The Mauritanian-American Business Forum was launched on October 5, 2026, in Nouakchott, Mauritania. The forum was attended by a high-level American delegation comprising businessmen, representatives of companies, and economic institutions. The event aims to identify promising investment opportunities in Mauritania and explore avenues for cooperation and sustainable economic partnerships between the private sectors of both countries.
The Mauritanian Minister of Economic Affairs and Development, Abdullah Ould Suleiman Ould Sheikh Sidia, inaugurated the forum. He welcomed the American investment delegation, considering their visit an important opportunity to closely examine the economic and developmental transformations taking place in Mauritania. The minister emphasized that the forum reflects the shared will of both countries to elevate their economic and trade relations.
Minister Ould Suleiman Ould Sheikh Sidia reviewed the structural reforms implemented by the Mauritanian government to improve the business climate and enhance legal security for investments. He highlighted various sectors offering promising investment opportunities, including mining, energy, food industries, fishing, and agriculture, as well as the digital economy and logistics. The minister also emphasized Mauritania's vision of transforming its resources and potential into local added value.
The President of the Mauritanian Employers' Union, Mohamed Zeine El Abidine Ould Sheikh Ahmed, noted that the American delegation represents the largest commercial mission to visit Mauritania. He praised the efforts of the Washington Insight group in organizing and coordinating the visit. Ould Sheikh Ahmed stated that Mauritania has become an attractive investment destination due to its political and institutional stability, as well as its strategic geographic location.
The Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Nouakchott, Corina R. Sanders, emphasized that expanding trade and economic relations between Mauritania and the US is a priority for the American Embassy. She noted that American companies bring not only capital but also advanced technology, expertise, and high standards of transparency and management. Sanders highlighted that enhanced cooperation would contribute to creating new job opportunities and achieving sustainable economic growth.
The Director-General of the Mauritanian Investment Promotion Agency, Tah Ahmed Moloud, stated that Mauritania represents an Atlantic gateway to Africa, given its proximity to Europe and connection to global shipping lines. He emphasized that institutional stability is a crucial foundation for investor confidence, particularly for long-term investments. Moloud outlined the agency's strategy to transform national resources into added value through project development and enhanced manufacturing.
The forum concluded with a speech by the President of the Washington Insight group, Ismail Sheikhoun, who described the event as marking a new chapter in Mauritanian-American trade and economic relations. He praised the participation of American companies from various states and emphasized that the mission's goal is to establish direct business meetings leading to the signing of memoranda of understanding and launching joint projects.
Key points
- The Mauritanian-American Business Forum aims to explore investment opportunities and build sustainable economic partnerships between the two countries.
- The forum was attended by a high-level American delegation and Mauritanian officials, including the Minister of Economic Affairs and Development.
- The event seeks to enhance trade and economic relations between Mauritania and the US, with a focus on sectors such as mining, energy, and agriculture.
