Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani recently visited the Inchiri region, where he delivered a significant economic message. The visit was not just a routine tour but a demonstration of his commitment to being close to citizens and local actors. During his speech in Akjoujt, the President highlighted the distinction between potential wealth and effectively created wealth. He emphasized that possessing natural resources does not automatically translate to economic and social wealth.
The President noted that resources such as minerals, land, water, and fisheries are merely a starting point. He stressed that it is the human element, equipped with knowledge, skills, and work, that transforms these resources into actual wealth. This perspective shift is crucial for Mauritania, as the country seeks to move beyond merely extracting resources to creating sustainable value and jobs. The President's message underscores the importance of human capacity in converting potential into tangible economic benefits.
The President's speech in Inchiri was not coincidental, given the region's significant mining sector and economic history. The area provides a prime example for discussing the difference between extracting resources and creating wealth. According to the President, the extraction of minerals marks the beginning of an economic cycle, not its conclusion. He emphasized the need for an ecosystem that includes competencies, engineering, services, technology, and investment to maximize value retention within the national economy.
A key aspect of the President's message was the role of youth as a "genuine vector" and wealth of the country. He highlighted the importance of learning, training, and work in preparing for the future. The President views youth not just as beneficiaries of development but as primary producers and creators of value. By emphasizing work as a value and a lever for production, he encourages a shift in mentality towards sustainable development.
The President's call to "work, work, work" is not just an exhortation to individual effort but a declaration of work as an economic and social value. This perspective integrates work, education, and training into a strategy for building human capital. Education is no longer just a social right but a component of a broader strategy for economic and social development. This vision aligns with previous messages from the President during visits to other regions.
The President's overall vision for development in Mauritania appears to integrate human, knowledge, investment, and economic activity into a unified national dynamic. He has consistently linked education, societal transformation, and sustainable development across various regions. The emphasis on private investment, job creation, and economic activities in inland cities further illustrates his development conception.
Ultimately, the "revolution" in the President's message represents a shift in how wealth is conceived, from mere resource abundance to the capacity to transform resources into value through human effort and intelligence. This revolution does not concern the discovery of new resources but a new understanding of how resources can be converted into sustainable wealth for Mauritania.
Key points
- The President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, stresses that wealth is not merely about possessing resources but about the ability to transform them into value through knowledge, work, and human capacity.
