• Algeria and Mauritania’s business council seeks a preferential agreement to strengthen bilateral trade

• The council advocates for barter mechanisms and removal of market access barriers

• Trade volume between the two countries reached $215.8 million in 2024

The Algerian-Mauritanian Business Council has proposed the signing of a preferential trade agreement to deepen commercial ties between the two countries. The initiative, announced on May 25, 2025 by Algeria Press Service (APS), aims to facilitate bilateral commerce, support barter-based exchanges, and stimulate growth in border regions.

During its 9th session held in Nouakchott, the council outlined a set of recommendations. These include the identification of a targeted product list, the rapid creation of a joint technical committee, and the removal of barriers limiting market access for Mauritanian and Algerian goods. The council also urged the conclusion of a road transport agreement to simplify the movement of goods and boost trade volume.

The meeting brought together senior government officials and business representatives from both nations, including the Algerian Minister of Interior Trade. Discussions centered on strengthening economic cooperation, improving market integration, and exploring opportunities for expanded partnerships.

Trade relations between Algeria and Mauritania have grown stronger in recent years, supported by strategic investments and initiatives such as the launch of Algeria’s first commercial bank in Nouakchott, the establishment of a maritime trade route, and energy cooperation agreements.

According to data from the International Trade Centre, bilateral trade between Algeria and Mauritania totaled $215.8 million in 2024. The council’s push for a preferential trade framework reflects a broader strategy to capitalize on this momentum and institutionalize the gains through formal agreements and improved logistics.