• Mauritania gets $2B pledge from Arab lenders for 2025–2030 development plan.

• Funds focus on energy, water, transport, and digital sectors.

• Reforms and strong FDI back growth and diversification goals.

Mauritania secured a $2 billion funding pledge from the Arab Coordination Group (ACG) on Tuesday, June 17, to support its national development strategy. The commitment was made during a roundtable in Vienna.

The funds are intended to back the country’s development plan for 2025 through 2030. This plan targets priority sectors such as energy, water, transportation, and digital infrastructure with the goal of driving economic growth and promoting comprehensive, sustainable development.

Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, President of the OPEC Fund, said the ACG was strongly committed to playing an active role in implementing and ensuring the success of Mauritania’s ambitious development program. He added that the pledge mobilizes the group's collective capabilities to translate ambition into action and bring about positive change in the lives of Mauritania's people.

Mauritania has introduced a series of structural and institutional reforms aimed at improving its business environment and attracting both domestic and foreign investment. These reforms include a new Investment Code, the removal of registration fees, and revisions to the Commercial Code. The government has also simplified business creation procedures and launched the Mauritanian Investment Promotion Agency.

In recent years, the country has drawn considerable international investment, particularly in energy, mining, infrastructure, and green technologies. According to UNCTAD’s 2024 World Investment Report, Mauritania’s foreign direct investment (FDI) stock stood at $6.7 billion by the end of 2023, a figure equivalent to 63.6% of its GDP. The report noted that most investments are directed toward oil exploration and production, iron ore and gold mining, as well as fisheries and agriculture.

Mauritania’s development roadmap, known as the Strategy for Accelerated Growth and Shared Prosperity (SCAPP), covers the period 2016 through 2030. It seeks to foster sustainable, inclusive, and equitable economic growth, with core priorities including economic diversification, human capital development, and improved governance.