Mauritania is a very vast desert country spotted with remote villages inhabited by a very low population density. Connecting all ends of a country that has only four million people but is three times the size of Francia takes time and costs money.

“Our main challenge in Mauritania is the fact that we have a huge territory with a very low population density. This poses challenges in the coordination of infrastructure development”, admits Mohamed Lemine Salihi, director of ICT Mauritania. ICT is an entity integrated inside the Ministry of Education, Scientific Research and Technologies of Information and Communication responsible for overseeing the telecom sector development and implement all policies necessaries to cover the population needs.

Connectivity struggle Although the country is the landing point for the ACE submarine cable that connects 19 West African and 2 European countries, broadband access speed is very low in Mauritania.

If fact, the break of a submarine cable in early 2020 left the country disconnected for days.

Something unthinkable for any Western economy.

Internet services were severely disrupted due to an incident in the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable, which runs along the west coast of Africa between France and South Africa. The cable fault was located 25km off Nouakchott and showed the weakness Mauritania´s international network and the need to bring new alternatives.

The fact is, that according to official data, there are only 800,000 internet users in the country, 18% of the population. Fixed-line teledensity accounts for only 2 out of100 people. This, in part, is due to the lack of connecting land infrastructure.

Indeed, when it comes to mobile phones, and although the newest technology is far from being in place, the situation changes extremely. Out of a population of 4,4 million, there are 5,07 million mobile phones, a 113% penetration rate.

“We can help to accelerate the achievement of most of the 17 Goals Sustainable Development (SDG) or 2030 United Nations agenda, says Lemine. “It makes it possible to achieve results that would have been unthinkable less than ten years ago, in terms of scale, speed, quality, accuracy and cost”.

Globally speaking, the speed offered by the fibre optic cable has pushed fixed broadband subscription to 1.1 billion rising from 830 million in 2015.

MAURITANIA ICT FIGURES

total population

4.4 million people (2018 est.)

Telephones fixed lines:

total subscriptions subscriptions: per 100 59,959 inhabitants: 2 (2018 est.)

country comparison to the world: 156

Telephones mobile cellular:

total subscriptions subscriptions: per 100 4,566,502 inhabitants: 119 (2018 est.)

country comparison to the world: 124

Internet country code:

mr

Internet users:

total: 661,913

percent of population: 18% (July 2016 est.)

country comparison to the world: 144

Broadband fixed subscriptions:

total: 13,222

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2018 est.)

country comparison to the world: 163

Satellite Stations

Intelsat and Arabsat satellite earth stations.

Source:

CIA WORLD FACTBOOK

This growth shows clearly a sign of the near future in Mauritania. Broadband access has become a priority for the development of the country, both, socially and corporate.

Satellite Connection Indeed, the country’s development in general has been severely hampered by political unrest, security issues and sheer poverty. New oil and gas discoveries and exports of mining products and fish are transforming the economic nature of Mauritania to a richer country capable to undertake major infrastructure projects. Today ICT infrastructure to provide universal access to broadband Internet is a top priority.

The poor telecommunications infrastructure, will mean that VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal), a satellite communications system, may play a key part in the sectors development.

Some of the services they can provide are • Broadband Internet access • Toll quality VoIP and Videoconferencing with CIR • Reliable SLA through FDMA and D-TDMA with 98% efficiency on payload • Star, Mesh and hybrid Star/Mesh topology networks • Full support of accelerated VPN, CITRIX, ERM and other business applications • Highly secure operation with optional AES embedded encryption • Global C-Band coverage and sub-Sahara Ku-Band • Landing at top tier redundant IP facilities in Western Europe and United States • Sentinel-based QoS, bandwidth management and optimization platform Mauritania works with two satellite earth stations Intelsat and ArabSat. In 2019, CSS, an African satellite services provider, partnered with Forsway and Arabsat to improve broadband connectivity in Mauritania. CSS will utilise Arabsat’s Xtend Africa managed service and Forsway’s satellite broadband extension to provide affordable satellite internet services to support business, education and health applications.

Infrastructure Priority To overcome the shortage of infrastructure, the Mauritanian government launched a long term national initiative. The key development was increasing access of fixed-line broadband services extending the national backbone network (fibre optic). But, to be able to do so, the government must also ensure alternative connectivity to international telecom cables and then facilitate access to all operators.

The initiative has been financed by the World Bank and the European Investment Bank (EIB), as part of a regional connectivity project, for co-financing estimated at USD 49 million, USD 30 million contributed by the World Bank and USD 19 million by the EIB. Within the framework of private public partnerships (PPP), the missing sections of the national fiber optic backbone and a data center will be built.

Caption: Warcip Project.

Source ICT Mauritania

The so-called WARCIP Mauritania project aims to increase the geographic coverage of high-bandwidth networks and to reduce the costs of communications services in the territory of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania by: 1. Improving connectivity through competitive access to international bandwidth.

2. Creating an enabling the proper environment and strengthening institutional capacities to eliminate the bottlenecks that constrain the participation of the private sector in the development of national and regional connectivity.

3. Supporting the implementation of the Program in the country (including environmental and social clauses).

Lemine explains that “the telecom sector in Mauritania is currently developing some key projects, including the Warcip project that will enhance connectivity with the construction of the country’s backbone cable and another project to digitalise office procedures bringing the country into the e-government era.

ICT has already installed 1,800 km of optical fibre cable and a 4.000 km earth cabling is to be landed in the next 3 years connecting the country internationally. The e-government project is expected to start implementation by the end of 2020.

A parallel project of security will be the pilot test for bolstering cyber security in Mauritania.

Sectorial Operators.

Mauritania has three mobile operators, the original monopoly, Mauritel -owned by Vivendi's Maroc Telecom), Mattel -owned by Tunisie Telecom- and Chinguitel, which started operations in December 2006. All of them fall under the regulator, Autorité de Régulation (ARE), which supervises all country services enforcing the law and quality standards.

Due to the lack of fixed-line infrastructure, most voice and data services are carried over the mobile networks maintained by the mobile operators. 3G penetration is high and yet there has been little development in LTE (Long Term Evolution Technology). Consequently mobile broadband access speeds are also low. Mauritel is the sector leading company and maintains a virtual monopoly in the fixed-line sector.

MAROC TELECOM (MAURITEL) REGIONAL SUBSCRIBER GROWTH COMPARISON COUNTRY SUBSCRIBERS GROWTH Cote d’Ivoire 9.030 million 9.9% Mauritania 2.440 million 2.0% Burkina Faso 8.294 million 9.4% Benin 4.549 million 5.0% Central African Republic 160,000 17.7% Mali 7.395 million -6.1%

National Strategy for the modernisation of the Administration and the ICT sector Adopted in 2012, is based in 6 strategic developments: 1. Development of means of access for all to the information society.

2. Adaptation of the legal framework for ICT. 3. Improving the quality and accessibility of the public service.

4. Development of Electronic Administration.

5. Development of the digital economy.

6. Sectoral technological support.

The Mauritanian Government has taken the initiative to provide access to the ACE submarine cable in accordance with the principles of public private partnership with the 3 Mauritanian operators and open access to the network with the Economic Interest Group called International Mauritania Telecom (IMT / GIE).

According to it, broadband connectivity must be disseminated nationwide and across borders to give all the opportunity to access the information society.

Some Backbone sections have been completed or are in progress by the private sector, making it possible to connect 9 of the 13 regional capitals of the country and 3 borders.

Key Developments (2019-20): • Some 1,600km of new fibre backbone network laid as part of a WARCIP funded project; • Regulator restarts LTE licence auction; • Mauritania joins regional free roaming initiatives; • Mattel secures satellite backhaul connectivity for remote areas; SOURCE. BuddeComm https://www.budde.com.au The company in charge of empowering the strategy laid on paper and deal with the private sector bidders and investors is SDIN Société pour le Développement des Infrastructures Numériques (SDIN). SDIN will oversee the financing, building, holding, managing, operating and maintaining the telecom infrastructure as well as the installation of all electronic communications equipment needed on Mauritanian territory SDIN is also responsible for any building and equipment necessary for its operation and for acquiring user rights to this end or purchasing existing infrastructures or networks.

It must guarantee open, transparent and non-discriminatory access to Installations, in particular broadband capacity and other resources available to any operator of electronic communications networks or services duly authorised in Mauritania, in accordance with the laws and regulations in force.

“We act as an intermediate between the government and the private companies thus ensuring transparency and communication in the telecom sector. Transparency will bring confidence and people will trust us”, says Ahmed Salem Tekrour, General Director of SDIN. The National Backbone SDIN will be the owner of the currently under construction “National Backbone” for the telecom system and also for its Technical Building. It will delegate its operation, maintenance and marketing to the International Mauritania Telecom (IMT) company. The national backbone should be ready by June 2020. “There are two telecom cables in Mauritania but a third cable is also needed. The national backbone will ensure sovereignty", explains Tekrour.

The Agency for the Promotion of Universal Access to Services (APAUS) has already initiated the process of carrying out a technical and economic feasibility study of the missing sections of the national fiber optic backbone to connect the 4 other regional capitals and secure all sections of the backbone, which will allow Mauritania to position

itself as the market with the highest back-up capacity of the sub-region (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso in particular).

To allow the start of the project the Government requested an advance of project preparation (PPA) for a sum of USD 2 million.

The main components of the project preparation advance are: 1. Support for the Economic Interest Grouping called International Mauritania Telecom (IMT / GIE) created for ACE and its extension to missing sections of the national backbone, by seeking the contribution of private sector to finance these sections; 2. The updating of the sectoral regulatory framework which dates from 1999 and the studies to set up at AER level broadband regulation in accordance with international best practices, effective and adapted to the observed and expected developments in the sector.

3. The feasibility study for the creation of an Internet exchange point (IXP) in Mauritania.

4. Environmental and social studies relating to the missing sections.

5. Support for the establishment of the Project Management Unit.

Constrains to ICT development Although clearly the main obstacle for the development of the sector is the size of Mauritania and harsh conditions it offers, there are also other barriers, namely related to human capital.

As in many other sectors, the lack of trained workforce drowns down the speed of development. In the case of telecom, the projects that the government is set to put in place will require a high number of technicians that simply don’t exist in the country. “The e-government initiative is difficult to implement because we have a very high number public offices and we lack trained human resources”, explains Lemine. “The same happens with cyber security. It is a question of training. We don’t have the necessary software technicians to cover the challenges Mauritania will be facing. Our only option is train and then transform trainees in trainer and so on”.

Investment opportunities Given the fact that the sector is heavily engaged in huge investment to develop the telecom infrastructure, opportunities arise in all the development chain. “We are searching for international investors and professionals for the development of the ICT sector in Mauritania. Our legal framework ensures equal open access to all investors. It is a unique opportunity to implement a business in ICT in Mauritania”, explains Dr. Sidi Ould Salem, Ministre de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche Scientifique, des Technologies de l’Information et de la Communication (MESRSTIC) Also, according to ICT Mauritania, the country will offer new licenses to investors that want to open their own Internet Service Provider in a particular town or for a particular

sector or territory. An investor can open an ISP through our simple authorisation regime for business companies”.

FISHING SECTOR Introduction Mauritanians don’t have a fishing culture. Indeed they barely eat fish, only about 10 kilos per cápita and year. They actually feel closer to the nomadic desert lifestyle than to a typical fishing village.

But, they happen to live in one of the most productive fishing areas of the world.

Mauritanian waters are enriched with a great biodiversity that benefits from the nutrients carried by the Canary Current and cold water upwelling that combine with offshore winds create a paradise for fish and birds breeding. According to official data, there are approximately 600 species of fish identified in Mauritania, 200 of which can be commercially exploited.

As a result, fishing today represents a major and strategic sector of the Mauritanian economy in terms foreign trade benefits and its foreign currency contribution to the national treasure.

Fishing activity is mainly located in Mauritania´s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) an area of 234,000 km2 that includes the most productive waters of the country and a continental shelf of around 39,000 km2 known for its biodiversity.

