• Mauritania's artisanal fishing faces high fossil fuel costs, up to 40% of expenses.
• IRENA proposes solar solutions with 12-24% IRR, saving 96,200 tons CO2 annually.
• Financing remains a hurdle; new €12M fund helps, but more needed for transition.

Mauritania’s artisanal fishing sector, a cornerstone of the nation’s economy, is grappling with an energy dilemma that threatens its profitability and long-term sustainability. The sector’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels has become a significant economic concern, with energy costs eroding the margins of fishermen and processors alike.

Artisanal fishing, which accounts for 80% of the value-added and employment in Mauritania’s fisheries sector according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), is a vital economic engine. In 2023, the broader fisheries sector provided 66,000 direct and 300,000 indirect jobs, while generating nearly 20% of the country’s export revenues. However, the sector’s dependence on fossil fuels is a critical vulnerability. Energy costs can account for up to 40% of total expenses, undermining the competitiveness of artisanal fishermen and processing businesses.

A recent IRENA report, “Decentralised renewable energy for artisanal fisheries in Mauritania,” highlights the extent of this challenge. According to the report, 95% of large-scale operations (processing plants, warehouses, cold storage facilities) and 96% of small-scale actors (fishermen, fishmongers) identify energy as a major constraint. A single 15-horsepower outboard motor consumes 30 liters of gasoline per trip, representing 34% of the total cost of a fishing expedition. Further down the value chain, the lack of reliable cold storage solutions leads to significant post-capture losses.

To address these challenges, the IRENA report proposes a range of decentralized renewable energy solutions. These include grid-connected solar panels for processing plants, solar-powered cold rooms and ice makers for preservation, and battery-powered electric motors for fishing boats. The report underscores the financial viability of these options, with internal rates of return (IRR) ranging from 12% to 24% depending on the segment, and an average break-even point of eight years for solar installations in processing plants.

The environmental benefits of this transition are equally compelling, with the potential to avoid nearly 96,200 tons of CO₂ emissions annually, over 80% of which would come from the electrification of motors. However, the successful implementation of this transition hinges on a critical factor: financing.

Approximately 90% of fishmongers and 75% of fishermen struggle to access credit to invest in renewable energy technologies, due to a lack of suitable financing mechanisms and affordable interest rates. While a €12 million revolving fund supported by the German development bank KfW now offers loans at 6% over seven years, the demand for financing far exceeds the current capacity of the microfinance sector.

IRENA recommends a multi-pronged approach to overcome these hurdles, including fiscal incentives, equipment standardization, and, most importantly, the integration of renewable energy into a national strategy for productive uses. Without such a comprehensive strategy, this key sector of Mauritania’s economy and a vital source of food security risks being weighed down by the ever-increasing burden of fossil fuel costs.

This article was initially published in French by Abdoullah Diop

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum