Includes information on acceptable business etiquette, dress, business cards, gifts, etc.
Last Published: 7/16/2019

Business Customs

The most important characteristic of Mauritanian business practices is courtesy. A handshake is customary upon initiating and closing a business meeting. Occasionally, one may encounter a conservative who will not shake hands with a person of the opposite sex, so it is preferable to wait for a cue from him or her. A polite Mauritanian will ask you several times, possibly in different ways, how you are. Business encounters normally begin with a significant period of small talk before actual business begins.
 
Rank and protocol are important to Mauritanians, and they often (mistakenly or not) believe that they need to work directly with a CEO to make business happen. Business discussions in hotel conference rooms are appreciated. Mauritanians in general are very hospitable; they often offer a dinner of mechoui (grilled lamb) to their business partners and visitors, and would expect to be treated similarly when they are in the United States. Meals are never shared on a “Dutch treat” basis. Mauritania is a Muslim country and the consumption of alcohol and pork is forbidden for Mauritanians. Giving and receiving gifts is a common Mauritanian tradition. It is an honor for Mauritanians to give a gift to their guests as a souvenir of the country. Business cards are appreciated by many Mauritanians who have traveled abroad or deal with foreign companies or institutions. The work week is Monday – Friday, although most businesses close at noon on Friday.

Travel Advisory

Mauritania is a level 3 travel advisory country.  Violent crimes, such as mugging, armed robbery, and assault, are common, and local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious crimes.  Mauritania is a very austere country. Travellers must understand that logistical support is very limited outside of the capital. Be particularly vigilant when traveling by road outside of populated areas. The U.S. Embassy encourages visitors travelling outside of urban areas to do so in a convoy of at least two off-road-capable vehicles accompanied by an experienced driver/guide. Nighttime driving outside of urban areas should be avoided. Travel at night between cities in Mauritania is prohibited for U.S. Embassy staff and all driving outside of the capital of Nouakchott requires a minimum two vehicle convoy. Landmines remain a danger along the border with the Western Sahara and travelers should cross only at designated border posts.

Visa Requirements

Visas are required for all U.S. citizens seeking to travel to Mauritania. Visas can be acquired at the airport upon landing in Nouakchott or via the Mauritanian Embassy in Washington, DC.  Applications can be sent to the Mauritanian Embassy in Washington, DC:
2129 Leroy Place, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 232-5700

U.S. companies that require travel of Mauritanian businesspersons to the United States are advised that visa-related security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following link:  State Department Visa Website.

Currency

The Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU) is the official currency of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. The country revalued the currency in 2018 by dropping one zero from the old Ouguiya (MRO), so 10 MRO = 1 MRU. Many vendors still quote prices in MRO, so businesspeople should confirm that any business is being conducted in MRU. There are a handful of ATMs in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou accepting international bank cards, but travelers should take euros or U.S. dollars as back-up. Credit cards are accepted only at top-end hotels and larger businesses and they are not accepted at ATMs.

Telecommunications/Electronics

The internet is Mauritania is primarly accessed over DSL and cellular 3G.  The Government is currently reinforcing the internet backbone in Nouakchott by laying fiberoptic cabling, although it is unclear how much impact that will have on speed over reliability. The government hopes to roll out a 4G network over the next two years.
Most U.S. GSM carriers offer roaming in Mauritania, and you can easily buy a local SIM card.  Most hotels have wifi, although coverage can be spotty and bandwidth limited given the DSL connection. A relatively reliable way to have wifi is to buy a 3G modem (i.e., “hotspot”) with a local SIM card for your devices to connect to.
In Mauritania, the electricity is 220V and 50Hz. The electrical plug is Type C, which is also known as the standard “Euro” plug. The sockets will also accept Type E and Type F plugs.

Transportation

Within a locale, the easiest way to get around town is via vehicle. Public taxis can be dangerous, but the option of renting a private taxi is available rather than sharing with others.  It is possible to rent a vehicle in Mauritania, with most of the car rental agencies located at the airport or in the large cities of Nouakchott, Nouadhibou, and Atar. Many of the international companies are present including Avis, Europcar, and Budget, but there are also several local options. Travelers should be aware that outside of the main cities, many roads in the country are unpaved and are only passable with a four-wheel drive vehicle. Visitors who arrive during the rainy season, which runs from June to October, should be advised that the conditions can be dangerous and many roads may be extremely rough.

Mauritania has three international airports, although Nouakchott serves as the primary location for the majority of international destinations. The Nouadibou airport is linked only to Las Palmas, while the airport in Atar receives only seasonal tourist charter flights from Europe. The airport in Nema, also a potential tourist destination, is not currently open to international flights. The following airlines serve Mauritania: Mauritania Airlines, Air France, Royal Air Maroc, Tunis Air, Air Senegal, Binter Canarias, Air Algérie, and Turkish Airlines.

Language

Arabic is the official language of Mauritania, although international business beyond the Arab world is often conducted in French. Product literature should be in French, and, if possible, Arabic. The other national languages – Pulaar, Soninké, and Wolof – are widely spoken in the southern and central regions of the country. There is a limited-but-growing amount of the population that speaks English.

Health

There are six overcrowded government hospitals and about 24 private clinics in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. Some private clinics provide Western-standard health services, but overall the level of health services available is low by U.S. standards. Telephone numbers for the hospitals and private clinics are available at the U.S. Embassy. Medicines are sold over the counter in small drugstores in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. Some of the primary health concerns include malaria, diarrhea, hepatitis, meningitis, typhoid fever, yellow fever, intestinal parasites, schistosomiasis, rabies, tuberculosis, and AIDS. A yellow fever immunization is required, and record of immunization for cholera may also be required for entry. Recommended immunizations include hepatitis A and B, tetanus and diphtheria (Td), polio, and typhoid. Children should be up to date on all immunizations recommended for their age group..

Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays

Mauritania is on Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) and does not observe daylight savings. Businesses hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. The observed 2019 holidays in Mauritania are:

January 1 – New Year’s Day
May 1 – International Labor Day
May 25 – Africa Day
June 5* – Eid Al-Fitr / End of Ramadan
August 11* – Eid Al-Adha / Tabaski
August 31* – Premier Muharram / Muslim New Year
November 9* – Eid Al-Mawlud / Prophet’s Commemoration
November 28 – National Indpendence Day
* To be announced based on the local Muslim Lunar Calendar.  Some holidays may last two days, particularly Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha.

Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings

Personal effects, including professional equipment, that are carried by hand or in luggage may be temporarily imported into Mauritania free of duties and taxes under the Customs Convention on Temporary Importation of Professional Equipment. Goods imported for exhibitions may enter under an ATA carnet, which may be obtained from the U.S. Council of the International Chamber of Commerce.

Travel Related Web Resources

U.S. Travel Advisory Page for Mauritania
State Department Visa Website

 

Prepared by the International Trade Administration. With its network of more than 100 offices across the United States and in more than 75 markets, the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.