Mauritanie: Investing

FDI in Figures

Mauritania remains relatively on the margin of foreign investments flows. The FDI flows into Mauritania have been fluctuating during the recent years, including a significant dip in 2009 and in 2010, due to the global economic crisis and the country's own political instability.

The majority of the investments have been involved in the sectors of oil exploration and exploitation, mineral mining of iron ore and gold, telecommunications with the acquisition of mobile phone licenses, and the construction sector.

Political tensions persist in the country, yet they should diminish in 2012. China is more and more interested in Mauritania, and its tranditional trading partners, including its European partners (primarily France) seem likely to pursue their investment projects in the country (infrastructure and telecommunicatons).

Why You Should Choose to Invest in Mauritania

Strong Points

The main strong points of the country are:
- Its geographical location, at the crossroad between Maghreb and Black Africa;
- An oil market in full expansion;
- The establishment of  privatization policies and trade liberalization with the collaboration of the International Monetary Fund;
- FDI has become easier and there is an equal treatment between foreign and domestic investors.

Weak Points

The main weak points of the country are:
- Its political instability, as shown during its last coup d'etat which took place in August 2009;
- Security problems with the development of armed groups claiming being part of Al Qaeda;
- Inadequate infrastructures which hamper the economic development of the country;
- A very young population (more than 64% of the population is under 25 years old) and they do not have an adequate level of qualifications for management positions;
- An increase in desertification phenomena;
- A high level of poverty (40% of its population);
- Corruption, which affects all the sectors of the economy. 

Government Measures to Motivate or Restrict FDI

The government has set up a system of a single office in order to facilitate the administrative work of foreign investors. It deals with the submission of files in order to obtain permits, administrative procedures, establishment of businesses and issuing work permits for foreign workforce. The government has revised the Investment Code in order to make Mauritania more attractive. In particular, this code allows the free repatriation of foreign capitals and the salaries of foreign employees. The government has also established duty-free points or incentives to increase exports. Companies which benefit from this regime do not pay any tax or customs duty. Finally, the Mauritanian government has revised its laws on the Oil Code in order to facilitate foreign investment in this field.

Procedures Relative to Foreign Investment

Freedom of Establishment

Freedom of establishment is guaranteed by the Mauritanian law. Provatisations and market liberalisation have also allowed for the equality between company to be restored, as well as a fair access to the market and to credit.

Acquisition of Holdings

Foreign inverstors can obtain majority stake in a local company. The investment code does nto allow for restrictions based on the origin of the investment concerning the access to Mauritanian company capital.

Obligation to Declare

No obligation to declare.

Competent Organization For the Declaration

The Mauritanian Court of Accounts

Requests For Specific Authorizations

It is possible to invest in all sectors. However, in the domains of  mining, oil exploitation, telecoms, insurance companies, banking and telecommunication, specific authorisations delivered by the ministry to which the sector is attached are required. In the same way, in the fishing sector, a foreign investor cannot hold more than 49% of the society's shares.

Investment Opportunities

Investment Aid Agency

Invest in Mauritania (in French)
EXACO - Accounting

Tenders, Projects and Public Procurement

Tenders Info, Tenders in Mauritania
Africa Tenders, Tenders & Projects from Mauritania
DgMarket, Tenders Worldwide

Other Useful Resources

Mauritanian Development Webportal
Mauritanian government portal

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