Caption: Outer limits of the West Africa Continental Shelf. Source. EU Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelfin Respect of Areasin the Atlantic Ocean Adjacent to the Coast of West Africa.

The continental shelf extends 80 miles from the coast between Ras Nouadhibou (Cap Blanc) and Cap Timiris -which also marks the south border of Banc D´Arguin-. To the south it only extends 30 miles.

A major source of income The fishery resources of the waters under the jurisdiction of Mauritania represent a potential for allowable catches of between 1.5 to 1.8 million tons per year. Fishing accounts for about 15% of budget revenues. It is a major source of foreign currency earnings accounting for around 45% of the total. Exports of fishery products represent around 50% of the total value of Mauritania's exports, excluding oil. it represents an income to the national economy of around USD 800 millones per year.

According to an EU report, in 2014 fishing generated around 55 000 direct and indirect jobs which represented at the time 40% of total jobs. The paper estimates that 31% of these jobs are generated by small-scale fishing, and 12 % by industrial fishing. The majority of jobs are on land, with 3% in other secondary activities.

The ports of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou concentrate the main activity of the fishing sector.

Although the port of Nouadhibou has better infrastructure and has traditionally be the main export zone of frozen and refrigerated fish, Nouakchott fishing activity is methodically increasing. A new USD87 million fishing port is to be build 25 kms North of Noukchott by the chinese company Poly Hondone Company to handle 400,000 metric tones of goods. There is also a very advanced development plan of a small-scale fishing port at Tanit, around 70 km north of Nouakchott.

The major client of of Mauritanian fish, especially cephalopods, is Japan followed by the European market (Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Greece) that holds the second position. Other importing clients are China, Africa and the USA.

Production -

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Bulletin Trimestriel des Statistiques ‫ إ تاج ا د ا ا‬5 . ‫جد‬ Tableau 5. Production de la pêche industrielle

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Quantités en milliers de Tonnes ‫ة‬

be divided into five areas. This will be done, for the purpose of this joint submission, as

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‫ رة ا‬follows ‫ا‬ (Figure 2):

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Caption: Evolution of fish production in Mauritania In this area of theSource: margin, the bathymetric Ministry of Fisheries and contours are largely parallel to the coast of Mauritania and Maritime deflected to the westEconomy by Mauritanian and Northern Cabo ‫ا‬ Verde Margin

Périodes

PELAGIQUES

DEMERSAUX

CEPHALOPODES

CRUSTACES

TOTAL

2012 2013

604,2 244,6 552,5 358,7

22,4 21,5 25,5 30,8

25,3 18,7 15,2 15,1

2,4 0,3 1,8 0,7

654 285 595 405

Trim-1 Trim-2 Trm-3 Trm-4.

2017 Trim-1 Trim-2 Trm-3 Trm-4.

202,0 198,6 208,9 128,5

15,1 14,2 23,7 14,0

4,2 1,2 4,6 3,5

0,6 0,9 0,3 0,2

221,8 214,9 237,6 146,2

.

176,9 211,0 185,8 206,9

9,6 10,4 12,3 12,5

4,8 1,3 7,1 2,9

0,6 0,5 0,4 0,4

191,9 223,2 205,8 222,7

.

Trim-1 Trim-2 Trm-3 Trm-4.

2019 Trim-1

216,0 270,7 350,2 363,8

12,9 9,3 13,4 6,9

5,6 1,4 8,0 1,4

1,0 0,8 0,6 0,5

235,6 282,2 372,2 372,6

.

265,2

11,3

7,8

0,7

285,0

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Trim-2

254,7

8,1

2,0

0,6

265,3

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Trm-3

229,6

8,6

9,4

0,3

248,1

Trm-4.

256,9

7,5

1,2

0,3

265,9

2015 2016

Figure 3. The outer limits of the continental shelf.

2012 2013

2015 the Cape Verde Rise. The continental slope 2016 consists, successively, of a steep upper slope ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ثا‬and ‫ا‬ ‫ ا‬a gentle lower slope. Water depths ‫ا ثا ث‬ ‫ا‬ gradually from about 2 800 m at the ‫ اب‬increase ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ 2017of the lower slope to more than 5 500 top ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬ m in the adjacent Cape Verde Basin. The ‫ا ثا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ثا ث‬shelf ‫ا‬ ‫ ا‬and upper slope areas are incised by a ‫ا اب‬ ‫ا‬ number of submarine canyons and gullies.

2018 ‫ا‬ ‫ ا‬coalesce down slope into major canyon These ‫ا ثا‬ ‫ا‬ systems, merging seaward into the deep Cape ‫ا ثا ث‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ اب‬Verde ‫ا‬ ‫ ا‬Abyssal Plain.

2019 ‫ا‬

‫ا‬ Western Cape Verde Rise

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south-eastern flank of the Cape Verde Rise and the continental slope of the mainland offshore southern Senegal, The Gambia and Guinea Bissau. The continental slope in this region displays a steeper upper slope and gentle lower slope and terminates at the Guinea Fracture zone. The continental margin in this region is shaped by various sediment transport processes, operating in an area of complex seafloor topography.

The Kane Gap separates the Guinea Plateau and the Sierra Leone Rise. It coincides with the intersection of the Guinea Fracture Zone and the continental margin. The Kane Gap has a sill depth of about 4 700 m. The morphology of the Kane Gap is complex, with a series of block-like elevations partially separated from the Guinea Plateau.

The Sierra Leone Basin

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This ‫ ا‬area comprises the western slopes of the Cape Verde Rise facing the Central Atlantic between the Cape Verde Basin in the north and the Gambia Basin in the south. The slopes are characterized by a smooth sediment cover that merges with the sediments of the Cape Verde Basin in the north, the rugged volcanic oceanic basement to the west, and the Guinea Fracture Zone to the south. Water depths

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The Kane Gap

The Sierra Leone Basin is located south of the Guinea Plateau. It is bounded by the Sierra Leone Rise and Guinea Plateau to the west and north, respectively, and the Saint Paul Fracture Zone to the south. In this area, the continental slope is divided into an upper, steep part and a lower, low gradient part.

Sediment supply in the Sierra Leone Basin is derived from the adjacent continental

The bulk of the contribution of the sector to the Mauritanian budget comes from cephalopods (46 %), crustaceans (30 %) and small pelagic species (15 %). Other fishery products contribute to a lesser extent. This is the case with hake (7 %) and demersal species and tunas (2 %).

Production -

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Bulletin Trimestriel des Statistiques ‫ إ تاج ا‬: ‫ا رس ا ب ا‬

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Graphique 4. Production pêche industrielle

(En milliers de Tonnes

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Type of fisheries Mauritania marine and coastal environment supports the development of six main commercial fisheries of very high economic value: Demersal resource fisheries - Cephalopod fishery (octopus, cuttlefish, squid); - Fishery for coastal and deep demersal fish (sea bream, grouper, sole, rays and sharks, red mullet, hake ...); - Crustacean fishery (coastal and deep shrimp, lobster and deep crab); - Bivalve mollusc fishery. A large stock of praires exists, but, due to technical and health constraints, this stock is not currently being exploited.

Pelagic resource fisheries - Small pelagic fishery (sardinella, sardines, horse mackerel, mackerel, ethmalose, anchovies, small tuna, mullet, croaker); - Fishery for major tuna (yellowfin, bigeye, skipjack) and small coastal tuna.

This resources represent a potential for permissible catches of around USD1.5 million tonnes per year for an estimated value of around USD 1.4 billion, a figure that can produce a very significant impact in the social and economic development of Mauritania.

Exploitation Categories The exploitation system of the fishery resources of the Mauritanian EEZ is classify into three main categories: - Artisanal fishing; - Coastal fishing; - Industrial fishing.

The production structure is largely dominated by industrial fishing that accounts more than half of the catches but represents only 40% of total the value of landings.. Artisanal and coastal fishing are growing remounting to 15% of the catches from a mere 4% a couple of years ago.

Around 90% of the catches are pelagic species followed by cephalopods and demersal fish at respectively 4% and finally crustaceans. Demersal species account for just over 20% of the value of catches, and cephalopods around 30% (mainly octopus), whereas crustaceans only account for 10% of the value.

Some 60% of the industrial fishing vessels are owned by foreign fleets fishing under agreement (EU) or under free licenses (countries of Eastern Europe, and flags of convenience).

Processing Most export-oriented processing units are dedicated to the freezing and storage of whole products. Only recently a few factories are starting a sophisticated processing of fresh products.

According to an EU report, in 2012 there were 93 factories onshore processing seafood, 70% of which were approved for export to European Union markets. Although the fishing capital may be moving to the capital now, in 2012 most of the processing and processing units (70%) are located in Nouadhibou.

The main exports of the waters of Mauritania include: • whole fresh or frozen products (frozen cephalopods, frozen demersal fish, frozen pelagic fish) • processed products (head off, gutted, hulled, ...)

• Processed products (salted, dried, salted-dried, fermented fishmeal and fish oil)

Long term strategy Although still underdeveloped compared to its neighbours, the sector has gone through a series of long term strategies. Their objective was always to create a higher added value industry that would generate sustainable economic growth and integrate the sector to the national economy.

The new strategic development plan of the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy of Mauritania, aims to harness the country's fishing potential and increase profits in a sustainable way, creating an inclusive blue economy that generates wealth and jobs.

One of the main pillars to do so is the ports and infrastructure development which has been strengthen and continues to improve. The large major projects for the improvement of port infrastructure reflected in this strategy include the Artisanal Port of Nouadhibou, the Port of Tanit and a future Special Economic Zone, the Port of N’Diago and PK 28.

Fish exporters favor the creation of a label of “Mauritania Origin” forcing the industry to jump into quality rather than quantity.. From a raw material exporter, to an exporter of higher valued processed fish products They all agree that transparency is a major issue to be improved in the sector. Preferential access to financing, exhaustive monitoring of fishing vessels and sustainable conservation of the fishing ground would also be required to transform the sector..

2015-2019 official strategy

The Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy adopted a USD400 Million sectoral strategy based on the need to create a public-private partnership framework structured in 4 major investment areas: • Governance and sustainable management of fisheries • Integration of the sector into the national economy • Increase of Human Capital • Development of inland fisheries and aquaculture The implementation of the program is expected to increase the Treasury revenue to over USD 135 millions, the fishing activity + USD 84 millions and the downstream and processing activities + USD 93 million.

The reconstitution of the octopus stock; a better valuation of bycatch; the increased landing and the valuation of the products landed will increase the value of exports to +USD 280 million with a strong impact on trade balance.

The expected social spin-offs from these investments also concern the increase in the volume of jobs and the fight against food insecurity by distributing fish nationally and increasing local consumption by + 66%.

Main obstacles to development According to sector operators, to develop fisheries in Mauritania industrially there is a need to create ways of preferential access to financing, still expensive in the country; exhaustive monitoring of fishing vessels and sustainable conservation of the fishing ground.

The main goal within the strategy of the Ministry of Fishing and Maritime Economy is to process inland most catches before exporting. This requires the creation of a real added value industry including factories of canned fish or semi-processed fish for which a battery of incentives would be given. The installation of factories dedicated to produce industry-related gears or equipment would also benefit since Mauritania does not produce any of the materials necessary for the operation of fishing companies.

The major concern is the risk of over-exploitation of Mauritanian waters. To prevent it, apart from the creation of Marine Protected Areas, two biological seasons of two months each were installed.

Fishing is not allowed during those periods that extend against the most productive months which are May and June, and October and November.

Marine Protected Areas Mauritania has four Marine Protected Areas: to the North on the coast are located the Banc d’Arguin National Park and Ras Nouadhibou Park. To the south reaching the border with Senegal, are Chat Tboul and Diawling National Parks.

The main marine protected area in Mauritania is undoubtedly the Banc d’Arguin National Park (PNBA). Created in 1976 as a breeding area for endemic and migratory bird species first and then extended to protect the marine ecosystems as well.

Diawling National Park, the second more important protected area, consists of wetlands up the Senegal River delta. The alternation of freshwater and seawater generates huge biodiversity, and also contributes to reproduction.

