Summary:

On 15 July 2025, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani received Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, to discuss migration, trade, regional security, and economic cooperation. 

As Mauritania continues to face mounting pressures from irregular migration, with over 25,000 departures to Spain’s Canary Islands recorded in 2023, Sánchez stressed the need for safe and legal migration channels. He reaffirmed Spain’s cooperation with West African nations to curb dangerous sea crossings and expand lawful alternatives.  

The scale of the migration challenge was illustrated just a day after Sánchez’s visit, when the Mauritanian coastguard intercepted a boat carrying 171 Guinean migrants off Nouadhibou. Many of the passengers, including women and children, were dehydrated and required medical care after spending two weeks at sea. 

Beyond migration, the visit focused on deepening economic ties. Spain announced a €200 million financial package to support Mauritania’s green projects, energy transition, feasibility studies, and risk mitigation. Additionally, Spain plans to appoint its first economic and trade representative in Mauritania by September 2025. 

From his part, President Ghazouani highlighted Mauritania’s diverse investment opportunities across sectors including fisheries, agriculture, livestock, mining, infrastructure, gas, and services. 

The visit also took place amid heightened political sensitivities in Spain, following a recent incident in the southeastern town of Torre Pacheco, when an elderly man was attacked by North African teenagers. The event sparked anti-immigrant protests in the Murcia region, drawing attention to the broader domestic tensions surrounding migration. 

Outlook: 

The strengthened partnership between Spain and Mauritania reflects a broader strategy to address irregular migration through economic engagement and long-term cooperation.  

Spain’s financial commitments and the launch of business-oriented initiatives aim to deepen bilateral ties and support development in key sectors. For Mauritania, this initiative supports its efforts to accelerate infrastructure development and its energy transition, consistent with its regional development goals. 

This model of pairing migration management with investment-led development could inform broader EU engagement in Africa. However, persistent migration pressures, alongside domestic tensions in Europe and regional security challenges, especially the rise of far-right voices, highlight the urgent need for sustained, coordinated efforts built on mutual trust and long-term strategic planning. 

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