On September 22, 2026, Mauritania's Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister, Yakob Ould Amin, oversaw the handover of a land plot for the establishment of the EduSahel Institute in Nouakchott. This marks a significant step towards activating the project, a joint regional initiative between Mauritania and Chad. The ceremony took place at the university campus in the capital city.
During the event, Minister Ould Amin emphasized that the land handover represents a crucial milestone in the practical implementation of the institute. He highlighted the shared political will between Mauritania and Chad to advance their education and training sectors, aiming for excellence in education and science in both countries and the broader Sahel region.
The minister noted that the project has received special attention and continuous follow-up from Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani and Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno. He mentioned that the institute is expected to play a pivotal role in developing education, training, and scientific research systems at the regional level.
The handover is not just an administrative step but reflects a firm political and institutional commitment to providing suitable conditions for the project's realization. The institute aims to evolve from a coordination and governance space into a regional scientific hub that innovates solutions to educational challenges in the region.
The Mauritanian government has reiterated its commitment to supporting the project in close cooperation with Chad, the diaspora, and development partners, including the World Bank Group and the Federal Republic of Germany. Project coordinator Abbas Yb Silla praised the financial and technical support from the World Bank Group and the pivotal role of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Trina Haq, World Bank Regional Director for Human Development in West Africa, stated that the land handover represents an ambitious step to address a pressing need in the Sahel's education sector, particularly with millions of children and youth out of school and educational institutions under pressure. Sandra Sebastien, Director for Cooperation with the Sahel region at the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, announced the project's readiness to launch.
The ceremony was attended by several officials, including the World Bank's Director of Strategies and Operations for West Africa and the institution's Resident Representative in Mauritania, alongside numerous staff members from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The project aims to contribute to improving education and training in the Sahel region.
Key points
- The EduSahel Institute is a joint project between Mauritania and Chad to enhance education and training in the Sahel region.
- The project has received support from the World Bank Group and the Federal Republic of Germany.
- The institute is expected to play a crucial role in developing education, training, and scientific research systems at the regional level.