Environmental Challenges Although the coastal waters of Mauritania have long been preserved, the country´s development and the climate change can directly impact the fragile ecosystem.

As a gas-rich country, the exploration and exploitation of offshore oil and gas present new challenges that include the increase of maritime transport off the coast.Recurrent droughts have

play a crucial role.

In Mauritania there are four Marine Protected Areas. Two of these, the Banc d’Arguin National Park and Ras Nouadhibou, are situated in the north on the coast, whereas Chat Tboul and Diawling are in the south, close to the border with Senegal.

Table 1: Marine Protected Areas Designation of the Area Banc d’Arguin

Type National Park Wetland (Ramsar Convention) World Heritage2

Ras Nouadhibou Chat Tboul Diawling

Satellite Reserve Wetland (Ramsar Convention) National Park

Date of designation 24 June 1976

Total surface area in km2 12 075

Marine surface area in km2

IUCN Category

6 245

II

22 October 1982 1 January 1989 2 April 1986

11 730

6 000

VI

12 000

600

VI

2 100

1 680

10 November 2000 1 January 1990

155 130

II

expelled people from inland to coastal areas where new urban developments are taking place.

The Banc d’Arguin National Park (PNBA) is the main marine protected area in Mauritania. It Ultimately, the mining industry, one of the main sources of income of the Mauritanian economy, has a high level of protection, and entry into the park is restricted, except for the hundred or presents a threat when is located close to the coast. Agriculture development would also so inhabitants of the Imraguen tribe and the transit of caravans.

constitute a problem when related with water management or the uncontrolled use of pesticides.

The PNBA was created in 1976 to protect a breeding area for endemic and migratory bird Fishing Sector Authority species.

At thatRegulatory time, protection of the marine ecosystems was not included. The PNBA has enabled the continued fishing activity of the Imraguen, who is fish for grey authority mullet byofstanding in in The Ministry of Fisheries and the Maritime Economy (MPEM) regulatory the sector the water and interacting with dolphins. charge of designing, coordinating, promoting and monitoring the implementation of government

policy in the areas of fishing, oceanography, the merchant navy and maritime training. It is the

The Fisheries Partnership Agreement signed between the European Community and Mauritania competent national authority for monitoring the quality, hygiene and sanitation of establishments, in 2006 provides that, from the total financial contribution paid by the European Union, EUR 1 products and fishing production areas. The laws and regulations pertaining to fishing are million per year must be used for the Banc d’Arguin National Park. Diawling National Park contained in the Fisheries Code of 29 JulyRiver 2015 delta. and the decree implementing the legislation. consists of wetland areas in the Senegal The alternating freshwater and seawater This ministerial is responsible for important the development of living marine resources, encourages hugedepartment biodiversity, and plays an role in and the use reproduction of fish in the and brackish and inland waters.

The conservation, preservation and exploitation of fishing Senegal River.

resources are an integral part of its remit. The same is true for research into fisheries- related activities, oceanography, aquaculture, the social economics of fisheries and related activities.

Monitoring and surveillance of fisheries in the waters under national jurisdiction also fall under the authority of this ministry.

12 Mauritania - EU Fishing Agreement In September 2019, Mauritania and the European Union (EU) extended for one more year the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA), which signed in 2015 for 4 years regulates the fishing conditions and benefits of Europeans fishing fleets in Mauritanian waters. Although a new 4-year deal is still pending to be approved before November 2020, this extension avoids possible blockages of fishing in Mauritanian waters.

Under the terms of the agreement between Nouakchott and Brussels, the European fleet is allowed to fish in the Mauritanian territorial waters shrimp, demersal fish, tuna and small pelagic fish up to 287,050 tons per year. Octopus is exclusively reserved for national artisanal fishermen.

In return, Europeans pay Mauritania a financial contribution of €61.625 million per year in the form of royalties, of which €4.125 million are earmarked to the sustainable development of the sector, to

support local fishing communities and to improve fisheries governance. In addition, around USD62 millions are paid in fees by shipowners for licences.

Under the Mauritania EU protocol, a total fleet of 58 vessels is allowed. Spain is allocated the majority of the shrimp quota and the entire allowed catch of demersal fish, including the black hake quota. Italy and Portugal hold the remaining shrimp quota. Small pelagic fish, which constitute the bulk of the total catch volume, are allocated mainly to the Netherlands, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland, with the rest distributed between Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland and France. The protocol also provides for tuna fishing possibilities for up to 40 vessels from Spain and France. For this quota, the reference tonnage is 20 000 tonnes per year. The protocol also includes measures to increase transparency. Mauritania is required to make public any agreement granting foreign vessels access to its waters.

In the new negotiation, the EU will seek to gain access to Mauritanian waters to more European vessels and will include new provisions on transparency, sustainability and human rights. The fisheries agreement between the North African country and the EU has been in place since 1989.

To ensure the correct application of the agreement, two bodies have been set up: the Joint Committee (JC) and the Independent Joint Scientific Committee (JSC).

Fishing relations between Mauritania and a third country are independently regulated. For example, in 2010 China signed a USD100 million agreement with Mauritania for the leasing of fishing rights for 25 years. They are a major source of financing to the Mauritanian fishing sector development. They have participated in the construction of fishing ports and other infrastructure related to the industry. China is indeed one of the top investors in the sector in the country and is planning also to start its industrial development there with the construction of processing plants by 2020.

Mauritanian Fishing Fleet According to a 2015 report of the EU, the industrial and small-scale fishing fleet of Mauritania totals around 4,000 national vessels which catches account for less than half of total catches. A higher volume of catches are by long-distance fleets or boats that have access through the open licence regime (EU, Russia, Ukraine, China).

The fleet is split into two parts: the industrial fleet and the small- scale fleet. Although 90% of the catch is made by the industrial fleet, its impact on job creation and added value is limited.

The industrial fleet is focused on bottom fishing: octopus, crustaceans and other demersal species.

It consists of 140 vessels, of which 94 are freezer vessels, and 10 are involved in fishing for crustaceans. The Mauritanian fleet also includes 46 freezer trawlers. The Mauritanian industrial fleet is not involved in pelagic fishing.

Non-industrial fishing can be divided into two parts: small-scale and inshore fishing.

The vessels involved in small-scale fishing are uncovered and can be up to 14 metres in length, and their tonnage ranges between one and five tonnes of gross registered tonnage (GRT). They use manual gear or purse seines.

The vessels involved in inshore fishing may or may not be covered and are up to 26 metres in length. They do not use trawls or drag nets and do not have freezing facilities.

They can’t operate in waters less than 20 metres deep and less than six miles from the coast.

These fleets have expanded considerably from 500 vessels in in 1986 to 4 200 in 2007. It is estimated that 3 200 vessels are currently operational. Of those, 110 are sailing vessels that operate in the vicinity of the Banc d’Arguin.

Commercialisation and distribution of fish Most of the exports are handled by the Société Mauritanienne de Commercialisation des Produits de Pêche (SMCP), which has a monopoly on frozen products. In 2014, the export value of Mauritanian fishery products reached USD380 millions. It is a public limited company owned 70% by the State and 30% by the private sector.

Local distribution is handled by the Société Nationale de Distribution du Poisson (SNDP) involved in the endeavour of increasing fish consumption in a battle to fight food insecurity in the country. In Mauritania consuming fish is something new and people don’t even know how to conserve or prepare fish. The SNDP has extended the networks to consumers and strengthened the refrigeration infrastructure improving fish distribution in all the national territory. The Spanish Cooperation has played an important role in the development of the SNDP networks.

AGRICULTURE The agricultural sector

Overshadowed by the glamour of the oil, gas and mining industries, agriculture in Mauritania is broadly unknown but a key element to the economic skeleton of the country. It accounts for 27.8 percent of the GDP, slightly less than the extractive sector, which contributes with 29,3 percent, but it employs more than half of the country´s labour force, up to 718,000 people. Around 80 percent of its contribution comes from breeding alone. 60% of the rural population lives on agriculture and animal breeding.

Mauritania is mostly a desert country with a long tradition of nomad life - pastoral subsistence - so agriculture didn’t really happen until recently when small populations started to settle. Weather conditions and climate change has long been impacting Mauritania´s agriculture production and livestock. The country experiences structural food deficits, recurrent drought and environmental degradation, making access to food difficult for vulnerable households. Climate change has put many agropastoral households at serious risk of food insecurity worsen by the Sahel Crisis. To put an example, in a good rainy year, rain-fed farming, which is the most popular in Mauritania, can expand its land limitations by 300 percent covering up to 200,000 hectares.

There is a significant agricultural potential. The useful agricultural area is estimated at around 500,000 ha and a large herd estimated at around 8,5 million TLP (Total Livestock Population.The land is laboured primarily as self-subsistence farming, although industrial and commercial farming are growing along the Senegal River Valley where most of the fertile land is. In this area, large local

groups operate with the basic infrastructure and perimeters in place all the way to the vicinity of Rosso.

The main agricultural products are rice, dates, corn and sorghum complemented by camel, initially, and then cattle and sheep breeding around the Mauritanian territory. A cluster of industries have evolved around those products creating mills, factories of dairies, pasta, juices, etc…

__________________________________________ BOX Characterisation of the Rural Sector Agro-ecological zones and production systems Arid Zone • 80% of the total area • Dry air and very low rainfall • The reference production system is oasis type (palm and cereals, alfalfa, fruits and vegetables as associated crops) • Transhumant and extensive breeding of camels and small ruminants • 16,000 ha in the oasis system, ie 3% of the useful agricultural area (UAA).

Sahelian Zone • South-East of Mauritania where a dry winter season alternates with a rainy summer season.

• The production system is of the agro-pastoral type.

• In the East: Transhumant and extensive breeding and traditional rain-fed crops (sorghum, millet, maize) on an estimated potential of 250,000 ha, or 49% of the potential UAA • In the south: crops (sorghum, corn, vegetables) behind dams and lowlands on a potential estimated at around 60,000 ha, or 12% of the UAA River Valley Zone • Irrigated agriculture with total water control over an estimated potential of 135,000 Ha (Cereals, Fruits and Vegetables, etc.) or 26% of the potential UAA • Walo natural or controlled flooding systems estimated at 40,000 ha (Sorghum and Maize) or 8% of the potential UAA which depends for approximately 50% on the management of the dam • Sedentary, semi-intensive breeding, mainly practiced in the river valley with short transhumance during the growing season.

Maritime Zone • A 50 km-wide coastal strip from Nouadhibou to the lower delta of the river • Possibility of developing market gardening and arboricultural crops on a potential estimated at around 12,000 Ha, or 2% of the potential UAA • Urban-type livestock farming is developed near towns.

Source: Ministry of Rural Development _____________________________________________________

Food Security Mauritania imports most of the country´s alimentary needs and it is vulnerable to the fluctuation of international prices as well as transportation conditions. The country suffers from chronic shortages of alimentary products and has been fighting to achieve a decent food security for years. With 4,4 million habitants growing at one of the highest global rates, 2,09 percent in 2020, the alimentary needs will nothing but grow. Additionally, as urbanisation and sedentarism change people´s eating habits, the local diet has changed from rice, camel and goat meat, milk and dates to include fish, potatoes and other vegetables.

The escalade in local consumption and the introduction of food storage, new technologies, techniques and new products as potatoes, introduced by the Food Alimentary Organisation (FAO) with many other projects, have increased the overall agriculture and livestock production but still is not enough to cover for the country´s consumption.

Other initiatives are taking place to increase the supply of dairy products, with livestock fodder plants, the development of forage crops and the improvement of local breeds. The state’s policy takes animal breeding as a major contributor in the fight against poverty as a primary source of income and a method of capitalisation. currently, it ensures self-sufficiency in red meat and covers 30% of milk requirements.

