• Mauritania and the United States initiated talks in Nouakchott to strengthen cooperation in digital infrastructure, e-commerce and cybersecurity.

• The U.S. delegation highlighted Washington’s broader strategy to support African digital transformation and promote international technology standards.

• The meeting did not produce concrete projects yet but opened the way for joint initiatives such as training, technical assistance and critical-infrastructure development.

Minister of Digital Transformation and Administrative Reform Ahmed Saleem Ould Badh received a U.S. Embassy delegation on Thursday, 20 November 2025, in Nouakchott. Corina Sanders led the delegation in the presence of economic advisers Matthew Ryan and Faiza Hashem. This meeting marked another step forward in the two countries’ engagement on digitalisation, innovation and cybersecurity.

Officials discussed, in their words, “the search for ways to consolidate cooperation between the two countries in digital infrastructure and e-commerce and to strengthen national capacities, thereby creating an effective national system for digital security.” U.S. expertise in digital-platform development, data protection and e-commerce regulation provides a potential lever to accelerate Mauritania’s transition.

Washington views this cooperation as part of a broader effort to help African countries expand their digital skills and adopt technology standards aligned with international best practices. The United States has strengthened ties with several African nations, including Côte d’Ivoire, to support their digital-transformation strategies and expand U.S. influence on the continent.

Authorities have not yet announced concrete projects. Nevertheless, the exchanges open the door to future joint initiatives, including training programmes, technical assistance or the development of critical digital infrastructure.

This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum