Mauritania - Market OpportunitiesMauritania-Market-Opportunities
The best market opportunities for investors are in the energy (oil & gas exploration and production, hydrocarbon refinery and storage, and power generation generation and transmission), fisheries, and tourism sectors. As BP works towards first production of the Tortue natural gas field in 2022, hydrocarbons are poised to replace iron ore as the primary driver of the Mauritanian economy. Various supermajor oil & gas companies continue to explore offshore, and 19 blocs blocks remain available to lease. There are also opportunities to develop fields where oil has already been discovered and to provide supplies and logistical support to companies working in the sector. Mining, primarily of iron ore, is one of the largest industries in Mauritania. The production of iron ore makes up 46% of total exports. Other minerals currently being mined in Mauritania include gold, copper, and a variety of rare earth minerals.
Mauritania’s Exclusive Economic Zone contains some of the world’s richest fishing grounds. The annual catch is estimated at 750,000 tons. A large portion of the catch is exported directly to Europe and Japan without being offloaded or processed in Mauritania, and an increasingly large portion of the catch is being turned into fishmeal by Turkish and Chinese companies for export to China. The government’s 2019 fisheries strategy aims to increase domestic fish processing by promoting joint ventures between Mauritanian companies and foreign investors. Spain is the primary destination for Mauritanian fish exports, some of which are processed and re-exported to the United States. This sector offers a opportunities for U.S. food processors to provide local value-added processing before fish products are shipped.
Despite past droughts and poor rainfall, agricultural and herding continue to play an important role in the national economy. Food deficits, however, continue to be huge. In 2018, the country imported about 300,000 tons of cereals in addition to what it receives in food aid. To remedy this situation, the Government is strongly encouraging private investments to develop agriculture in the Senegal River Valley.
Infrastructure, particularly road construction, buildings, and telecommunications are developing. The ongoing construction of the Rosso-Boghé road is funded by the EU, African Development Bank, Nigeria Trust Fund, OPEC, and the Mauritanian government.
As international companies continue to arrive, more opportunites are being created in the services sectors, and particularly in hospitality, which is significantly underdeveloped in Mauritania.
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.
Mauritania’s Exclusive Economic Zone contains some of the world’s richest fishing grounds. The annual catch is estimated at 750,000 tons. A large portion of the catch is exported directly to Europe and Japan without being offloaded or processed in Mauritania, and an increasingly large portion of the catch is being turned into fishmeal by Turkish and Chinese companies for export to China. The government’s 2019 fisheries strategy aims to increase domestic fish processing by promoting joint ventures between Mauritanian companies and foreign investors. Spain is the primary destination for Mauritanian fish exports, some of which are processed and re-exported to the United States. This sector offers a opportunities for U.S. food processors to provide local value-added processing before fish products are shipped.
Despite past droughts and poor rainfall, agricultural and herding continue to play an important role in the national economy. Food deficits, however, continue to be huge. In 2018, the country imported about 300,000 tons of cereals in addition to what it receives in food aid. To remedy this situation, the Government is strongly encouraging private investments to develop agriculture in the Senegal River Valley.
Infrastructure, particularly road construction, buildings, and telecommunications are developing. The ongoing construction of the Rosso-Boghé road is funded by the EU, African Development Bank, Nigeria Trust Fund, OPEC, and the Mauritanian government.
As international companies continue to arrive, more opportunites are being created in the services sectors, and particularly in hospitality, which is significantly underdeveloped in Mauritania.
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.