The sector has space for a larger development. There is significant margin for the development of the poultry sector and the skin and leather industry. Cereals like millet and sorghum are produced across the Senegal River but mostly for self-consumption. Wheat is mainly supported by imports and rice has a great potential but it is underdeveloped. There are 1,9 million of palm trees, but the production of dates isn’t significant. Fresh fruit and vegetable production is concentrated in the cold season, which lasts about two months (December and January) and is limited. The rest of the year, the market is supplied by imports from the sub-region (Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal) and Europe.

Breeding Breeding plays a crucial role in the fight against poverty and food insecurity, but the potential remains far from being exploited at its optimal level. There are three livestock systems: o Extensive livestock farming predominantly throughout the country except in the river zone. o Sedentary and sometimes semi-intensive breeding in the river valley with a short transhumance during the growing season. o Peri-urban livestock farming for milk production.

The Mauritanian herd is estimated at 1.6 million cattle, 16 million sheep and goats, 1.4 million camels. The development potential is significant with encouraging genetic improvement (selection of animal breeds), the development of poultry farming, the more rational exploitation of natural and fodder resources and the improvement of breeding practices.

Agriculture There are constrains to overcome but there is an enormous potential to be exploited depending on the agro-ecological zones.

The cultivable potential is estimated at 513,000 ha, all cropping systems combined. 71% of the potential is made up of land that can be exploited in a traditional production system that strongly depends on rainfall, water flow and therefore the quality of hydraulic infrastructure. Agriculture is strongly subject to climatic hazards, particularly rain-fed agriculture. Over the 1983-2012 period,

development in this system varied between a minimum of 30,000 ha (1983) and a maximum of 264,000 ha (2011).

There is strong potential for intensifying production in an irrigated system with controlled diversification according to production systems Rural infrastructure Rural infrastructure is poorly developed. There are scarce water resources and a fragile soil subject to the physical effects of climate. However, there has been significan efforts to improve rural infrastructure with irrigated perimeters, dams, dikes and bunds, small hill reservoirs, water points for human and pastoral food, vaccination parks, etc. But there is the need to optimize the use of resources and the implementation of a water and soil conservation policy as well as a master plans for development and application of texts (land plans, water code, pastoral code, etc.).

Under- develop potentiality Generally, the sector´s production capacities & export capabilities are underexploited given the geographical strategic location of Mauritania and the availability of land and conditions.

Mauritania is also the closest tropical country to Europe, with weather conditions that allow it to grow produce in the off-season at low production costs.

It is the Atlantic door to all the Sahel market with up to 80 million potential customers and to West Africa, a larger 300 million market. Some of the businesses established in the agroindustrial sector of Mauritania are exporting its products to neighbouring countries and even Europe but still lack of the neccessary knowledge and technologies to face the jump to international markets.

But, there is still a strong dependence of the extensive livestock system and traditional agriculture on rainfall, the human capital is not trained and the sector is under financed. As elsewhere, there is a high risk of rural exodus which will in turn create an even greater risk of food deficit that will demand budget-intensive imports. The political will is, therefore, aligned with the sector´s development and promotes the promising future in terms of markets, both national and international The Integrated Development Programme for Irrigated Agriculture in Mauritania (PDIAIM), has long supported the shift of the sector to the internationalisation with pilot projects that had a considerable ripple effect on the sector´s development and paved the way for others creating a logistic channel to Europe. ________________________________ BOX MAIN CONSTRAINS FOR DEVELOPMENT - Great potential that remains poorly exploited. Only 24% of the potential in irrigated area is exploited.

- Problem of control and management of surface water.

- The livestock and rain-fed agriculture sub-sectors are undervalued despite their importance and are exploited in a traditional way.

- Lack of synergy between agriculture and livestock as part of integrated rural development

- Inefficiency of irrigated agriculture and water control - Underdeveloped transformation

~ 75% of the poor come from rural areas ~ 6 out of 10 people in rural areas live below the poverty line - Around 48% of rural people are illiterate.

- Weak response to domestic demand - 10% of rural households are chronically food insecure and another 10% are highly vulnerable - Increase in the use of imports of basic foodstuffs (wheat, rice, sugar, milk, etc.)

- Increases in food prices - Saharo-Sahelian country - Climatic instability manifested by phenomena which strongly affect agricultural production: recurrent drought, floods, advance of sands, …

- Vulnerability of agro-pastoral activities and traditional crops to climatic hazards Source. Ministry of Rural Development, FAO, UNCTAD _______________________________________________________________ Public Strategy Mauritanian agriculture has not yet emerged as a modern competitive industry, it mostly remains as subsistence agriculture. To take the sector to its real possibilities, the government has outlined a long term strategy to attract private investment, work towards self- sufficiency and eradicate poverty. This strategy acts specifically in inputs, extended credits and support to internationalise.

The Sector's first Development Strategy Rural (SDSR) was developed in 1998 and then implemented in consistency with the Strategic Framework for Combating Poverty in 2001. This and subsequent policies failed to increase the contribution of agriculture and breeding to the country's economic growth, and to effective reduction of poverty and food insecurity.

The latest strategy, Rural Development Strategy for 2025, is accompanied by an agro-pastoral orientation law and an action plan for the development of livestock and agriculture 2013-2025. The main objectives of this new action plan are the development and implementation of an AgroPastoral Orientation Law (LOAP); fostering innovation and human development in the rural sector through increasing research, innovation and extension and investing education and vocational training; determining the financing policy for the rural sector and propose public / private partnership arrangements within favorable conditions for investments.

_________________________________________________________ BOX Current Projects of the Ministere du développement rural Les projets/programmes sous-tutelles du Ministère de l’Agriculture sont : • Projet de lutte contre la pauvreté dans l’Aftout Sud et le Karakoro (PASK II), financement Fonds International de Développement Agricole (FIDA) • Projet de développement des Infrastructures de base en zone rurale aride de Mauritanie, volet Oasis, financement Fonds Arabe de développement Economique et Sociale (FADES) • Programme de Lutte contre la Pauvreté Rurale par l’Appui aux Filières (ProLPRAF), financement Fonds International de Développement Agricole (FIDA)

• Projet de Développement d’une Résilience face à la Récurrence de l’Insécurité Alimentaire en Mauritanie, financement Banque Islamique de Développement (BID) • PPF de préparation du PAHABO-II, financement Banque Africaine de Développement (BAD) • Programme de renforcement de la résilience à l’insécurité alimentaire et nutritionnelle au Sahel (P2RS), financement Banque Africaine de Développement (BAD) • Projet d’amélioration de la résilience des populations les plus vulnérables dans la commune d’Aleg, financement Agence Espagnole de Coopération Internationale et du Développement (AECID) ____________________________________________________ BOX COMPANIES SUPERVISED BY THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT The public establishments under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture are: - le Centre National de Recherche Agronomique et de Développement Agricole (CNRÀDA) ; - l’Office National de Recherches et Développement de l’Elevage (ONARDEL) ; - le Laboratoire Patho-Biotechnologie du Palmier Dattier d'Atar (LPPDA) ; - le Centre National de Lutte Antiacridienne et Anti-aviaire (CNLAA) ; - l’Ecole Nationale de Formation et de Vulgarisation Agricole (ENFVA) ; - la Ferme de M'Pourié ; - la Société Nationale pour le Développement Rural (SONADER) ; - la Société Nationale de l’Aménagement Agricole et des Travaux (SNAAT) ; - la Société Mauritanienne des Produits Laitiers (SMPL); - la Société des Abattoirs de Nouakchott (SAN).

- la Société Toumour Mauritania (STM) ; - la Compagnie Mauritanienne de Sucre et Dérivés (COMASUD) ; - La Centrale d’Approvisionnement en Intrants d’Elevage (CAIE) ; - l’Union Nationale des Caisses de Crédit et d'Epargne de l'Elevage (UNCECEL).

• le Centre National de Recherche Agronomique et de Développement Agricole (CNRADA) ; • l’Ecole Nationale de Formation et de Vulgarisation Agricole (ENFVA) ; • le Centre National de Lutte Antiacridienne (CNLA) ; • la Ferme de M’Pourié ; • la Société Nationale pour le Développement Rural (SONADER) ; • la Société Nationale de l’Aménagement Agricole et des Travaux (SNAAT) ; • La Compagnie Mauritanienne de Sucre et Dérivées (COMASUD).

• Centre de Formation des Producteurs Ruraux ______________________________________________

WEBS http://www.agriculture.gov.mr/index.php?lang=fr http://www.fao.org/countryprofiles/index/en/?iso3=MRT https://unctad.org/en/pages/PublicationArchive.aspx?publicationid=9323

EDUCATION Education in Mauritania “Education is the only way to ensure social advancement and economic development of individuals and communities. We need to find radical solutions to the structural problems”.

Those were the words of the then recently appointed president of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Al Ghazouani in his sworn-in speech. “We will fight for a country where education, health, access to basic services, innovation, and investment in knowledge will change the destiny of both individual and collectives”.

BOX ___________________________ Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 53.5% male: 63.7% female: 43.4% (2017) Source. UNESCO ___________________________ In his first national budget 2020-21, to underline his determination in building a knowledge society in Mauritania, Al Ghazouani impulsed one of the highest figures of the country´s history. A 12 percent of the national budget 2020-21, some USD 200 million, was allocated to the education system in 2020, 30 millions more than in 2019.

In 2020, education represented 3,3 percent of the country´s GDP from 2,6% percent in 2016.

BOX ____________________ Education expenditures: 2.6% of GDP 2016 3,3% of GDP 2019 Source. CIA WorldFact book ___________________

Mauritania´s adult (15+) literacy rate increased from 51.2 % in 2000 to 53.5% in 2017, according to the latest figures released by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Although indicators on education development in Mauritania have improved constantly for the past 10 years, figures show that there is still work to be done.

BOX _________________________ School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 8 years male: 8 years female: 8 years (2017) Source. CIA Worldfact book _______________________________________________ The importance of Human Capital Education remains a major problem in Mauritania´s society and a constrain to development. One and a half million people out of 4 million Mauritanians are still illiterate.

Illiteracy amongst women continue to be larger than men.

Source. UNESCO The quality of both, primary and secondary education has improved over the past decade but it lacks from the needed funds to transform it into a high quality and universal system.

Tertiary education enrolment is very low in Mauritania, and as a result, most of the workforce doesn’t have the necessary skills to enter the labour market and support the development of the national economy. Some would even say that the lack of skilled and well educated labour force is, in fact, the worst burden of all.

Mauritania's Human Development Index (HDI) last value was 0.527 in 2018 which sets the country in the low human development category at 161 out of 189 countries and territories.

Between 1990 and 2018, Mauritania's HDI value increased 39.4 percent, from 0.378 to 0.527. Most of the actions taken by the government to improve valuation in this index are indeed, related to education.

“The higher education and scientific research system in Mauritania has undergone major transformations over the past five years aimed at improving the quality of service to users.

The trend in indicators confirms that improvement. We have shown consistency in our strategy adopting several actions that affects both the structural configuration of our higher education system and the institutional governance”, says Dr. Sidi Salem Mohamed El Abd Ministre de L'Enseignement Supérieur, de la Recherche Scientifique et des technologies de l’information.

For an emerging industrial economy like Mauritania, the market requires specific technical skills that the country has to provide. The shortage of a skilled workerforce has become a barrier for development. The new government commitment to transform education into a new paradigma has a priority: increase vocational training schools. Far-reaching initiatives to improve technical and vocational training recruitment are currently in place partly funded by World Bank loans

A latecomer to modern education Mauritania gained independence from France in 1960, only 60 years ago. The literacy rate of the country at that time was 5 percent. Today more than half of the population of Mauritania is literate. But such a large country - a million square kilometres - with such a dispersed still nomadic population makes any attempt to meet the needs of all

Mauritanians in terms of health, education and access to basic services not only a challenge, but a very expensive one.

Before independence, the public education in Mauritania was overseen by the french colonial administration who also faced the challenge of a nomadic population and fought it with “mobile schools” at the time. Their schools coexisted with the traditional islamic schools, dated from as back as the XII century when Mauritania was one of the world’s epicentres of knowledge. Cities like Chinguetti or Oulata where important centres of Koranic education. Later, in 1955, the Institute of Islamic Studies was founded at Boutilimit.

Over the first decade of existence, the successive governments of Mauritania promoted constant alphabetisation campaigns with limited but real results on people. Primary and secondary schools started to spread in the country, which diverse population and origines where unified around the Islam and the Arabic language. The system, however, adapted slowly to a more secular french education.

According to Wikipedia, in 1985 there were 140,871 students at primary schools and 34,674 students at secondary and vocational schools. There were a total of 878 primary schools and 44 secondary or vocational institutions. Mauritania was under the Economic Recovery Program during those years.

A new approach In 1999, the government implemented the biggest reform of the education system so far towards more secularism. The introduction of other national languages other than Arabic like Soninke, Pulaar or Wolof was slow.

The first instruction for children in Mauritania stars at 4 to 6 years old at pre-primary education. At the age of 6 and for 6 years they attend primary education which is compulsory and supposedly free. There are families which simply can’t afford sending their children at school, because of the distance or for economic reasons. From primary to secondary school there is a high drop-out rate. Secondary education is divided into two stages, the "College" for 4 years and the "Lycée" for 3 years. At the Lycée, there are four programs: Arabic and Islam; Modern languages; Natural sciences; and Mathematics. From the Lycée students can access university.

The first modern university of the country, the University of Nouakchott, was inaugurated around 20 years after independence, in 1981. Compared to its fellow African countries, Mauritania was one of the latest countries to join a higher educational status. The oldest African university of modern times is considered to be the University of Cape Town founded in 1829 followed much later by Cairo University in1908. _________________________________________ BOX The education system

Source. UNESCO The University has approximately 12,072 students (2016-2017) supervised by 472 permanent teacher-researchers, an average staffing rate of 1 teacher-researcher for 25 students. It is made up of five entities: the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST: 3,518 students), the Faculty of Medicine (FM: 1,009 students), the Professional University Institute (IUP: 618 students), the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences (3219 students) and the Faculty of Legal and Economic Sciences (3708 students).

Other higher education centres in Mauritania include the National School of Administration, Journalism and Magistrature, the National Teachers School and the National School of Public Health. The Lebanese International University of Mauritania is the most renown education institution in the private sector.

The opportunity of a very young country The country´s population is made up of very young people which for many, presents an opportunity. More than half of them (around 60%) are under the age of 25. This figure indicates also that most of the population is, therefore, still in its learning years.

In 2011, a second edition of the structural world bank program to improve education in Mauritania was introduced. The “Programme national de développement du secteur educatif 2011-2020 (PNDSE II) focuses on improving the access and quality of basic and secondary education; creating a better network of qualified teachers and reducing the low transition rate from primary to secondary school. The plan incides in the idea of equal access to education for all and better quality of both, teachers and premises preserving the islamic core to promote national unity.

The advance is slow and can’t be otherwise. According to international figures, 31 percent of the population still lives below the poverty line. It does not contribute to improving the school attendance rates. Families simply cannot afford to send their children to school.

Due to distance, or resources, inequality in Mauritania is the first round to fight against illiteracy.

Total debt service (% of GNI)

6.20

GDP in billions - PPP$

Pre-primary

18

374,234

Population aged 14 years and younger represents 40% of the to

Primary

674,701

Secondary

659,426

387,488 Participation in Education ucation System Compulsory education lasts 9 years from age 6 to age 14 In the last census from 2013. Recensement Général la Population etthede l’Habitat For primary de to post-secondary education, academic year begins in September Number of out-of-school children and ends in June Number of out-of-school adolescents (RGPH), the majority population, 64.7 percent, had reached primary school, 7.7 Official school ages by levelof of the education School-age population by education level 160 Pre-primary Primary Secondary Tertiary 160 Pre-primary 374,234 percent middle school and only19-23 5.2 percent high school. Technical and vocational 3-5 140 6-11 12-18 140 Primary 674,701 education and higher education recorded very low scores, of 2.5% and 0.31% respectively.

120 120 Secondary 659,426 100 100 Only 55% of children aged 6 to 11 are enrolled in primary school, according to World Bank 80 Tertiary 80 387,488 figures. 60 60 Participation in Education

In thousands

In thousands

Tertiary

40 20

Number of out-of-school children 0 2010 2011 2012Secondary 2013 2014 2015 30,30 2016 2017 percent 2018 2019 Pre-primary Primary Tertiary In 2019,160Mauritania scored 3-5 6-11 12-18 19-23

Compulsory education lasts 9 years from age 6 to age 14 40 For primary to post-secondary education, the academic year begins in September and ends in June20 Number of out-of-school adolescents 0

In thousands

In thousands

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 in the GINI coefficient, where 0 represents 160 Male Female No data Male Female No data from the perfect 140 equality and 100 implies perfect inequality. It 140 improved 23 percent 120 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 previous120year.

100

Out-of-school children 80

Total60 rticipation in Education

20 0

Number of

80

145,484

145,950

156,482

144,732

135,997

60

...

164,677

138,310

129,168

...

67,901

66,863

70,409

66,444

61,871

40

...

75,256

61,573

60,060

...

77,583 children 79,087 out-of-school

86,073

78,288

74,126

20

40 Female

Male

100

0

Out-of-school adolescents 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

2010

160

In thousands

140

Male

Female

data...

No

Female 120

2010

Male 100

...

2011

...

...

92,875

137,170

...

48,267 2012 44,608

68,173 2013 68,997

...

Out-of-school children

80

%

60Total

145,484 145,950 Pre-primary education

156,482

144,732

70,409

66,444

40

...

86,073

78,288

74,126 16

20

...

14

0

6

2012

4

2013

2014

Female

2015

2016

No data 2010

Male

2017

2018

...

...

...

...

2019

92,875

137,170

0 Total 2006 % 20 18 Female Gross 16 Male 14

2007

...2011

2008

2009

2010

68,173

2011

8

66,444

77,583

79,087

86,073

78,288

2011

2012

2013

...

92,875

137,170

...

2009

2010

Gross enrolment ratio

Gross50enrolment Female 40 30 Male

... ...

48,267 ...

68,173 ...

... ...

... ...

44,608 ...

68,997 ... ...

0 ...

2011

...

2012

...

2013

...

...

...

2017

2018

2019

...

78,511 2016 91,954

76,364 2017 88,662

64,886 2018 78,121

...

164,677

138,310

129,168

...

75,256

61,573

60,060

...

89,421

76,737

69,108

...

2019

...

2010

Pre-primary education by sex

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

...

170,465

165,026

...

78,511

76,364

64,886

...

...

2016 91,954

2017 88,662

2018 78,121

2019 ...

Male

Female

143,007

2019

...

No data

Net50 enrolment rate (%) 40Gross enrolment ratio (%) Total 30Total 20 Female 10Female

...

2013

170,465

76,737

69,108

2015

...

2017

2018

165,026

143,007

...

2019

10.49 ...

78,511...

76,364...

...

64,886

...

11.72 ...

91,954...

88,662...

...

78,121

...

9.3 2007

2008

...

2009

...

2010

...

...

...

2015 ...

2016 ...

2017 ...

...

...

...

2012 ...

2013 ...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

2015 ...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

2006

89,421 2016

16 2014 ...

14 ...

12

2011 ...

2012 ...

...

2015

18 ...

...

2011

sex 2012

...

75,256 60,060 enrolment ratio, male 61,573 Gross enrolment ratio,...female

...

2013

... ... ... ...

20 PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION 2010 2011 2012 2013 10 Primary education 0 enrolment ratio (%) Gross % 110 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 100 Total ... ... ... ...

Gross enrolment ratio Net enrolment rate 90 Female ... ... ... ...

80 70 Male ... ... ... ...

PRIMARY EDUCATION 2010 2011 2012 2013 60

Male0 Male

2016

143,007 data

2011

...

2012

...

2013

2015

Pre-primary by sex enrolment ratio, male education Gross enrolment ratio, female % Gross 20

Primary education

ratio

2015

2010 ...

Male Gross enrolment ratio (%)

6% 110 Female 4 100 90 Male 2 80 Net enrolment rate (%) 0 70 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 60 Total

2014 12 10 137,076 8

... ...

...

Female PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION

18 61,871 Gross 16 74,12614

6 66,183 ...

4 70,893 ...

2

education

Total

Total

2015

0 Pre-primary education by 135,997 164,677 138,310 2008 2009 2010 129,168 2011 % 20 2006 ...2007

144,732

70,409

2010

Pre-primary Net enrolment rate (%)

2013 156,482 2015

66,863

6Total Female 4 Male2Female 2008

2012

67,901

12 PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION Out-of-school adolescents 10 Total8Gross enrolment ratio (%)

2007

2014

2

Pre-primary education 145,484 145,950

enrolment ratio

0Male 2006

12 137,076 10

66,1838 6 ... 201244,608 2013 68,997 2014 70,893 2015 4 48,267

2 Out-of-school children

10

...

60

79,087

Male

12

%

66,863

8 Female

14

135,997

77,583 2011

2013

80

67,901

12 2010 10 Total

16

140

2012

76,737 69,108 ... out-of-school adolescents

170,465 Female 165,026 No

66,183 ...

120 2014 2015 70,893 100 ...

20

140Out-of-school adolescents

18

2011

...

Male

40Female

16 Male

20

160

20 61,871 18

20 18

%

137,076

In thousands

Total

...

89,421 Number of

...

2018

... ...

...

2019

... ...

10 ...

10.49 ... ... ... ...

8 Primary education by sex % 110 6...

11.72 ... ... ... ...

100 4 ...

9.3 ... ... ... ...

90 2 80 0 70 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2015 ... ... ... ... ... ...

60 50 Gross enrolment ratio, male Gross enrolment ratio, female ... ... ... ... ... ...

40 30 ... ... ... ... ... ...

20 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 10 0 Primary education by sex % 110 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 100 ...

10.49 ... ... ... ...

Gross Gross enrolment ratio, female 90 enrolment ratio, male ...80 11.72 ... ... ... ...

70 9.3 2014...60 2015 2016...

2017 ...

2018 ...

2019 ...

50

...

99.68

...

98.21

...

98.89

...

99.02

...

101.96

...

100.87

...

101.43

...

101.4

...

97.46

...

95.63

...

96.43

...

96.71

40 ...30 100.4 20 ...10 103.14 ... 0 97.74

...

104.51

...

96.83

...

96.66

...

99.89

... ...

...

107.04

...

99.78

...

99.81

...

102.75

... ...

...

102.05

...

93.97

...

93.6

...

97.11

... ...

Total

Gross enrolment ratio

72.37

72.45

71.16

73.81

74.39

73.69

70.98 2010

70.56 2011

68.7

Net enrolment rate

Female Male PRIMARY EDUCATION

2012

74.55

76.29

...

73.11

77.82

79.57

...

78.08

...

74.96

79.92

80.86

...

Gross enrolment ratio, male

76.3

72.85 74.56 2013 2014 2015

...

Gross enrolment ratio (%)

%

Secondary education

40 Total

99.68

98.21

98.89

99.02

101.96

100.87

101.43

101.4

97.46

95.63

96.43

96.71

Total 15

72.37

72.45

71.16

74.55

Female 10

73.81

74.39

73.69

5 Male

70.98

70.56

68.7

35 Female 30 Male 25 Net enrolment rate (%) 20

% 40 100.4

96.83

96.66

99.89

...

107.04

99.78

99.81

102.75

...

102.05

93.97

93.6

97.11

...

76.2915

...

73.11

77.82

79.57

...

76.3

78.0810

...

74.96

79.92

80.86

...

72.85

74.56 5

...

71.32

75.78

78.33

...

0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Secondary education

Secondary education by sex 40 % Gross enrolment ratio, male Gross enrolment ratio, female

Net enrolment rate

35

35 30

SECONDARY EDUCATION

2010

2011

2012

30 2014 25

2013

Gross enrolment ratio (%)

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

20

15 Total

20.75

22.9

27.26

30.1

30.71 15

31.42

10 Female

19.07

20.97

24.97

29.12

10 29.34

5 Male

22.38

24.78

29.49

31.06

5 32.05

0

...

