Summary:

On 25 June 2025, Mauritania marked a major step in its international economic engagement by officially joining the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) during the institution’s 10th anniversary gathering in Beijing.  

Mauritania’s membership was formalized during a ceremony attended by a high-level Mauritanian delegation, led by Budget Minister Codioro Moussa Nguenor. As part of its institutional integration, Mauritania designated Economy and Finance Minister Sidi Ahmed Bouh as its Governor to the AIIB, with Fatimetou Horma appointed as Deputy Governor. 

As the first northwest African country to become a full AIIB member, Mauritania aims to expand access to infrastructure financing, especially for sectors like transport, energy, water, and telecommunications, through both public and private partnerships. 

This milestone follows Mauritania’s deepening collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), reaffirmed during a high-level workshop on 16 June 2025 in Nouakchott.  

The event reviewed the performance of AfDB’s active project portfolio in Mauritania and launched the 2025 Country Economic Report, “Maximizing Mauritania’s Capital for Development.”  

Attended by government, civil society, and technical partners, the session concluded with the adoption of a 2025–2027 Performance Improvement Plan aimed at accelerating project delivery and enhancing compliance and coordination. 

The 2025 Country Economic Report also highlighted Mauritania’s development potential and forecasting growth of 4.5% in 2025 and 5.0% in 2026. 

Outlook: 

Mauritania’s international financial engagements reflect a clear ambition to position itself as a key player in the global development landscape with an eye toward attracting new opportunities for foreign direct investment in addition to development aid. 

By aligning with both Asian and African financial institutions, Nouakchott is signaling a shift toward diversified, multilateral partnerships to support its infrastructure and economic transformation agenda.  

This approach not only broadens access to financial resources but also enhances Mauritania’s geopolitical and investment appeal amid intensifying competition for influence, resources, and foreign investment in the region, reinforcing its strategic vision to be a multi-faceted regional hub. 

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