France and Mauritania
Political relations
France and Mauritania historically have strong relations.
French presence
Consular section of the Embassy of France in Mauritania, in Nouakchott
Honorary Consul in Nouadhibou
French community in Mauritania: 1,678 French nationals registered, including 566 dual nationals (2023)
Consulate of Mauritania in France: Paris
Mauritanian community in France: 18,400 Mauritanians with residence permits (2021)
Visits
The French President visited Mauritania on 30 June 2020 for the Nouakchott Summit, and before that on 2 July 2018.
The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, visited Nouakchott on 25 February 2020, 6 December 2018, 2 July 2018 and 12 June 2017.
The Joint Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Thierry Burkhard, visited Nouakchott on 10 March 2023.
Economic relations
Trade between France and Mauritania stood at €306 million in 2022, and France had a surplus of €143 million. French exports to Mauritania total €225 million, making France the country’s fourth-largest supplier. They have increased by 26% and are primarily made up of pharmaceuticals (13%), farming products (13%, almost entirely grain) and machines and equipment for general use (11%). French imports from Mauritania have risen 80% to €81 million due to the rise in value of our three major imports: iron ore, which makes up 71% of our imports (€57 million), has risen 142%; farm products, accounting for 15% (16 million) are up 120%; and fisheries products, which represent 6% (6.5 million) have increased by 24%.
The major French contracts in the country are held by TotalEnergies in its exploration activities and Meriadiam, via its stake in the company TCN, which won the PPP contract for the container and hydrocarbons terminal in Nouakchott. Some 40 French companies, including subsidiaries of major groups, are present in Mauritania. They are active in a variety of sectors, including energy, construction, logistics, banking and other services, employing almost 2,000 people directly and indirectly in the country. A Mauritania-France Business Forum, organized by Medef International and Bpifrance, was held in Nouakchott from 8 to 10 March 2023, with the participation of some 40 French companies. In September 2022, Total Eren committed to a green hydrogen project in Mauritania, alongside the British company Chariot. At European level, a new EU-Mauritania sustainable fisheries partnership agreement was ratified in June 2022.
Although the country is working to improve its business climate (reform of the Investment Code and Land Code, creation in 2020 of an investment protection agency, etc.), it is still not very conducive to foreign investment. The country is ranked 41st out of 54 on the Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG). French actors present in the country often report tax, customs and administrative irritants. Legal insecurity, unilateral breach of contract, limited human capital and the absence of confidentiality clauses are all issues faced by French companies.
Lastly, several major companies will have left Mauritania by the end of 2023. Société Générale, the only international bank present in the country, has decided to country and TotalEnergies has sold its distribution network to the Moroccan company Al Akwa.
Cultural, scientific and technical cooperation
France’s cooperation supports civil society initiatives (citizenship, gender equality, etc.) and assists Mauritania in the field of human rights and governance, as well as in its national higher education and research policy and teaching of French. In the year 2020-2021, 1,115 Mauritanians studied in France and the Théodore Monod French school in Nouakchott currently has 1,200 pupils at every stage of pre-school, primary and secondary education. Cultural cooperation is managed by the Institut Français in Mauritania, which also receives those interested in studying in France at the Campus France space, as well as the five Alliance Française branches in Nouakchott, Nouadhibou, Kiffa, Atar and Kaédi, which taught French to 2,350 Mauritanians in the year 2022-2023.
In addition, France supports the fight against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria through its contribution to the Global Fund and funding for technical expertise and research, via L’Initiative, worth more than €1.15 million since 2014. France is a key partner of the Banc d’Arguin natural park, one of the largest protected nature reserves in Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1989.
French development cooperation is coupled with extensive security and defence cooperation. It aims in particular to strengthen Mauritania’s expertise in fighting terrorism and trafficking and is also illustrated by the regional partnership between France and the G5 Sahel in the security and development fields.
Updated: 2 May 2023