20

% Gross 40 enrolment ratio

20

71.32 75.78 78.33 2016 2017 2018 2019

Secondary education by sex

104.51

35 103.14 30 97.74 25

0

25

Gross enrolment ratio, female

... rate Net enrolment

22.44

22.06 20.45

...

...

20.86

Male SECONDARY EDUCATION

...

...

201223.98

2011

36.83

...

30.27

32.2

32.63

37.14

...

32.54

33.14

32.5

36.54

...

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

...

Female 2010

32.57

0

Net rate2010 (%) 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2006enrolment 2007 2008 2009

Total Gross enrolment ratio

32.68

23.7 enrolment 24.98 ratio, 27.46 Gross male 22.72

24.17

28.19 Gross

28.28

30.98 ratio, female ... enrolment

28.51

31.72

...

201323.62 201424.66 201525.77 201626.67 201727.87 201830.25 2019

...

Gross enrolment ratio (%)

%

Tertiary education

Total 10

20.75

9 Female 8 Male 7

22.9

27.26

30.71 % 10

30.1

19.07

20.97

24.97

29.12

29.34

22.38

24.78

29.49

31.06

32.05 7

Tertiary education by sex 32.68 32.57 36.83

31.42

9 8

...

30.27

32.2

32.63

37.14

...

32.54

33.14

32.5

36.54

...

24.98

27.46

28.19

30.98

...

24.17

28.28

28.51

31.72

...

25.77

26.67

27.87

30.25

...

6

6 Net enrolment rate (%) 5 Total 4 3 Female 2 Male 1

...

...

22.44

22.06

...

...

20.86

20.45

...

...

23.98

23.62

5 23.7 4 22.72 3 2 24.66 1

0

0

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2015 2016 2017

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2015 2016 2017

Tertiary education

Tertiary education by sex 10 % Gross enrolment ratio, male Gross enrolment ratio, female

% Gross 10 enrolment ratio

9

9

8

8 7

TERTIARY EDUCATION

2010

2011

2012

2014 7 6

2013

6 5 Gross enrolment ratio (%)

4.36

4.74

5.13

5.41

2.5

2.76

3.05

3.3

1 Male 6.17 6.66 7.15 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2015 2016 2017

7.47

4 ...

3 2...

2010

2011

2012

2017

2018

2019

5.61

5.35

5

...

...

3.73

3.58

3.33

...

...

1...

7.44 7.08 6.62 ... ...

0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2015 2016 2017

enrolment ratio Progress and Gross Completion in Education TERTIARY EDUCATION

2016

5

HEALTH 4 Total 3 2 Female

2015

Gross enrolment ratio, male

2013

2014

2015 TOTAL

Gross enrolment ratio, female

2016 MALE

2017

2018 FEMALE

2019

The Mauritanian Health Sector Together with education, health is still a longstanding issue in Mauritania. The geography and size of the country pose major challenges to provide a minimum health coverage throughout all the population in the whole Progress and Completion in Education territory. Awareness of the urgent need to intensify actions to achieve healthEducation Expenditures related rates in Mauritania is strong. The challenges are immense and complex and span several domains—namely leadership and governance, organisational and institutional aspects, strategic health information, finance, and human and material resources.

Gross enrolment ratio (%) School life expectancy ISCED 1-8 (years) Total 4.36 Percentage of repeaters in primary (%) Female 2.5 Survival to the last grade of primary (%) Male 6.17 Gross intake ratio into the last grade of primary (%)

4.74

5.13

5.41

...

2.76 6.66

3.05

3.3

...

7.15

7.47

...

8.59 5.61 1.7 3.73 64.89 7.44 76.06

Primary to secondary transition rate (%)

TOTAL

2011

2012

2013

2014

(2017) ...

(2018) ...

(2016) ...

(2018)

67.56

63.63

(2017)

1.61

MALE

8.59

Percentage of repeaters in primary (%) 2010

8.49

3.58 63.29 7.08

65.56

School life expectancy ISCED 1-8 (years)

72.52

8.69 ...

1.78 ...

66.42 ...

79.69

5.35

2015

5

3.33 6.62

FEMALE

8.49

1.72016

2017 1.61

8.69

2018

(2017)

2019 (2018) 1.78

Survival to the last grade of primary (%) Government expenditure on education

64.89

63.29

66.42

(2016)

Gross intake as % of GDPratio into the last grade of primary 3.6 (%)

...

76.06 ...

2.63

72.52...

...79.69

(2018) ...

65.56 ...

9.33

67.56 ...

63.63 ...

(2017) ...

381.64

405.73

...

...

...

710.06

564.66

...

Primary secondary transition rate (%) as % of to total government

expenditure

16.04

3.05

2.78

2.94

13.68

10.02

11.41

...

321.76

320.35

325.51

...

Government expenditure per student (in PPP$) Primary education Education Expenditures

378.22

Secondary education Tertiary education

890

649.13

709.38

583.99

5464.7 2010

3038.74 2011

2568.4 2012

2579.32 2013

Government expenditure on education

...

2014

...

3688.73 3816.12 2015 2016 2017

...

...

2018

...

...

2019

...

The country is the fourth least densely populated in the entire continent, with a population density of 3.9 inhabitants per square kilometre. The poverty ratios were also high not that long ago. In 2008 almost half of the population was under the poverty line (44.5 percent). Only six years later and after a positive economic wave that Mauritania experienced thanks to the boom of commodities prices, it had dropped to 31 percent. The whole health system benefited from the economic bonanza. However, after the booming years the whole system started to collapse. _______________________________ BOX Physicians density: 0.18 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: total: 40% of population (2015 est.)

Drinking water source: total: 57.9% of population __________________________________________ In the last complete research done in the sector in 2018, Mauritania's health sector showed a serious deterioration from its situation two years before. In that same report, life expectancy is 64,5 years, a very low figure compared to global standards. Mauritania ranks in 201 position, out of 228 countries.

Mauritania ranks 7th in the world in maternal mortality. It accounts for 766 deaths per 100,000 live births. Infant mortality rate is also high, ranking 25th globally, with almost 50 deaths per 1000 births. __________________________________________

BOX Total Population: 4,4 million Urbanization: urban population: 55.3% of total population (2020) rate of urbanisation: 4.28% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Major urban areas - population: Population in Nouakchott (capital): 1.315 million (2020) ________________________________________ For a country of 4 million people some of them living in far reaching areas, there are a total of 1,000 health centres in a territory over a million square kilometres. Around 70 percent of them are located in rural areas, but the main hospitals and clinics rest at the capital. There are 21 hospitals and 37 clinics in the whole country. The ratio of physician per 1,000 inhabitants was 0,187 in 2018, according to data from the World Bank. In Mauritania there are three levels of sanitary assistance: hospitals, health centres and health posts. __________________________________________________________ BOX General census of all public and private health facilities surveyed (1016): Type # 1: Hospitals (58) - Public Hospitals 21 - - Private Clinics 37 - Type 2 Health Centres - (164) - Public health centres 115 - - Private medical offices 49 (inventory of medical practices offering general services - Type # 3:

Health posts (794) - Public health stations 732 - - Private treatment offices 62 Stratum: public x 868 / private x 148 Stratum: urban x 340 / rural x 676 Source. Ministry of Health of Mauritania ______________________________________________________

A LONG TERM PLAN In addition to plain numbers, there is a deficit of both, equipment and professionals . Most health establishments do not have all the necessary sanitary materials or even disposables.

The third edition of the SARA survey on public and private health facilities in Mauritania launched by the Ministry of Health, was released in 2018 with the general objective of assessing the availability and operational capacity of health services.

The final outcome report observed that the general service operational capacity index was 42% in 2018 compared to 55% in 2016. There is a significant disparity in operational capacity between hospitals (80%), centres for health (66%) and health posts (33%). This disparity is most accentuated for the means of diagnostic. More than 50% of health posts and centres have neither improved water sources nor sufficient energy source and the availability of emergency transport remains below 50 percent. In general, there is a deficit of both, equipment and professionals .

The World Health Organisation (WHO), along with other international organisations, has been working for decades in Mauritania to ameliorate the

health system starting with programs to improve the quality of water, sanitation and hygiene in schools. Around 90 percent of the country is desert.

For the past 20 years it has suffered continuous drought which are forcing a demographic transformation. Nomads are rapidly setting around rural areas that generally lack from basic services while in the main cities grow insalubrious populations around their outskirts. The big picture is still gloomy but hopeful.

In 2019 a new government took office. Headed by Mohamed Ould Al Ghazouani, it allocated USD 77 millions in his first national budget, approved in December 2019. Within this budget, allocations to health occupied the fifth most important place in the country´s national accounts and a 2 percent increase from the previous year.

Organigram Mauritania’s health sector is headed by the Ministry of Health, the central directorates and their subdivisions, the coordinating bodies of programmes and related services, and support structures under which a number of institutions subscribe such as the Institut National de Recherches en Santé Publique (INRSP), Centre National de Cardiologie, CNAM and the Centrale d’achats des médicaments. At the medium level, in the districts (moughataa), district health management teams are responsible for operationalising, implementing and monitoring national health policy.

The Mauritanian social security scheme covers for all salaried workers in case of disease, old age, accidents at work and family benefits. It is compulsory and managed by two main organisations: The National Social Security Fund (CNSS) and the National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM) which manages the national health schemes. Patients that cannot be treated in Mauritania, are sent overseas to partner hospitals. The lack of well equipped and managed hospitals, create a large economic burden for the government but could present a good investment opportunity. In general, middle-class in

Mauritania has international insurance companies covering their health services. They are normally treated either in the Canaries or in Morocco.

The current minister, Mohamed Nedhirou Hamed, is a physician with a long experience in health planning and administration. He has headed several positions in hospitals and public organisations adscribe to the Ministry of Health before becoming minister.

On-going projects under the Ministry of Health´s supervision include the construction and equipment of the National Heart Center, and the construction of hospitals in Nouadhiubou, Kiffa, Boghé, Seilibaby and Atar.

In terms of its operations, the health care system is pyramidal, with three levels of service: 1. The primary level (moughataa) includes two types of health structures: health posts and health centres and the most peripheral level of basic care units.

2. The intermediate level is made up of two types of hospitals: the moughataa hospitals, targeted to the most populated or enclaved moughataas, and the regional hospitals in all the wilayas excepting those of Nouakchott.

3. The tertiary level is essentially concentrated in Nouakchott and includes two types of reference hospitals: general hospitals, including the National Hospital Centre, the Cheikh Zayed Hospital (HCZ), the Hospital of Friendship (HA) and the Military Hospital; and specialised hospital centres, including the Hospital Centre for Specialties, the National Cardiology Centre (CNC), the National Oncology Centre (CNO), the Mother-Child Centre, the National Orthopaedics and Functional Rehabilitation Centre, and the and the specialities centre in the wilaya of Nouadhibou.

Other centers include the National Centre for Blood Transfusion, the National Institute for Research ︎Institute of the national laboratory for drug quality control (Laboratoire National de contrôle de la qualité des

médicaments, or LNCQM) and the primary distributor of medicines and medical supplies (Centrale d’Achat des Médicaments et Consommables, or CAMEC).

The sector is completed by five educational institutions: the National Schools of Public Health of Nouakchott, Kiffa, Nema, Rosso and Sélibaby which provide training for paramedical staff.

There are also a number of military health and occupational health structures that are quite developed, especially those facilities supported by major mining companies.

Alongside the public system, the private health care system is developing rapidly, particularly in Nouakchott and other big cities. Hospitals as Private clinics as Chiva, Kissi and Ibn Sina clinics are increasing the health care availability and quality although they remain largely unregulated.

International Aid In April 2020. the World Bank approved three grants for a total of $133 million from the International Development Association (IDA), to help improve access to basic infrastructure and services for poor and vulnerable communities in the southern regions of Trarza, Gorgol, Assaba, Guidimakha, Hodh el Gharbi and Hodh el Chargui at the borders with Senegal and Mali.

