Economic and Political Overview

Mauritania: Economic and Political Overview

In this page: Economic Indicators | Foreign Trade in Figures | Sources of General Economic Information | Political Outline | COVID-19 Country Response

Economic Indicators

For the latest updates on the key economic responses from governments to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, please consult the IMF's policy tracking platform Policy Responses to COVID-19.

Mauritania's GDP growth is considerably exposed to fluctuations in global mineral commodity prices given the large share of extractive industries in the country's economy. After contracting by 1.8% in 2020 following the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the economy rebounded by an estimated 2.7% in 2021, underpinned by the resumption of public and private investment and structural reforms. The IMF expects growth to reach 5% this year and to accelerate to 8.6% in 2023, as exports and domestic demand continue to gradually improve. However, the slowdown in Chinese demand will probably hamper iron ore exports, as prices are expected to moderate.

The performance of the economy will depend on the continuation of current reforms in the sectors of agriculture, port infrastructure, business climate and on increased production in the extractive sector following the expansion of the country’s gold mines. The Covid-19 outbreak prompted large financing needs and the country received larger loans from the IMF than initially envisaged. IMF loans were complemented by international donor financing, which overall contained the budget deficit to 1.7% of GDP in 2021 despite the pandemic. As revenues from mining and fiscal receipts will continue to benefit from the economic recovery, the deficit is expected to narrow to 0.6% of GDP in 2022 (Coface). The debt-to-GDP ratio decreased to 55.4% in 2021 (from 59.2% one year earlier), and is forecast to increase slightly to 57.6% this year and the next (IMF), as the end of the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) will translate into higher debt servicing costs. Nevertheless, in 2021 Mauritania found an agreement with Saudi Arabia for the suspension of USD 8.2 million of debt payments, and Kuwait (restructuring of USD 82.7 million). Inflation accelerated by 0.4%in 2021, reaching 2.7%, and is expected to spike to 3.8% in 2022 and 4% the following year, as per the IMF forecasts.

Overall, the government will need to modernise the country and to support education and industrial diversification to limit its dependence on raw material prices fluctuations (iron, copper, gold, quartz, cattle, and fish). To this extent, authorities have elaborated an inclusive growth strategy for the period 2017-30, planning structural reforms and significant investment in infrastructure. The three pillars of this investment strategy are inclusive economic growth, human capital development and governance improvement. The country's unemployment rate was estimated at 11.3% in 2020 (World Bank, latest data available), with more than 16.6% of the population living below the extreme poverty line according to Oxfam.

Main Indicators	2019	2020	2021 (e)	2022 (e)	2023 (e)
GDP (billions USD)	7.89e	8.11	9.16	9.34	9.80
GDP (Constant Prices, Annual % Change)	5.8e	-1.8e	2.7	5.0	8.6
GDP per Capita (USD)	1,944e	1,956e	2,161	2,154	2,212
General Government Gross Debt (in % of GDP)	56.8	59.2e	55.4	57.6	57.6
Inflation Rate (%)	2.3	2.3	3.8	4.9	4.0
Current Account (billions USD)	-0.83	-0.61	-0.65	-0.83	-0.49
Current Account (in % of GDP)	-10.5	-7.6e	-7.1	-8.9	-5.0

Source: IMF – World Economic Outlook Database , October 2021

Note: (e) Estimated Data

Main Sectors of Industry

Vast desert bordered to the west by the 700km-long Atlantic coast, to the east by the desert border with Mali and to the south by the Senegal River, Mauritania has long-lived of its key resources of iron ore and fishery products, its main production sectors. The country also has large deposits of gold and copper and many oil-gas fields have been discovered in recent years. The primary sector represents 18.1% of the GDP and employs over 30.8% of the workforce (World Bank, latest data available). The country possesses iron mines and its maritime coasts have some of the world's largest fish reserves. While Mauritania produces millet, sorghum, dates and rice, domestic cereal production only meets about one-third of the national food needs, forcing reliance on imports, especially for sorghum, millet and wheat. Farming, practised by Mauritanian nomads, is also an important area of activity.

The country has mineral, oil and gas resources, which is an expanding market. Regarding the production of liquefied natural gas, an agreement has been reached with Senegal on equal distribution of revenues from operating the Grande Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) offshore project, where the first production is expected by 2023, having been delayed by more than a year. The secondary sector (including construction) contributes to 27.6% of the country's GDP and employs 17.6% of its workforce. The manufacturing sector alone accounts for 6% of GDP.

The tertiary sector represents more than 44.1% of the GDP and employs 51.6% of the workforce. The main sub-sectors are transport and telecommunications.

