On October 1, 2026, Mauritania's Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Minister, Mohamedou Ahmedou Amhimiyd, hosted a meeting with a delegation from the French Development Agency (AFD) led by Cécile Couprie, AFD's Regional Director for North Africa. The meeting, held at the Ministry's headquarters in Nouakchott, was also attended by French Ambassador to Mauritania, Emmanuel Besniera. The discussions focused on the portfolio of projects and programs financed by the AFD in Mauritania, particularly in the agricultural sector.
The talks aimed to review the progress of ongoing projects and explore ways to strengthen the partnership between the two parties, expanding their scope to align with the priorities of the Agriculture and Food Sovereignty sector. The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on future cooperation prospects and opportunities to develop projects supporting agricultural production, enhancing food security, and increasing the sector's resilience to climate change.
Minister Amhimiyd emphasized the importance of the existing cooperation between Mauritania and France, highlighting the renewed momentum in bilateral relations following the state visit of Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani to France in April 2026, at the invitation of his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron. The Minister stressed the need to continue joint efforts to accelerate the implementation of projects and programs financed under the cooperation with the AFD.
During the meeting, the Minister instructed his officials to hold a follow-up meeting with the AFD during the upcoming week, to be chaired by the Ministry's Secretary-General. The meeting will focus on reviewing the outcomes of the current discussions, monitoring related files, and working to expedite the implementation of joint programs and projects, while enhancing coordination between the two parties.
The French Development Agency delegation was composed of several officials and representatives, while the Mauritanian side was represented by the Ministry's Secretary-General, Ahmed Salem Ould Arab, and several sector officials and cadres. The meeting was seen as a crucial step in advancing cooperation between Mauritania and France in the agricultural sector.
The cooperation between Mauritania and the French Development Agency is expected to contribute to the country's efforts to enhance its agricultural sector, improve food security, and promote sustainable development. The AFD has been actively involved in supporting development projects in Mauritania, focusing on areas such as agriculture, water, and sanitation.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to strengthen the partnership between Mauritania and the French Development Agency, with a focus on accelerating the implementation of ongoing projects and exploring new opportunities for cooperation. The two parties are expected to work closely together to achieve tangible results in the agricultural sector, ultimately contributing to Mauritania's economic development and food security.
Key points
- Mauritania's Agriculture Minister, Mohamedou Ahmedou Amhimiyd, met with a French Development Agency delegation to discuss ongoing projects and future cooperation in the agricultural sector.
