The African Development Bank Group has completed the midterm review of its 2023-2028 Country Strategy for Mauritania, assessing progress achieved to date and identifying lessons to strengthen the Bank's development impact through 2028. The review confirms the continued relevance of the priorities set in 2023 and proposes enhanced measures for the 2026-2028 period.
The document highlights significant progress in a national context marked by political stability, a more robust macroeconomic framework, and improved public debt management. Mauritania's entry into the group of gas-producing countries in 2025 has also created new growth prospects.
The review underscores a substantial increase in the Bank Group's financial commitments in Mauritania. Between 2023 and 2025, net commitments rose from around $147 million to $655 million, supporting an active portfolio of 21 operations, including major projects in energy, agriculture, water and sanitation, and transport.
"This midterm review confirms that our engagement in Mauritania remains fully aligned with national priorities--particularly economic diversification, agricultural value-chain development, strengthened productive infrastructure, and improved governance across all dimensions," said Malinne Blomberg, Deputy Director General for North Africa and African Development Bank Country Manager for Mauritania. "The results achieved demonstrate the strength of our partnership with the Mauritanian authorities and the relevance of our support in fostering strong, sustainable, and job-creating growth."
At midterm, the Bank has financed 11 transformative investment projects totaling $557 million, slightly above initial projections. Cofinancing mobilised amounts to $626 million, highlighting the catalytic role played by the pan-African institution among technical and financial partners.
The review also notes several tangible results already underway: strengthened agricultural value chains, paving the way for more than 2,300 jobs in livestock and 4,500 jobs in crop production through ongoing projects; expansion of energy infrastructure and solar investments; and improvements in economic governance through reforms in public procurement, public investment management, and debt management.
For 2026-2028, the Bank will maintain its two priority intervention areas: developing agricultural value chains to accelerate diversification and create decent jobs; strengthening infrastructure and economic and financial governance to support productive sectors.
Efforts will also focus on the Water-Agriculture-Energy Nexus, private-sector development, and the systematic integration of cross-cutting priorities such as youth employment, gender, climate, and resilience.
"Mauritania has significant transformation potential. Through this review, we are reinforcing the foundations needed to scale up our support in the years ahead, while strengthening the key sectors that directly contribute to improving living conditions," added Malinne Blomberg.
