Mauritania's Finance Minister, Kodio Ould Moussa Inknour, met with Jean-Christophe Bonneau, General Manager of the Nouakchott coastline development company, on November 5 to discuss the final preparations for the launch of a project to protect the country's capital city from coastal erosion and flooding. The project, estimated to cost around 60 million euros, aims to reinforce the coastal sand dunes, create pedestrian and cycling paths, and improve drainage systems.
The project is a partnership between the Mauritanian government and the French company Meridiam, which manages the Urban Resilience Fund. The company was established in September 2023 as a joint venture between the two parties, with equal contributions from each. The project aims to protect Nouakchott, which is located on low-lying land near the Atlantic Ocean, from the risks of coastal erosion and flooding.
The project includes several key components, such as reinforcing the coastal sand dunes, creating pedestrian and cycling paths that connect the city to the beach, and improving drainage systems along the coast. Additionally, a bypass road will be built in the south of the city, and the fish market will be renovated. The project is expected to provide significant benefits to the local population and help to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
The meeting between the Finance Minister and the General Manager of Meridiam was attended by Moukhtar Ould Ahmed Ali, who is in charge of a mission in the Ministry of Finance. The discussions focused on finalizing the technical and procedural arrangements necessary for the launch of the project and improving coordination between the parties involved in its implementation.
The project is part of a larger effort to develop Nouakchott, which is facing significant challenges related to coastal erosion and flooding. On the same day as the meeting, the President of Mauritania launched the second phase of the Nouakchott development program, which has a budget of 115 billion ouguiyas. The program aims to address the city's infrastructure needs and improve the living conditions of its inhabitants.
The project to protect the Nouakchott coastline is a significant investment in the city's future and is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy and environment. The project is also seen as a key step in the country's efforts to address the challenges of climate change and promote sustainable development.
While no official start date has been announced for the project, the meeting between the Finance Minister and the General Manager of Meridiam suggests that the preparations are almost complete. Once launched, the project is expected to be completed within a specific timeframe, although no details have been provided on the expected duration of the works.
Key points
- The project aims to protect Nouakchott from coastal erosion and flooding.
- The project is estimated to cost around 60 million euros.
- The project is a partnership between the Mauritanian government and Meridiam.
