Mauritanian Prime Minister Presents Updated Agenda Amid Crisis

Mauritanian Prime Minister Moctar Ould Djay recently presented an updated agenda to the National Assembly, highlighting the government's response to the ongoing crisis. The new priorities focus on protecting purchasing power, dynamizing the interior of the country and cities, and long-term planning. The Prime Minister's address comes nearly two years after his initial presentation of dated commitments to the Assembly.

In January 2025, Prime Minister Ould Djay presented a detailed report on the 2024 achievements and 2025 plans, outlining specific projects and timelines. The latest discourse, however, takes a more cautious approach, citing the impact of the crisis on the country's economy and people. The government now projects a significant increase in inflation, which rose by 7.3% between February and September 2026.

To mitigate the effects of the crisis, the government has introduced measures to protect purchasing power, including revising the mechanism for fixing hydrocarbon prices, maintaining price ceilings for essential goods, and increasing salaries and pensions. The government aims to support over 350,000 families with monetary transfers, up from 134,800 in 2025.

The Prime Minister's update also highlighted progress on several major projects. These include the completion of the Hope Road, the rehabilitation of the Boghé-Kaédi and Keur Macène-Ndiago roads, and the construction of the Friendship Bridge. Additionally, the government claims to have tripled the production of the Aftout Charghi and resolved the water turbidity issue in Nouakchott.

The government has also made significant investments in infrastructure, including the construction of nearly 784 km of new roads and 997 km of reconstructed roads. The number of social security beneficiaries has increased from 496,000 in 2019 to over 1.4 million. The government has also launched several initiatives, such as the creation of an authority to combat corruption and the introduction of pilot internships in secondary schools.

Despite the progress, some commitments from the 2025 presentation are still pending or have been postponed. These include the Néma-N'Beiket Lahouach road, the deep-water port of Nouadhibou, and the regulation of leadership positions in the administration. The Prime Minister's discourse also mentioned the need for a national dialogue to achieve a broad consensus on key issues.

The government's updated agenda and progress report have raised questions about the status of certain projects, such as the Choum-Akjoujt-Nouakchott railway and the Nouadhibou tramway, which were previously announced. The Prime Minister's presentation emphasized the government's commitment to addressing the crisis and implementing long-term plans, with a focus on sustainable development and economic growth.

Key points

• The Mauritanian government has revised its priorities in response to the ongoing crisis, focusing on protecting purchasing power and promoting economic development.