Breakdown of Economic Activity By Sector	Agriculture	Industry	Services
Employment By Sector (in % of Total Employment)	30.8	17.6	51.6
Value Added (in % of GDP)	18.1	27.6	44.1
Value Added (Annual % Change)	-0.3	0.4	-3.0

Source: World Bank - Latest available data.

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Monetary Indicators	2015	2017	2018	2019	2020
Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRO) - Average Annual Exchange Rate For 1 MUR	9.26	1.04	1.05	1.03	0.96

Source: World Bank - Latest available data.

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Indicator of Economic Freedom

Definition

Definition:

The Economic freedom index measure ten components of economic freedom, grouped into four broad categories or pillars of economic freedom: Rule of Law (property rights, freedom from corruption); Limited Government (fiscal freedom, government spending); Regulatory Efficiency (business freedom, labour freedom, monetary freedom); and Open Markets (trade freedom, investment freedom, financial freedom). Each of the freedoms within these four broad categories is individually scored on a scale of 0 to 100. A country’s overall economic freedom score is a simple average of its scores on the 10 individual freedoms.

Score:: 56,1/100
World Rank:: 128
Regional Rank:: 23

Economic freedom in the world (interactive map)
Source: Index of Economic Freedom, Heritage Foundation

Country Risk

See the country risk analysis provided by Coface.

Foreign Trade in Figures

Mauritania is very open to international trade, which represents around 90.7% of the GDP (World Bank, 2020 – latest data available). Iron (34.5%) and copper ore (7.6%), fishing products, gold, inedible flours, meals, and pellets were the main exports of Mauritania in 2020. The country mainly imported petroleum oils, wheat and meslin, raw sugar soya-bean oils (Comtrade).

In the same year, China (33.9%), Switzerland (17.1%), Canada (10%), Spain (6.6%), and Italy (4.6%) were the main export destinations, whereas imports came chiefly from Spain (14.6%), the UAE (14.2%), France (8.4%), China (8.2%), and Belgium (6.8%). Overall, Europe remained the biggest trading partner of Mauritania. While regional trade remains essentially informal and unrecorded, there has recently been a surge in fish exports to some West African countries, especially Cote d'Ivoire and Nigeria (WTO). The country recently signed a free-trade agreement with ECOWAS and is a signatory of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

After a fall in exports of iron and other minerals in 2011, the country's trade balance has remained deep in negative numbers due to the increased level of imports. In 2020, Mauritania's exports reached USD 2.8 billion (up by almost 25% year-on-year), whereas imports stood at USD 2.7 billion, marking a 22% decrease vis-à-vis one year earlier. As per services, Mauritania’s exports are historically really low (at USD 110 million in 2020), the same as for imports (USD 789 million). According to the World Bank’s estimates, the total external trade balance for goods and services was negative by 11.5% of GDP in 2020 (from 13.6% one year earlier).

Foreign Trade Indicators	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
Imports of Goods (million USD)	1,825	2,094	3,183	3,520	2,745
Exports of Goods (million USD)	1,299	1,722	2,052	2,266	2,830
Imports of Services (million USD)	670	698	640	741	789
Exports of Services (million USD)	181	133	113	124	110
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change)	-5.5	1.9	0.5	0.6	0.3
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change)	1.4	1.6	-4.0	6.1	1.0
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP)	47.4	52.9	57.3	53.0	49.5
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP)	31.9	39.1	39.3	40.0	41.1
Trade Balance (million USD)	-499	-372	-706	-570	n/a
Trade Balance (Including Service) (million USD)	-835	-944	-1,222	-1,158	n/a
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP)	79.3	92.0	96.6	93.0	90.7

Source: WTO – World Trade Organisation ; World Bank , Latest Available Data

Main Partner Countries

Main Customers (% of Exports)	2020
China	33.9%
Switzerland	17.1%
Canada	10.0%
Spain	6.6%
Italy	4.6%
Japan	4.3%
Russia	3.4%
Germany	3.2%
Australia	2.6%
Ivory Coast	2.6%
France	1.5%
Nigeria	1.2%
Togo	0.9%
Turkey	0.8%
Benin	0.6%
South Korea	0.6%
Mali	0.6%
Belgium	0.6%
Cameroon	0.5%
Portugal	0.5%
See More Countries	27.9%

Main Suppliers (% of Imports)	2020
Spain	14.6%
United Arab Emirates	14.2%
France	8.4%
China	8.2%
Belgium	6.8%
Russia	6.0%
Netherlands	4.0%
Brazil	3.4%
Turkey	3.0%
Morocco	2.9%
United States	2.4%
Japan	2.1%
Indonesia	2.0%
Singapore	1.9%
Malaysia	1.9%
India	1.7%
Algeria	1.5%
Germany	1.5%
Canada	1.0%
Thailand	1.0%
See More Countries	47.8%

Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data

Main Products

2.8 bn USD of products exported in 2020
Iron ores and concentrates, incl. roasted iron...Iron ores and concentrates, incl. roasted iron pyrites	34.5%
Gold, incl. gold plated with platinum, unwrought...Gold, incl. gold plated with platinum, unwrought or not further worked than semi-manufactured or in powder form	26.1%
Frozen fish (excl. fish fillets and other fish...Frozen fish (excl. fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304)	11.3%
Molluscs, fit for human consumption, whether in...Molluscs, fit for human consumption, whether in shell or not, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine, incl. aquatic invertebrates (other than crustaceans and molluscs); flours, meals and pellets of aquatic invertebrates other than crustaceans, fit for human consumption	9.9%
Copper ores and concentratesCopper ores and concentrates	7.6%
Flours, meals and pellets, of meat or meat offal,...Flours, meals and pellets, of meat or meat offal, of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, unfit for human consumption; greaves	4.9%
Fats and oils and their fractions of fish or...Fats and oils and their fractions of fish or marine mammals, whether or not refined (excl. chemically modified)	1.3%
Iron oxides and hydroxides; earth colours...Iron oxides and hydroxides; earth colours containing >= 70% by weight of combined iron evaluated as fe2o3	1.0%
Crustaceans, fit for human consumption, whether in...Crustaceans, fit for human consumption, whether in shell or not, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine, incl. crustaceans in shell cooked beforehand by steaming or by boiling in water; flours, meals and pellets of crustaceans, fit for human consumption	0.5%
Fish, fresh or chilled (excl. fish fillets and...Fish, fresh or chilled (excl. fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304)	0.5%
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous...Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (excl. crude); preparations containing >= 70% by weight of petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals, these oils being the basic constituents of the preparations, n.e.s.; waste oils containing mainly petroleum or bituminous minerals	0.3%
Parts suitable for use solely or principally with...Parts suitable for use solely or principally with the machinery of heading 8425 to 8430, n.e.s.	0.3%
Fish fillets and other fish meat, whether or not...Fish fillets and other fish meat, whether or not minced, fresh, chilled or frozen	0.3%
Prepared or preserved fish; caviar and caviar...Prepared or preserved fish; caviar and caviar substitutes prepared from fish eggs	0.2%
Crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic...Crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, prepared or preserved	0.2%
Animal or vegetable fertilizers, whether or not...Animal or vegetable fertilizers, whether or not mixed together or chemically treated; fertilizers produced by the mixing or chemical treatment of animal or vegetable products (excl. those in pellet or similar forms, or in packages with a gross weight of <= 10 kg)	0.2%
Prepared binders for foundry moulds or cores;...Prepared binders for foundry moulds or cores; chemical products and preparations for the chemical or allied industries, incl. mixtures of natural products, n.e.s.	0.1%
See More Products	10.6%