"Through this financial package, the World Bank is doubling its program in Mauritania with a specific focus on the most fragile areas of the country where climate change, poverty and growing insecurity is affecting the daily lives of people," said World bank Country Manager, Laurent Msellati. "These three projects focus on the government’s priority to fight against exclusion, support the decentralisation, and improve access to basic health services, drinking water, sanitation and electricity in secondary urban centres and rural areas, in particular in the Hodh regions supported by the Sahel Alliance. ”

The approved package will finance the following two projects and provide additional financing to an existing Health support project: The Decentralisation and Productive Intermediate Cities Support project amounting to $66 million to strengthen the capacities of local governments to plan and manage public services. The Water and Sanitation Sectoral Project amounting to a $44 million IDA grant, will increase access to improved water and sanitation services in selected rural areas and small towns located in the same regions.

An additional financing amounting to $23 million IDA grant will scale up the Mauritania Health System Support project and expand the utilisation and quality of reproductive, maternal, neonatal, and child health and nutrition services into the Hodh el Chargui region.

Epidemiological Profile The epidemiological profile of Mauritania is still characterised by infectious and parasitic diseases although cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, are becoming a serious public health problem.

The top ten reasons for health consultations in Mauritania are respiratory infections, malaria, simple diarrhoea, wounds, conjunctivitis, ear infections, bloody diarrhoea, and high blood pressure.

BOX Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever animal contact diseases: rabies respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis

Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 12.7% (2016) country comparison to the world: 132 Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 24.9% (2015) country comparison to the world: 19 _______________________________________________

The Plan National de Developpement Sanitaire, PNDS 2012–2020, is structured around five strategic axes aimed principally at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality; reducing infant and child mortality; controlling major communicable diseases; the fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including road accidents; and a cross- cutting axis aimed at strengthening the health system to support the four above-mentioned priorities and promote universal access to essential health services.

BOX Maternal mortality rate: 766 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 Infant mortality rate: total: 47.9 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 25 Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.5 years country comparison to the world: 201 Total fertility rate:

3.65 children born/woman (2020 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Contraceptive prevalence rate: 17.8% (2015) ____________________________ No drugs, no medical devices One of the main goals included in all the programs related to health in Mauritania include improving access to quality essential medical products.

Mauritania has developed a national drug policy and established a national list of essential medicines that is updated regularly. To regulate the sector, the government has undertaken legislative efforts. The Department of Pharmacies and Laboratories (DPL) acts as a standardisation and regulatory body, while the le Laboratoire National de Contrôle de la Qualité des Médicaments (LNCQM) was set up to ensure the quality of the products introduced in the country. Despite all efforts, essential drugs availability is critical and stockouts of key products such as antibiotics are fairly frequent in most health facilities. Supply security for drugs, consumables and medical devices is weak due to the limited capabilities of the Centrale d'Achats de Médicaments Essentiels et Consommables Médicaux (CAMEC), the main importer, and the vast expanse of Mauritania’s territory which make products expensive and sometimes even rare to find. The fight against falsified, counterfeit, or low-quality medicines is at the core of the new administration politics trying to ensure rigorous and effective control of medical commodities.

The tourism sector Mauritania has all the ingredients to become a world tourist destination with white sandy beaches blended with high sand dunes, impressive rocks and plateaus and unique desert and oasis experiences. But in Mauritania the tourism sector is virtually inexistent. Apart from some 4,000 tourists that arrive to the country every year mostly searching for desert adventures, Mauritania is not yet in the international tourist routes.

Long away from large-scale tourist flows, Mauritania is currently experiencing accelerated gestation at several levels leading to the emergence of an organized tourism sector In 2019, the number of foreign tourists visiting Mauritania increased by 166% to 4,000 foreign tourists that have started to trust again in the safety and security of this West African Country. Mauritania has asserted itself as a pole of political stability and security thanks to the maturity of its democratic experience, the rooting of its republican institutions and the noble and authentic values of its people, characterized by hospitality and tolerance . As a result, the demand for the "desert" product has had some success compared to other destinations. Tour Operators, most of them French, have started to include Mauritania in their catalogs.

Mauritania´s last terrorist attack was in 2010, but the instability of the region has affected the perception of tourists towards Mauritania, located in the conflictive Sahel Region and sharing a porous and large border with Mali. The national security strategy put in place by the State and recognized internationally together with the country´s tourism promotion strategy and the collaboration between operators, tourist guides and the rest of the sector ´s partners, is one of the keys to this growth. However, this increase is linked to the country's very low tourist numbers. During 2018 season only 1500 tourists entered the country. The results are insufficient for the country’s expectations.

In 2019, the Ministry of Tourism and Commerce started to set up a tourism investment strategy in order to attract international investors to the sector in Mauritania. The key elements of the strategy are the incentives to investments, the government active support and the availability of land donation.

Rallies and birds Mauritania’s tourism industry started to develop in the 80s with the rise of the original Paris-Dakar rally but was affected by the Spanish Sahara war until the beginning of the 90’s when the ceasefire was agreed and travellers could go back safely to the region.

The State solemnly proclaimed its will to develop tourism through a Declaration of General Tourism Policy in 1994. This was made concrete in 1996 by the adoption of Law 96.023 of 7/7 / 1996 organizing the activity by private operators in reception and accommodation infrastructures (hotels, inns, travel agencies, etc.). Despite the expansion of these infrastructures, almost all hotel establishments do not comply with any international classification, they are medium in size and are characterized by their location in the city.

The industry developed around its “desert experience” offer which started attracting intrepid travellers across the sands of the country. Tourism grew as the infrastructure of the country started to link Mauritania´s main cities. The road between Nouadhibou to Nouakchott was finished, the international airports opened, barter flights directly to the desert´s heart in Atar were arranged and the tourist accommodation started to grow. In 2018, the improvement of the security situation hoped to kickstart a revival of desert tourism in Mauritania’s Adrar region but the results were slower than expected.

A change in taste in favor of Saharan tourism and desert-related tourism activities has been observed in all of the countries that generate tourists. The peculiarity of this turnaround is that affects a clientele with high purchasing power, requiring tourism an emphasis on full service, originality and good experiences lived in a very different place.

This request corresponds perfectly to the characteristics of the Mauritanian product placed abroad Apart from the desert experience, Mauritania´s tourism has grown around its natural parks and reserves and the unique opportunity of spotting a myriad of migrant birds and species in their natural environment.

But the accommodation infrastructure is very poor and adventurous. The parks, located along the Atlantic Coast from Nouadhibou to Nouakchott, boast also long virgin sandy beaches but but serious tourism developments are in place. Attempts from the government to promote the tourism sector and diversify the economy have yet not bear fruit. Instead, small initiatives still run the show.

Main obstacles to develop As in the saying about the chicken or the egg, it seems that tourism investment in Mauritania is waiting for tourists, as well as tourists are waiting for the tourism offer to travel. The lack of infrastructure and the need of skilled workforce are the main obstacles for the sector´s development. People, internet and transport and accommodation infrastructure need serious improvement to unleash the sector´s future.

Many specialists consider travel accommodation to be a barometer of development within travel and tourism. The little presence of hotels in Mauritania, none of them of an international recognised brand except from the African brand Azalai is a reflection of the embryonic state of travel accommodation within this country. In fact, Mauritanian travel accommodation is dominated by other travel accommodation concepts, including apartments and a number of small auberge-type hotels which resemble home stays, and are popular amongst backpackers and desert travellers

The new government, in its new budget, allocated a 43 percent increase of funds to the commerce and tourism industry in 2020 totalling USD 4.1 million with the intention of improve tourism-related training and country branding.

A training center for various tourist specialties has been created as well as a National Tourist Office in Nouakchott. These efforts still fall short of expected growth and the formal offer of services is now growing faster than demand.

As an Islamic country, alcohol is prohibited in all the territory which is a major constrain for the tourism industry development. However, the new government is studying the

possibility of establishing authorisation for 4 and 5 stars hotels, in line with the policies that other islamic countries like Dubai have adopted.

The service sector Composed of the sub-sectors of Transport and Telecommunications, Commerce, Restaurants, Hotels, Public Administrations and other private services (banks, insurance and other service providers), the service sector contributes to the structure of GDP to the tune of 38.7%, thus denoting a progressive tertiarisation of the economy.

In 2018, the sector experienced real growth of 8.4% against 3.4% in 2017 due to the performance recorded in all of its components: 19.4% in the transport and telecommunications sub-sector, 6.6% for commerce, restaurants and hotels, 3% for banking and insurance services and 2.4% for public administrations.

_____________________________ MAURITANIA´S TOURISM GUIDE

MAURITANIA, A MAGICAL COUNTRY

Introduction A coast line that extends around 700 kilometres over the Atlantic Ocean, a desert that shines with oasis, dunes and imposing rock structures and a collection of cities that witnessed the old trans-saharian camel caravans era, Mauritania is not a massive tourist destination, but it is certainly a magical country.

It is not only about the virgin sandy beaches and wild reserves or the succession of magnificent desert, valleys and mountain landscapes, Mauritania is also an amalgam of cultures and traditions.

Why to visit Mauritania No crowds No noise No hurry

Some say Mauritania is a "silent country", but that is precisely why it has retained all its authenticity. Here you can “listen to the silence” in all its magnitude and feel the nature closely in all its splendour.

At just below a two hours fly from the Canary Islands, Spain, Mauritania is located between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, at the crossroads of the old caravans routes that crossed the Sahara. Indeed, the country is one of the closest tropical destinations to Europe distinguished by its warmth and hospitality intrinsically linked to its ethnic diversity.

Different cultures - from Moors origins, Sudanese Origins or Subsaharian black- coexist in Mauritania offering travellers the chance to feel and explore its ethnic diversity. In Mauritania, you can find all the faces of Africa in one country.

Although it lacks all necessary tourism infrastructure, the virtues of Mauritania for its wilderness, rich history and biodiversity have managed to still attract adventurers from all over the world willing to live the nature in its pure state.

The country has remained an island of security within its region, a safe country with open hands to tourists and tourism investments. The current government is actually putting together an investment plan to attract international funding to develop a sector where everything remains to be done.

What to see Only for adventurous tourists, due to the lack of modern accommodation, Mauritania offers, however, unique experiences. You can enjoy a walk along a kilometre beach without finding a soul on the way and you can marvel at the most starry sky you have ever seen. A destination of retirement and enjoyment that will undoubtedly open the mind to the most daring travellers.

Mauritania enjoys more than 700 kilometres of Atlantic coast, mostly protected areas and paradisiacal beaches. If you want to get away from the noise and merge with the surroundings, this is the right place. Despite not having an adequate infrastructure, Mauritania has some places where the “Jaimas” on the shore of the beach, will make you forget the comforts of any hotel.

Considered World Cultural Heritage according to UNESCO, and erected between the eleventh and twelfth centuries on the route of camel caravans that crossed the Sahara, the cities of Chinguetti, Ouadane, Oualata and Tichitt are a vivid testimony of the traditional nomadic culture and way of life of the population of the Western Sahara area.

But first and most important heritage of Mauritania is its desert that envelops the entire country with impressive rocky structures and sliding dunes. In Mauritania, you have to live the desert adventure, sleep in the middle of nowhere and wake up later in an Oasis.

For a decade, the Mauritanian authorities have organized the Festival of Ancient Cities annually to remove the historical cities of Mauritania from oblivion. This cultural event that begins each year at the feast of the Prophet's birth aims to revive the Arab and African heritage of Mauritania, but also to fight for preservation and sustainable development.

Traditions Mauritania is a country of traditions and despite the passage of time, there are aspects of everyday life that haven’t changed. The two most prominent are the practice of Henna and local clothing.

Mauritanian say that there are two Mauritanias, the google Mauritania, and the real Mauritania. From a foreign perspective there is no doubt that sentence is totally true. The second part is also true. You either love it or hate it. But most people love it once they are there. You have to be a bit adventurous, nevertheless, to challenge yourself all the way down to Africa if you were not made for that.

