Summary:

On 20 March 2025, the Minister of Mines and Industry of Mauritania, Thiam Tidjani, met with the Finnish Ambassador Marianna Saal to discuss advancing cooperation in mining and industry in the presence of senior executives from the Mauritanian private sector.  

The Ambassador emphasized Finland’s openness to supporting Mauritania with advanced expertise and technology to contribute to economic development. 

Meanwhile, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Sid’Ahmed Ould Abou, received the Representative of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Mauritania to discuss enhancing cooperation. 

Outlook: 

Mauritania is working to highlight its potential for producing and exporting mineral products, notably iron and gold, with a particular focus on the country’s relative stability compared to its Sahelian neighbors.  

While Mauritania faces various challenges and limitations in terms of infrastructure, stability and vast natural resources will likely remain a strong combination with which to court international investors in specific sectors, most notably extractives. 

While major hurdles remain, cooperation with Finland, Europe more broadly, and the IMF are important steps toward increasing Mauritania’s attractiveness to foreign investors and leveraging the country’s available resources. 

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