2.7 bn USD of products imported in 2020
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous...Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (excl. crude); preparations containing >= 70% by weight of petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals, these oils being the basic constituents of the preparations, n.e.s.; waste oils containing mainly petroleum or bituminous minerals	27.6%
Wheat and meslinWheat and meslin	6.4%
Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in...Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in solid form	6.0%
Soya-bean oil and its fractions, whether or not...Soya-bean oil and its fractions, whether or not refined (excl. chemically modified)	5.4%
Parts suitable for use solely or principally with...Parts suitable for use solely or principally with the machinery of heading 8425 to 8430, n.e.s.	4.6%
Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally...Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, incl. station wagons and racing cars (excl. motor vehicles of heading 8702)	2.1%
Milk and cream, concentrated or containing added...Milk and cream, concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening matter	2.0%
Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, incl....Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, incl. chassis with engine and cab	1.5%
Cement, incl. cement clinkers, whether or not...Cement, incl. cement clinkers, whether or not coloured	1.4%
Structures and parts of structures e.g., bridges...Structures and parts of structures e.g., bridges and bridge-sections, lock-gates, towers, lattice masts, roofs, roofing frameworks, doors and windows and their frames and thresholds for doors, shutters, balustrades, pillars and columns, of iron or steel; plates, rods, angles, shapes, sections, tubes and the like, prepared for use in structures, of iron or steel (excl. prefabricated buildings of heading 9406)	1.4%
Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed...Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in measured doses incl. those in the form of transdermal administration or in forms or packings for retail sale (excl. goods of heading 3002, 3005 or 3006)	1.3%
Machinery for sorting, screening, separating,...Machinery for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing, grinding, mixing or kneading earth, stone, ores or other mineral substances, in solid, incl. powder or paste, form; machinery for agglomerating, shaping or moulding solid mineral fuels, ceramic paste, unhardened cements, plastering materials or other mineral products in powder or paste form; machines for forming foundry moulds of sand; parts thereof	1.3%
Parts suitable for use solely or principally with...Parts suitable for use solely or principally with internal combustion piston engine of heading 8407 or 8408	1.1%
Petroleum gas and other gaseous hydrocarbonsPetroleum gas and other gaseous hydrocarbons	1.0%
New pneumatic tyres, of rubberNew pneumatic tyres, of rubber	1.0%
Onions, shallots, garlic, leeks and other...Onions, shallots, garlic, leeks and other alliaceous vegetables, fresh or chilled	1.0%
RiceRice	0.9%
Insulated incl. enamelled or anodised wire, cable...Insulated incl. enamelled or anodised wire, cable incl. coaxial cable and other insulated electric conductors, whether or not fitted with connectors; optical fibre cables, made-up of individually sheathed fibres, whether or not assembled with electric conductors or fitted with connectors	0.9%
Cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes of...Cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes of tobacco or of tobacco substitutes	0.9%
Meat and edible offal of fowls of the species...Meat and edible offal of fowls of the species gallus domesticus, ducks, geese, turkeys and guinea fowls, fresh, chilled or frozen	0.8%
Articles of iron or steel, n.e.s. (excl. cast...Articles of iron or steel, n.e.s. (excl. cast articles)	0.7%
Tea, whether or not flavouredTea, whether or not flavoured	0.7%
Milk and cream, not concentrated nor containing...Milk and cream, not concentrated nor containing added sugar or other sweetening matter	0.7%
Compression-ignition internal combustion piston...Compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine diesel or semi-diesel engines	0.6%
Cyanides, oxycyanides and complex cyanidesCyanides, oxycyanides and complex cyanides	0.6%
Oil-cake and other solid residues, whether or not...Oil-cake and other solid residues, whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of vegetable fats or oils (excl. from soya-bean oil and ground-nut oil)	0.6%
Parts and accessories for tractors, motor vehicles...Parts and accessories for tractors, motor vehicles for the transport of ten or more persons, motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, motor vehicles for the transport of goods and special purpose motor vehicles of heading 8701 to 8705, n.e.s.	0.6%
Sheet piling of iron or steel, whether or not...Sheet piling of iron or steel, whether or not drilled, punched or made from assembled elements; welded angles, shapes and sections, of iron or steel	0.6%
Unglazed ceramic flags and paving, hearth or wall...Unglazed ceramic flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles; unglazed ceramic mosaic cubes and the like, whether or not on a backing (excl. of siliceous fossil meals or similar siliceous earths, refractory ceramic goods, tiles made into stands, ornamental articles and tiles specifically manufactured for stoves)	0.6%
Bars and rods, of iron or non-alloy steel, not...Bars and rods, of iron or non-alloy steel, not further worked than forged, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, but incl. those twisted after rolling (excl. in irregularly wound coils)	0.5%
Potatoes, fresh or chilledPotatoes, fresh or chilled	0.5%
Articles of plastics and articles of other...Articles of plastics and articles of other materials of heading 3901 to 3914, n.e.s.	0.4%
Other vegetables, fresh or chilled (excl. potatoes...Other vegetables, fresh or chilled (excl. potatoes, tomatoes, alliaceous vegetables, edible brassicas, lettuce lactuca sativa and chicory cichorium spp., carrots, turnips, salad beetroot, salsify, celeriac, radishes and similar edible roots, cucumbers and gherkins, and leguminous vegatables)	0.4%
Mineral or chemical nitrogenous fertilizers (excl....Mineral or chemical nitrogenous fertilizers (excl. those in pellet or similar forms, or in packages with a gross weight of <= 10 kg)	0.4%
Transmission shafts, incl. camshafts and...Transmission shafts, incl. camshafts and crankshafts, and cranks; bearing housings and plain shaft bearings for machines; gears and gearing; ball or roller screws, gear boxes and other speed changers, incl. torque converters; flywheels and pulleys, incl. pulley blocks, clutches and shaft couplings, incl. universal joints; parts thereof	0.4%
Nitrites; nitratesNitrites; nitrates	0.4%
