Summary:

On 28 October 2025, Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani visited Nouakchott, Mauritania, the first stop on a larger-scale diplomatic mission across West Africa. During the visit, Tajani emphasized Italy’s desire to strengthen already strong bilateral ties and highlighted Mauritania’s strategic importance in the Sahel, describing Nouakchott as stable partner and reference point for regional engagement. 

He also underlined Mauritania’s role within Italy’s Mattei Plan, noting the country’s potential for trade, investment, and sustainable development projects, and Italy’s interest in supporting industrial and resource-based cooperation. 

The minister also announced the inauguration of Italy’s Embassy in Nouakchott, underscoring the country’s export and investment ambitions in Mauritania. 

This visit follows the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in June 2025 between Italy’s Undersecretary for Environment and Energy Security, Claudio Barbaro, and Mauritania’s Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, Messouda Baham Mohamed Laghdaf, aimed at fostering environmental protection, renewable energy, and sustainable development under the Mattei Plan framework. 

Outlook: 

With Italy’s Foreign Minister visiting, Mauritania is highlighted as a key partner in the Mattei Plan, reflecting its growing importance in Italy’s strategy for Africa as a point of investment and influence in both economic opportunities and security. With ongoing challenges related to migration as well as terrorist activities in Mauritania and its neighbors, Tajani’s visit comes at an important moment of realignment, particularly amongst Sahel states. 

Tajani’s visit underscores Mauritania’s stability and potential to host high-impact development projects funded by Europe. Participation in the Mattei framework could boost the country’s ability to attract international investment, expand trade, and create a platform for future infrastructure, energy, and sustainability projects, strengthening its economic influence and regional leadership in the Sahel. 

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