Mauritania

Although gas production began in 2025, its immediate impact on growth was partly offset by lower private investment following the wind‑down of large infrastructure works.

Agricultural output continued to expand at a moderate pace, supporting rural livelihoods.

Inflation declined sharply to 1.5 % in 2025, compared to 2.5 % in 2024, despite price pressures intensifying in the second half of the year. Poverty continued to fall, declining from 27.0 % in 2024 to 25.2 % in 2025, lifting an estimated 55,000 people out of poverty.

The start of gas exports supported export earnings and fiscal revenues, contributing to a narrower current account deficit and stronger foreign exchange reserves. Fiscal performance improved markedly, with the deficit narrowing to 0.3 % of GDP in 2025, supported by higher extractive revenues, carbon tax receipts, and ongoing tax administration reforms. Public debt continued to decline, and Mauritania remains at moderate risk of debt distress.

In 2026, the conflict in the Middle East is expected to weigh on growth, mainly through higher food and energy import prices, partly offset by elevated gold and hydrocarbon prices. Growth is projected to rebound to 4.4 %, supported by gas production ramping up toward full capacity, favorable commodity prices, and higher public investment. Inflation is projected to rise to 4.8 %, reflecting the pass‑through of higher global food and oil prices to domestic transport, electricity generation, and food markets.

Poverty reduction is expected to continue at a gradual pace, with the poverty rate projected to decline from 25.4 % in 2026 to 24.7 % in 2028.

The Development of Energy Resources and Mining Sector Support Project (DREAM Phase 1) is a $82.5 million IDA-financed operation supporting transition toward a low-carbon, resource-driven growth model. Approved in 2025 and running through 2030, the project aims to enable large-scale investments in green hydrogen and mineral resources while strengthening the reliability and renewable energy integration of the national power system. Anchored in Mauritania’s participation in the M300 initiative, the project combines institutional reforms, capacity building, and strategic infrastructure investments to address key sector constraints.

The Social Safety Net System Project II supports the Government’s social protection strategy aimed at protecting poor and vulnerable households and strengthening the efficiency, transparency, and inclusiveness of social programs. One of its core instruments, the Social Registry (RS), plays a central role in identifying potential beneficiaries and ensuring effective targeting of vulnerable populations. The National Social Registry has achieved nationwide coverage, encompassing comprehensive data on 353,272. households. The Tekavoul social transfer program covers 133,510 extremely poor households, with 56,581 financed by the project and 76,929 by the government budget. Additionally, the government shock responsive programs plan covered 15,079 households during the 2025 lean season, including 10,494 households through Tekavoul and 4,585 households through Elmaouna.

The new Country Partnership Framework between the World Bank Group and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania discussed by the Board on November 25, 2025, is centered on Economic Diversification for Growth and Employment (EDGE). It prioritizes four interrelated outcomes: more and better jobs, strengthened institutions and improved governance, connected communities, and resilient populations; jointly operationalized across the WBG. It underscores private-sector–driven job creation, stronger governance, expanded digital and physical infrastructure, and climate-smart systems. The strategy aims to shift the country away from extractives dependence toward inclusive and resilient growth by investing in skills development, supporting SMEs, improving access to services, and reducing fragility risks.

Mauritania Country Partnership Framework (CPF) FY26-FY30

The commitments of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) totaled $120 million as of February 28, 2026. IFC's portfolio currently focuses on mining, energy, agribusiness, and access to finance for SMEs. In addition, in the financial sector, IFC provided up to $30 million to support the Banque mauritanienne de l’Investissement (BMI) in their Islamic finance lending to MSMEs and a $10 million trade facility to Banque Populaire de Mauritanie (BPM) to help scale up their lending to businesses to finance imports of oil products, sugar, wheat, cement, construction equipment, vehicles, and consumer goods.

MIGA’s portfolio in Mauritania stands at $300 million as of end-February 2026, consisting of one gold mining sector project. During the CPF period, MIGA will focus on supporting the transition to a cleaner energy mix by offering political risk insurance in renewable energy and gas-to-power. It will explore additional opportunities in the iron ore mining, hospitality, and transport sectors.