A delegation from the African Development Bank Group, composed of senior advisers and advisers to the Executive Directors representing several regional and non-regional member countries, conducted an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania from 3 to 8 November 2025.
The high-level mission sought to strengthen cooperation between the Bank and Mauritanian authorities, assess the performance of the country portfolio, and identify new areas of engagement aligned with the country's development priorities.
During the visit, the advisers met with Abdallah Souleymane Cheick-Sidia, Minister of Economic Affairs and Development and Bank Governor, the Minister of Energy and Petroleum, the Governor of the Central Bank of Mauritania, and the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty. The delegation also held discussions with representatives of civil society, the private sector, and technical and financial partners.
Field visits enabled the delegation to assess the impact of Bank-supported projects on the ground, including the Rosso Bridge and the Mauritania Agricultural Transformation Support Project (PATAM) in the south of the country.
"This visit illustrates the importance the Bank attaches to its partnership with Mauritania. It provides an opportunity to assess results achieved on the ground, listen to beneficiaries, and identify new areas of support to accelerate inclusive and sustainable development," said Abdallah Souleymane Cheick-Sidia, Minister of Economic Affairs and Development and Governor of the Bank for Mauritania.
The mission forms part of the Bank's continuous efforts to deepen country dialogue, strengthen operational governance, and enhance development effectiveness through a participatory and results-oriented approach.
At the conclusion of the visit, François Defourny, spokesperson for the advisers to the Executive Directors of the Bank Group, commended "Mauritania's resilience and economic potential, as well as the significant progress achieved in implementing projects supported by the Bank."
"We have witnessed first-hand the tangible impact of the Bank's interventions on people's living conditions and the strengthening of national infrastructure. The strong partnership between Mauritania and the Bank stands as a model of effective cooperation in advancing sustainable development," he added.
The mission was accompanied by representatives of the Bank's North Africa Regional Office, led by Deputy Director General Malinne Blomberg, who oversees policy dialogue and coordinates the Bank's portfolio in Mauritania.
The Bank's active portfolio in Mauritania currently comprises 21 projects, with net commitments of nearly $655 million. These cover strategic sectors including energy, industry, agriculture, finance, transport, water and sanitation, governance, and social development.