Organic surface-active agents (excl. soap);...Organic surface-active agents (excl. soap); surface-active preparations, washing preparations, incl. auxiliary washing preparations, and cleaning preparations, whether or not containing soap (excl. those of heading 3401)	0.4%
Palm oil and its fractions, whether or not refined...Palm oil and its fractions, whether or not refined (excl. chemically modified)	0.4%
Stranded wire, cables, plaited bands and the like,...Stranded wire, cables, plaited bands and the like, of aluminium (excl. such products electrically insulated)	0.4%
Pumps for liquids, whether or not fitted with a...Pumps for liquids, whether or not fitted with a measuring device (excl. ceramic pumps and secretion aspirating pumps for medical use and medical pumps carried on or implanted in the body); liquid elevators (excl. pumps); parts thereof	0.4%
Malt extract; food preparations of flour, groats,...Malt extract; food preparations of flour, groats, meal, starch or malt extract, not containing cocoa or containing < 40% by weight of cocoa calculated on a totally defatted basis, n.e.s.; food preparations of milk, cream, butter milk, sour milk, sour cream, whey, yoghourt, kefir, and similar goods of heading 0401 to 0404, not containing cocoa or containing < 5% by weight of cocoa calculated on a totally defatted basis, n.e.s.	0.4%
Electrical apparatus for line telephony or line...Electrical apparatus for line telephony or line telegraphy, incl. line telephone sets with cordless handsets and telecommunication apparatus for carrier-current line systems or for digital line systems; videophones; parts thereof	0.4%
Bars and rods of alloy steel other than stainless,...Bars and rods of alloy steel other than stainless, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils ecsc	0.3%
Screws, bolts, nuts, coach screws, screw hooks,...Screws, bolts, nuts, coach screws, screw hooks, rivets, cotters, cotter-pins, washers, incl. spring washers, and similar articles, of iron or steel (excl. lag screws, stoppers, plugs and the like, threaded)	0.3%
Electric generating sets and rotary convertersElectric generating sets and rotary converters	0.3%
Special purpose motor vehicles (other than those...Special purpose motor vehicles (other than those principally designed for the transport of persons or goods), e.g. breakdown lorries, crane lorries, fire fighting vehicles, concrete-mixer lorries, road sweeper lorries, spraying lorries, mobile workshops and mobile radiological units	0.3%
Petroleum coke, petroleum bitumen and other...Petroleum coke, petroleum bitumen and other residues of petroleum oil or of oil obtained from bituminous minerals, n.e.s.	0.3%
Cartons, boxes, cases, bags and other packing...Cartons, boxes, cases, bags and other packing containers, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres, n.e.s.; box files, letter trays, and similar articles, of paperboard of a kind used in offices, shops or the like	0.3%
Tractors (other than tractors of heading 8709)Tractors (other than tractors of heading 8709)	0.3%
Air or vacuum pumps (excl. gas compound elevators...Air or vacuum pumps (excl. gas compound elevators and pneumatic elevators and conveyors); air or other gas compressors and fans; ventilating or recycling hoods incorporating a fan, whether or not fitted with filters; parts thereof	0.3%
Carrots, turnips, salad beetroot, salsify,...Carrots, turnips, salad beetroot, salsify, celeriac, radishes and similar edible roots, fresh or chilled	0.3%
Tools, interchangeable, for hand tools, whether or...Tools, interchangeable, for hand tools, whether or not power-operated, or for machine-tools e.g. for pressing, stamping, punching, tapping, threading, drilling, boring, broaching, milling, turning or screw driving, incl. dies for drawing or extruding metal, and rock drilling or earth boring tools	0.3%
Corrugated paper and paperboard with or without...Corrugated paper and paperboard with or without glued flat surface sheets, creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm or in square or rectangular sheets with one side > 36 cm and the other side > 15 cm in the unfolded state (excl. goods of heading 4803)	0.2%
Refrigerators, freezers and other refrigerating or...Refrigerators, freezers and other refrigerating or freezing equipment, electric or other; heat pumps; parts thereof (excl. air conditioning machines of heading 8415)	0.2%
Dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, guavas, mangoes...Dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, guavas, mangoes and mangosteens, fresh or dried	0.2%
Electrical transformers, static converters, e.g....Electrical transformers, static converters, e.g. rectifiers, and inductors; parts thereof	0.2%
Air conditioning machines comprising a...Air conditioning machines comprising a motor-driven fan and elements for changing the temperature and humidity, incl. those machines in which the humidity cannot be separately regulated; parts thereof	0.2%
Animal or vegetable fertilizers, whether or not...Animal or vegetable fertilizers, whether or not mixed together or chemically treated; fertilizers produced by the mixing or chemical treatment of animal or vegetable products (excl. those in pellet or similar forms, or in packages with a gross weight of <= 10 kg)	0.2%
Self-propelled bulldozers, angledozers, graders,...Self-propelled bulldozers, angledozers, graders, levellers, scrapers, mechanical shovels, excavators, shovel loaders, tamping machines and road rollers	0.2%
Woven fabrics of cotton, containing predominantly,...Woven fabrics of cotton, containing predominantly, but < 85% cotton by weight, other than those mixed principally or solely with man-made fibres	0.2%
Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances for...Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like, incl. pressure-reducing valves and thermostatically controlled valves; parts thereof	0.2%
Electrical insulators of any material (excl....Electrical insulators of any material (excl. insulating fittings)	0.2%
Parts of railway or tramway locomotives or...Parts of railway or tramway locomotives or rolling-stock, n.e.s.	0.2%
Motor vehicles for the transport of >= 10 persons,...Motor vehicles for the transport of >= 10 persons, incl. driver	0.2%
Amine-function compoundsAmine-function compounds	0.2%
Centrifuges, incl. centrifugal dryers (excl. those...Centrifuges, incl. centrifugal dryers (excl. those for isotope separation); filtering or purifying machinery and apparatus, for liquids or gases; parts thereof (excl. artificial kidneys)	0.2%
Angles, shapes and sections of iron or non-alloy...Angles, shapes and sections of iron or non-alloy steel, n.e.s.	0.2%
Tube or pipe fittings e.g. couplings, elbows,...Tube or pipe fittings e.g. couplings, elbows, sleeves, of iron or steel	0.2%
Garments made-up of felt or nonwovens, whether or...Garments made-up of felt or nonwovens, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated; garments of textile fabrics, rubberised or impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with plastics or other substances (excl. knitted or crocheted, and babies' garments and clothing accessories)	0.2%
Tubes, pipes and hoses, and fittings therefor, e.g...Tubes, pipes and hoses, and fittings therefor, e.g. joints, elbows, flanges, of plastics	0.2%
Ships' derricks; cranes, incl. cable cranes (excl....Ships' derricks; cranes, incl. cable cranes (excl. wheel-mounted cranes and vehicle cranes for railways); mobile lifting frames, straddle carriers and works trucks fitted with a crane	0.2%
Polymers of ethylene, in primary formsPolymers of ethylene, in primary forms	0.2%
Soups and broths and preparations therefor; food...Soups and broths and preparations therefor; food preparations consisting of finely homogenized mixtures of two or more basic ingredients such as meat, fish, vegetables or fruit, put up for retail sale as infant food or for dietetic purposes, in containers of <= 250 g	0.2%
Tableware, kitchenware, other household articles...Tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and toilet articles, of plastics (excl. baths, shower-baths, wash-basins, bidets, lavatory pans, seats and covers, flushing cisterns and similar sanitary ware)	0.1%
Electrical apparatus for switching or protecting...Electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical circuits, or for making connections to or in electrical circuits, e.g., switches, relays, fuses, surge suppressors, plugs, sockets, lamp-holders and junction boxes, for a voltage <= 1.000 v (excl. control desks, cabinets, panels etc. of heading 8537)	0.1%
Electric motors and generators (excl. generating...Electric motors and generators (excl. generating sets)	0.1%
Woven pile fabrics and chenille fabrics (excl....Woven pile fabrics and chenille fabrics (excl. terry towelling and similar woven terry fabrics, tufted textile fabrics and narrow woven fabrics of heading 5806)	0.1%
Carpets and other textile floor coverings, woven,...Carpets and other textile floor coverings, woven, not tufted or flocked, whether or not made-up, incl. kelem, schumacks, karamanie and similar handwoven rugs	0.1%
Railway or tramway track construction material of...Railway or tramway track construction material of iron or steel, the following : rails, check-rails and rack rails, switch blades, crossing frogs, point rods and other crossing pieces, sleepers cross-ties, fish-plates, chairs, chair wedges, sole plates base plates, rail clips, bedplates, ties and other material specialized for jointing or fixing rails	0.1%
Instruments and appliances used in medical,...Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, incl. scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight-testing instruments, n.e.s.	0.1%
Pasta, whether or not cooked or stuffed with meat...Pasta, whether or not cooked or stuffed with meat or other substances or otherwise prepared, such as spaghetti, macaroni, noodles, lasagne, gnocchi, ravioli, cannelloni; couscous, whether or not prepared	0.1%
Electric accumulators, incl. separators therefor,...Electric accumulators, incl. separators therefor, whether or not rectangular or square; parts thereof (excl. spent and those of unhardened rubber or textiles)	0.1%
Human blood; animal blood prepared for therapeutic...Human blood; animal blood prepared for therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic uses; antisera and other blood fractions and modified immunological products, whether or not obtained by means of biotechnological processes; vaccines, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excl. yeasts) and similar products	0.1%
Worn clothing and clothing accessories, blankets...Worn clothing and clothing accessories, blankets and travelling rugs, household linen and articles for interior furnishing, of all types of textile materials, incl. all types of footwear and headgear, showing signs of appreciable wear and presented in bulk or in bales, sacks or similar packings (excl. carpets, other floor coverings and tapestries)	0.1%
Boards, panels, consoles, desks, cabinets and...Boards, panels, consoles, desks, cabinets and other bases, equipped with two or more apparatus of heading 8535 or 8536, for electric control or the distribution of electricity, incl. those incorporating instruments or apparatus of chapter 90, and numerical control apparatus (excl. switching apparatus for line telephony or line telegraphy)	0.1%
Acrylic polymers, in primary formsAcrylic polymers, in primary forms	0.1%
Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and other bakers'...Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and other bakers' wares, whether or not containing cocoa; communion wafers, empty cachets of a kind suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice paper and similar products	0.1%
Articles for the conveyance or packaging of goods,...Articles for the conveyance or packaging of goods, of plastics; stoppers, lids, caps and other closures, of plastics	0.1%
Trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases,...Trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, holsters and similar containers; travelling-bags, insulated food or beverage bags, toilet bags, rucksacks, handbags, shopping-bags, wallets, purses, map-cases, cigarette-cases, tobacco-pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle-cases, jewellery boxes, powder-boxes, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition leather, of sheeting of plastics, of textile materials, of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such materials or with paper	0.1%
Articles for interior furnishing, of all types of...Articles for interior furnishing, of all types of textile materials (excl. blankets and travelling rugs, bed-linen, table linen, toilet linen, kitchen linen, curtains, incl. drapes, interior blinds, curtain or bed valances, lampshades and articles of heading 9404)	0.1%
Cabbages, cauliflowers, kohlrabi, kale and similar...Cabbages, cauliflowers, kohlrabi, kale and similar edible brassicas, fresh or chilled	0.1%
Uncoated kraft paper and paperboard, in rolls of a...Uncoated kraft paper and paperboard, in rolls of a width > 36 cm or in square or rectangular sheets with one side > 36 cm and the other side > 15 cm in the unfolded state (excl. goods of heading 4802 or 4803)	0.1%
Machines and mechanical appliances having...Machines and mechanical appliances having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; parts thereof	0.1%
Bran, sharps and other residues, whether or not in...Bran, sharps and other residues, whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from the sifting, milling or other working of cereals or of leguminous plants	0.1%
Ball or roller bearings (excl. steel balls of...Ball or roller bearings (excl. steel balls of heading 7326); parts thereof	0.1%
Quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime (excl....Quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime (excl. pure calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide)	0.1%
See More Products	50.1%

Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data

To go further, check out our service Import Export Flows.

Sources of General Economic Information

Ministries: Ministry of Economic Affairs and Development
Statistical Office: National Statistical Institute (in French)
Central Bank: Central Bank of Mauritania (in French)
Stock Exchange
Search Engines: Directory of Cities, Towns and Regions in Mauritania
Economic Portals: Mauritania Internet Guide (In French)

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders: President: Mohamed Ould Ghazouani (since 1 August 2019).
Prime Minister: Mohamed Ould Bilal (since 6 August 2020).
Next Election Dates: Presidential: 22 June 2024
Legislative: 2023
Main Political Parties: - Union for the Republic: the main political party, led by former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.
- Tewassoul - the National Rally for Reform and Development: Islamist opposition, associated with the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood
- El-Wiam: close to former President Maaouiya Ould Taya (ousted in a 2005 coup)
- The People's Progressive Alliance (APP): led by outgoing National Assembly Speaker Messaoud Ould Boulkheir
- Alliance for Justice and Democracy Movement for Renewal ( AJD-MR): black minority interests
- Rally of Democratic Forces: centre-left, social-liberalism
- Republican Party For Democracy and Renewal: right-wing, liberal conservatism
- Union of Progress Forces: centre-left, social democracy
Type of State: Islamic Republic state based on parliamentary democracy (Presidential system).
Executive Power: The chief of state is the president elected by a popular vote for a five-year term. The President's executive powers include the command of the armed forces, the right to appoint high-level executives as well as the promulgation and execution of the law. The democratic system has been restored since 2009 following a military coup.
Legislative Power: The legislature in Mauritania is bicameral. The parliament consists of: the Senate (upper house) having 56 seats; with its members elected by municipal leaders to serve six-year terms and the National Assembly (lower house) having 81 seats; with its members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms. The National Assembly exercises little independence from the executive. It can be dissolved by the President at his will. The people of Mauritania enjoy very limited political rights.

