Mauritania

Spanning over one million square kilometers in West Africa, with two-thirds of its territory being desert, Mauritania is one of the world’s least densely populated countries, housing just 4.5 million people. Despite increasing urbanization and affluence, a significant portion of the population remains engaged in agriculture, livestock rearing, and fishing. More than 50% of Mauritania’s population lives in multidimensional poverty, with over 15% below the extreme poverty line. As one of Africa’s newest oil and gas producers, however, Mauritania can now boast a new crucial driver of growth. The country also enjoys relative political and macroeconomic stability and attracts foreign direct investment (FDI) in sectors such as agriculture, mining, electricity, telecommunications and infrastructure.

Nonetheless, the business climate remains challenging. Poor governance, high levels of corruption, burdensome trade barriers, and outdated labor regulations hinder long-term development prospects. Persistent ethnic tensions, chronically high unemployment, and an under-diversified economy susceptible to commodity price fluctuations and climate change further complicate the economic landscape.