A bit chaotic but charming, Mauritania is anchored in its own timeframe where profound traditions compete with top end technologies almost at the same level. That is one of the thing that makes it exceptional along with the hospitality of its people. Â Clothing The traditional mode of dress in Mauritania is strongly influenced by the existing fashions, traditionally, in North Africa and Africa south of the Sahara.

For men, the boubou or derraa, traditional men's attire, is usually made of cotton (chigga or damask bazin, for the better-off).

They are blue, or sometimes white, and wear, in several places, magnificent golden embroidery, and large flaps falling on the calves and open on both sides.

The seroual, baggy pants worn under the boubou, is exclusively reserved for men. Very pleasant in summer, because its large folds stir the air. With only one pocket, it is usually blue, but there are white or black ones.

The haouli, a rectangular piece of fabric that serves as a turban. Artistically rolled on the head, this turban is essential in the desert, to protect you from the sun as well as from the sand winds.

The melehfa, on the other hand, is a rectangular veil of generally fine fabric, locally dyed in multicolored colors; in which the ladies are draped. Another kind of embroidered and beautifully dyed boubou is specific to women from Negro-African communities. It is completed by a pretty loincloth underneath and a scarf rolled over the head. Mauritanian women have succeeded in dyeing veils but also boubous, a real industry, especially in KaĂŠdi and Nouakchott. You just have to browse the different markets to be convinced.

For foreigners no dress code is compulsory but because of the islamic nature of the country is recommended for women to cover shoulders and legs.

The Henna Practice According to some studies, there are signs of Henna practice as early as the Bronze Age. Henna is normally applied for celebrations such as marriage or fertility or as a beauty complement. In the past, it was also applied in men after a victory. For some it is a appellation to attract luck or for blessings (Barakah).

There are many beauty saloons that can offer the service or you can call for a domestic treat. Depending on the difficulty of the pattern and the extension of it, the process can take many hours. Drying time is also long. It can last up to 3 hours minimum, depending on the skin.

The Tea Ceremony In Nouakchott there are no bars or shopping centers, only local markets and small shops that run along the streets. It is a time travel. Here, there is always time for mint tea, and even more for the long and delicate ceremony of preparing it.

Shopping There are several street markets in Mauritania where “everything� can be found. Small shops run also across the main streets of the city without any large shopping mall yet installed in the country. Do not miss the artisan market where you can buy beautifully finished jewellery as well as kitchen and house accessories like the typical Mauritanian chests.

TOP PLACES TO VISIT 1. Banque d'Arguin National Park Located along the Atlantic coast, this park is an idyllic and protected area. A a paradise among birdwatchers it is made up of sand dunes, swampy and shallow coastal areas and small islands. The austerity of the desert and the biological richness of the marine area create an exceptionally contrasted terrestrial and marine landscape. A remarkable diversity of migratory birds spends the winter there. There are also several species of sea turtles, as well as dolphins.

2. Diawling National Park Diawling National Park has the peculiarity that although it is located in the Atlantic cornice of Mauritania, it also borders the green valleys of the Senegal River. It is therefore, a unique location with an incredible diversity of landscapes, ecosystems and species of plants and animals. Diawling is one of the world’s most attractive destinations for ornithology.

3- Chinguetti The historical city of Chinguetti is located in the very heart of the Mauritanian desert.

Founded in the year 660 of the Hégira (13th century AD) as a pilgrim's passage to Mecca, Chinguetti became the "seventh holy city" of Islam and played an important role for religious and scholars of the Koran. In Chinguetti you will find invaluable manuscripts from past eras perfectly preserved as they were in their fullness. Its famous mosque, built in the old town, attests to a glorious past history. The importance of the city was such that it gave its ancient name to the country: "Biléd Chinguetti" (The country of Chinguetti).

4. Ouadane The ancient city of Ouadane was also a passage of pilgrims to Mecca and desert caravans that traded their products between Saharan Africa and the Maghreb.

There they say that the date palm was introduced for the first time, one of the most important crops in the area. Built on the Dhar plateau, next to a cliff, this city served as an exchange point between the products of Saharan Africa and those of the Maghreb.

5. Oualata Nicknamed the "shore of eternity" in the ancient city of Oulatta, reputed scholars and Ulemas were formed who later founded the city of Timbuktu in Mali on the road to Mecca.

Hence, the city is also known as “the older sister of Timbuktu.” The caravans also traveled through the streets in the 15th century and their houses, made of red colored clay and decorated geometric patterns, still retain their splendor.

6. Tichitt The great sage Abdel Moumin founded the ancient city of Tichitt in the 6th century (XII AD). Known for its typical architecture of the Tagant area, Tichitt was one of the most beautiful medieval capitals of Northwest Africa. The great value of its libraries of ancient manuscripts, the result of its location on the route of merchants and pilgrims, Tichitt, adds to this city one more reason to visit it.

7. Nouakchott Almost on the verge of improvisation, when Mauritania signed its independence with France in 1960, the capital of the country was created from an administrative position.

Without the French colonial infrastructure, which had been lodged in Senegal, Nouakchott started almost from scratch from a small village of 500 inhabitants. Houses and ministries, roads and airports had to be built from scratch. Since then, the capital keeps expanding and today houses the majority of the Mauritanian population.

The must-sees are the traditional fishing port, the great Saudi mosque (although only Muslims can enter); the National Museum of Mauritania, the fishing market, the marché capital, the handicraft market and Nouakchott beach.

8. Nouakchott Beach Nouakchott beach is located on the highway to Nouadhibou. It is a long and wild sandy beach practically virgin where you can literally swim with the fish that paint in silver the top of the sea waves. You can also spot a myriad of migrant birds along the beach line and jump onto a camel for a ride if you wish to do so. The beach has a couple of restaurants along its way but the most populars are Nicolá and Sultane.

Nouakchott is a pleasant city of almost one million people with decent traffic, good hotels and especially good food and nice restaurants, although as a Muslim country, do not forget that alcohol is prohibited. As one of the first fishing benches in the world, the “Marché de Pesche” in Nouakchott offer the best fresh fish ready to taste. And the difference is immense.

9. Nouadhibou Considered as the economic capital of Mauritania, Nouadhibou grew from a fishing village to the fishing industry center of the country. Today Nouadhibou is a town of around 100,000 inhabitants. It a 65-kilometer peninsula that extends from Cap Blanc, or Cabo Blanco near the Moroccan city of La Güera, part of Western Sahara. It is also the port of arrival of the mineral train, the largest of the world, and is surrounded by impressive beaches and desert scenarios. Very influenced by Spanish fishermen, mainly coming from neighbouring Canary Islands, Spanish is widely spoken in Nouadhibou that also boasts some well-known Spanish restaurants as Galloufa.

10. The Richat Structure The Richat Structure in Mauritania is a gigantic circular swirl of about 50 kilometers of diameter that forms a bull's-eye in the middle of the desert. It can only be seen from the air.

11. Terjit Oasis and the Ksar Medieval Ruins Terjit is an oasis located 45km by road south of Atar nestling in a gorge on the western edge of the Adrar Plateau with the palm grove stretching a few hundred metres alongside a stream which emerges from a spring where you can stay in tents in the palm grove.

Historically, it was used for religious ceremonies and weddings.

WHEN TO GO Although you can travel to Mauritania all year round, because of its hot and dry weather, the best time goes from November to February, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 25 ° C, the days are warm and sunny and the evenings cooler thanks to the southerly winds. In the desert, there are very large variations in temperature between day and night. In winter, nighttime temperatures can drop to zero. From April to September it is really hot; the

mercury is particularly high in May and June, it even crosses the 40 ° C mark. During the rainy season from July to October you can see the dunes taking on a light green veil overnight and the wadis turning into a torrent! The rest of the year Mauritania experiences an arid but cooler climate. On the "Nouakchott and Nouadhibou" coast, the ocean and the trade winds soften temperatures. In the south towards the Senegal River region the climate is tropical dry.

WHERE TO STAY (ANTONIO) Tfeila Hotel Nouakchott Hotel Azalai Hotel La Medina Hotel (Nouakchott) La Medina Hotel (Nouadhibou) Hotel Monotel

WHERE TO EAT Timeless Cafe - Nouakchott An ideal place for a quick but delicious lunch in the capital city.

Tafarit Restaurant - Nouakchott One of the most renown restaurants in Nouakchott with a large menu and an excellent cook. Nice ambient especially at lunch.

Palacio Restaurant - Nouakchott Recently inaugurated, this restaurant is the first of its kind in Mauritania reaching to the upscale market in a luxury ambient.

Maquis Restaurant - Nouakchott Small but elegant and tasty, Maquis is a must to visit while you are in Nouakchott.

Jeloua - Nouakchott With a marked west african style this restaurant has a nice terrace and bar -although no alcohol is allowed -. Fish is the top selling meal.

La Palmera - Nouakchott A European style coffee and bakery place very famous among the expatriates.

The Indian Gate - Nouakchott

A small place run by Indians and ideal to eat real Indian food. Home Delivery is available.

Galloufa Restaurant - Nouadhibou A Spanish style restaurant in the hearth of Nouadhibou where locals and foreigners enjoy delicious lunch menus.

LOCAL CUISINE As the country where North and West Africa meet, Mauritanian cuisine has a mix of their tastes adding the French, as the colony it was. The diet is composed mainly by rice or couscous, camel meat and dates. Although in Mauritania the population barely eats fish, the national dish is made out of it and couscous: The tiéboudienne Below you will find the recipe.

In general terms, fish is fresh and delicious in Mauritania and food is tasty. Restaurants keep opening in the city providing a wider offer. Meals are normally served seasoned with the local spicy (paprika) for the most daring palates but can be softened with bissap, local drink made from hibiscus.

Recipe Tiéboudienne with vegetables Tiéboudienne, or fish and rice for the Wolof, is the typical plate along the coast of Mauritania down to Senegal.

INGREDIENTS: Ingredients: · 1 kg firm white fish fillets, cleaned, deboned and cut into pieces (white grouper is the favoured fish in Mauritania for this dish) · Fish Seasoning (1 tbs flour, ¼ tsp ground black pepper, ½ tsp salt, 4 sprigs parsley chopped fine, 1 pinch cayenne Pepper powder – combine & grind with mortar & pestle until a fine seasoning flour is created) · 2 cloves garlic, peeled & crushed (to be cooked with onion) · 4 cloves garlic, peeled (to soak with vegetables) · 1 whole eggplant · 2 carrot, peeled · 1 sweet Potato (yam) , peeled · 2 large potato, peeled · 3 tbs tomato paste · 4 large tomatoes, crushed · 3 Vegetable Bouillon stock cubes · Salt & pepper · 4 cups basmati rice · 1 medium onion, chopped · 1 hot pepper, whole · 1 tbs butter · 4 tbs Vegetable Oil (or more as needed – peanut oil would be traditional) · 1 tbs peanuts

· fresh coriander leaves for garnish INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Wash all vegetables and cut them. In a large cooking pot, sauté onion and garlic until soft.

2. Heat the oil and fry the seasoned fish—reserving one—turning it so that both sides brown. Set the fried fish aside.

3. Combine the tomato paste and the fresh tomatoes. Add this mixture along with the one remaining piece of fish to the onions and oil in the pot. Cook fish slightly on both sides, then fill pot ¾ full with water. Add vegetables and hot pepper; stir well.

4. Cover pot and allow vegetables to stew until soft (about 30-40 minutes). For the last 5 -10 minutes put fried fish back in pot. Then remove and set aside all solids until only water remains.

5. Add rice and seasoning.

6. When done, put rice in large bowl and arrange the fish and vegetables in the center.

NIGHTLIFE Since there is no alcohol in Mauritania, there is no nightlife as Westerners understand it.

SPORTSLIFE Due to its long coastline and wings, Mauritania is a perfect spot for kite surf and surf and most aquatic sports. Any other outdoors sports are limited due to the heat but all main cities boast sports clubs and gymnasiums.