Indicator of Freedom of the Press

Definition

Definition:

The world rankings, published annually, measures violations of press freedom worldwide. It reflects the degree of freedom enjoyed by journalists, the media and digital citizens of each country and the means used by states to respect and uphold this freedom. Finally, a note and a position are assigned to each country. To compile this index, Reporters Without Borders (RWB) prepared a questionnaire incorporating the main criteria (44 in total) to assess the situation of press freedom in a given country. This questionnaire was sent to partner organisations,150 RWB correspondents, journalists, researchers, jurists and human rights activists. It includes every kind of direct attacks against journalists and digital citizens (murders, imprisonment, assault, threats, etc.) or against the media (censorship, confiscation, searches and harassment etc.).

World Rank:: 94/180

Source: World Press Freedom Index, Reporters Without Borders

Indicator of Political Freedom

Definition

Definition:

The Indicator of Political Freedom provides an annual evaluation of the state of freedom in a country as experienced by individuals. The survey measures freedom according to two broad categories: political rights and civil liberties. The ratings process is based on a checklist of 10 political rights questions (on Electoral Process, Political Pluralism and Participation, Functioning of Government) and 15 civil liberties questions (on Freedom of Expression, Belief, Associational and Organizational Rights, Rule of Law, Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights). Scores are awarded to each of these questions on a scale of 0 to 4, where a score of 0 represents the smallest degree and 4 the greatest degree of rights or liberties present. The total score awarded to the political rights and civil liberties checklist determines the political rights and civil liberties rating. Each rating of 1 through 7, with 1 representing the highest and 7 the lowest level of freedom, corresponds to a range of total scores.

Ranking:: Not Free
Political Freedom:: 5/7

Political freedom in the world (interactive map)
Source: Freedom in the World Report, Freedom House

COVID-19 Country Response

COVID-19 epidemic evolution: To find out about the latest status of the COVID-19 pandemic evolution and the most up-to-date statistics on the COVID-19 disease in Mauritania, you can visit the Ministry of Health website.
For the international outlook you can consult the latest situation reports published by the World Health Organisation as well as the global daily statistics on the coronavirus pandemic evolution including data on confirmed cases and deaths by country.
Sanitary measures: To discover the latest public health situation in Mauritania and the current sanitary measures in vigour, you can consult the report from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Travel restrictions: The COVID-19 situation, including the spread of new variants, evolves rapidly and differs from country to country. All travelers need to pay close attention to the conditions at their destination before traveling. Regularly updated information for all countries with regards to Covid-19 related travel restrictions in place including entry regulations, flight bans, test requirements and quarantine is available on TravelDoc Infopage.
It is also highly recommended to consult COVID-19 Travel Regulations Map provided and updated on the daily basis by IATA.
The US government website of Centers of Disease Control and Prevention provides COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination.
The UK Foreign travel advice also provides travelling abroad advice for all countries, including the latest information on coronavirus, safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings.
Import & export restrictions: For the information on all the measures applicable to movement of goods during the period of sanitary emergency due to the COVID-19 outbreak (including eventual restrictions on imports and exports, if applicable), please consult the website of the Mauritania´s Customs.
For a general overview of trade restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic, please consult the section dedicated to Mauritania on the International Trade Centre's COVID-19 Temporary Trade Measures webpage.
Economic recovery plan: Given the extremely low number of cases reported, the Mauritanian government took few economic measures to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some information on its response is available on the World Bank´s website.
For the general overview of the key economic policy responses to the COVID-19 outbreak (fiscal, monetary and macroeconomic) taken by the Mauritanian government to limit the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, please consult the section dedicated to Mauritania in the IMF’s Policy Tracker platform.
Support plan for businesses: The country's government oﬃcial sources do not provide yet information with regards to speciﬁc schemes in support of business or exporting companies following the coronavirus epidemic outbreak. For the updated information please visit the website of Mauritania´s Ministry of Economy.
For a general overview of international SME support policy responses to the COVID-19 outbreak refer to the World Bank's Map of SME-Support Measures in Response to COVID-19.
Support plan for exporters: The country's government oﬃcial sources do not provide yet information with regards to speciﬁc schemes in support of business or exporting companies following the coronavirus epidemic outbreak. For the updated information please visit the website of the Mauritania´s Ministry of Economy.

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