The Mauritanian economy continues to demonstrate resilience yet needs to diversify its sources of development finance and strengthen its financial system, the African Development Bank Group advised in its 2026 country report on the north African nation.
The annual report, titled "Mobilising Resources at Scale to Finance Mauritania's Development in a Fragmented World," was released at an official ceremony held in Nouakchott on 17 September. The ceremony was chaired by Moustapha Ould Sidi Mohamed, Economic Adviser to Mauritania's Minister of Economic Affairs and Development. The event brought together representatives of government institutions, the Central Bank of Mauritania, the private sector, technical and financial partners, academics and economic experts.
The African Development Bank Group's 2026 Country Report highlights the resilience of the Mauritanian economy, which grew by 4.0% in 2025, despite a slowdown driven mainly by a contraction in the extractive sector. The outlook remains favourable, with gross domestic product (GDP) projected to grow by 4.4% in 2026 and 4.7% in 2027.
The report underscores the need for Mauritania to diversify its development financing and strengthen its financial system. Discussions around these findings highlighted two priorities in particular: first, mobilising more domestic resources and, second, deepening the financial system, notably through the operationalisation of the Nouakchott Stock Exchange.
Global geopolitical tensions, particularly the war in the Middle East, which is increasing volatility in iron ore, energy and food prices, declining official development assistance, the growing effects of climate change, and the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel are structural headwinds for the Mauritanian economy.
"The issue of resource mobilisation is becoming more strategic than ever for Mauritania in an international context marked by profound shifts, including geopolitical tensions, the growing effects of climate change and rapid technological change," said Malinne Blomberg, Deputy Director General of the African Development Bank Group for North Africa and Country Manager for Mauritania, speaking by videoconference.
Presenting the report, Hamaciré Dicko, Country Economist for Mauritania, noted that the country's favourable growth outlook was due to the start of gas production, the dynamism of non-extractive sectors--including agriculture, fisheries, construction and public works, and services and higher public investment. It also stresses the need to strengthen the country's financial autonomy in order to sustainably support its development priorities.
To mobilise domestic resources more effectively, participants at the meeting underscored the importance of broadening the tax base, notably through the gradual formalisation of the informal sector, and accelerating the digitalisation of public administration.
They also highlighted the need to deepen Mauritania's financial system. Proposed measures include operationalising the Nouakchott Stock Exchange, strengthening the
Mauritania Guarantee Fund and continuing the regulatory and institutional reforms undertaken by the Central Bank of Mauritania.
According to the report, Mauritania's development financing needs are estimated at around US$8.6 billion per year, equivalent to 81.3% of 2024 GDP, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
The African Development Bank publishes country reports to inform public policy dialogue and support decisions that will enable countries mobilise domestic resources more effectively, diversify financing sources and channel more capital towards the priorities underpinning economic transformation.
To read the African Development Bank Group's 2026 Country Report for Mauritania, please click this link
