Anchor sector
Mining & minerals
Iron ore expansion at Zouerate plus gold, copper and phosphate concessions open to foreign operators.
Country Profile — Arab-America International Expo 2027
Profile content in preparationIslamic Republic of Mauritania
Iron ore, Atlantic fisheries, offshore gas.
A resource-rich Atlantic economy with world-class iron ore, one of the richest fishing grounds on earth, and a major new offshore gas field entering production.
Country at a glance
- GDP
- ≈ $11 billion (nominal)
- Population
- ≈ 4.9 million
- Currency
- Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU)
- Capital
- Nouakchott
- Economic growth
- ≈ 4.6% real GDP growth
Statistics year: 2024 (latest full-year data)
Overview
Resources on the Atlantic edge of the Arab world
Mauritania's economy rests on three pillars: iron ore from the Zouerate deposits, one of the world's most productive fishing zones off its Atlantic coast, and now natural gas.
The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim field, developed with Senegal, brought Mauritania into the ranks of LNG exporters and is anchoring a new phase of investment.
Exceptional solar irradiation and steady Atlantic wind have attracted several of the largest proposed green-hydrogen projects in Africa.
- Capital
- Nouakchott
- Population
- ≈ 4.9 million (2024)
- Language
- Arabic; French widely used in business
- Currency
- Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU)
- Coastline
- 754 km on the Atlantic Ocean
- Key resources
- Iron ore, gold, copper, fish, natural gas
- Main ports
- Nouakchott, Nouadhibou
- Time zone
- GMT
Economy
Minerals, fish and a new gas era
Extractives and fisheries dominate exports, with LNG and renewables set to reshape the economy over the coming decade.
$0B
GDP (nominal, 2024)
Small but fast-growing economy
0M t/yr
Iron ore exports
From the Zouerate mines
0.3 Mtpa
GTA gas field capacity
Phase one LNG production
0%
Fishing zone productivity
Among the world's richest waters
Iron ore & miningSNIM, one of Africa's largest producers
Fisheries & seafoodOctopus, sardinella, hake
Natural gas & LNGGreater Tortue Ahmeyim
Gold & copperTasiast and Guelb Moghrein
Livestock & agricultureSenegal River valley farming
Renewables & hydrogenLarge-scale project pipeline
Priority sectors
Where Mauritanian partners are looking
Sectors where the government and state companies actively seek international operators and equipment.
Value addition
Fisheries & processing
One of the world's richest fishing zones, with a national push to process and freeze onshore rather than export raw catch.
New industry
Natural gas & LNG
The GTA field and further offshore blocks under exploration with international majors.
Emerging
Green hydrogen & ammonia
Multi-gigawatt projects proposed on the back of exceptional combined solar and wind resources.
Logistics
Port & logistics
Nouadhibou free zone development linking mining, fishing and transhipment.
Food
Agriculture & livestock
Irrigated farming along the Senegal River and a large pastoral livestock sector.
National development
Turning resources into diversified growth
Mauritania's strategy targets value addition in mining and fisheries, gas monetisation and large-scale renewable industry.
- 2013
Nouadhibou free zone
A special economic zone created around the fishing and mining port.
- 2018
Green hydrogen interest
International developers begin assessing Mauritania's combined solar and wind resource.
- 2025
GTA first gas
The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim field begins LNG production with Senegal.
- 2035
Target horizon
Diversified exports across LNG, processed seafood, minerals and green fuels.
Major development projects
Major national development projects
Programmes attracting international capital and equipment.
Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG
A cross-border offshore gas development with a floating LNG facility shared with Senegal.
Project Nour & Aman
Proposed multi-gigawatt green hydrogen and ammonia developments on the Atlantic coast.
SNIM iron ore expansion
Mine, rail and port upgrades to raise iron ore export volumes.
Nouadhibou free zone
Fish processing, cold storage and industrial facilities around the northern port.
US – Mauritania trade
Resources out, equipment and food in
Mauritania exports minerals and seafood to Asia and Europe while importing food, machinery and fuel — with room for American equipment and agricultural suppliers.
Top exports to the world
Iron ore
Gold
Fish & seafood
Copper concentrate
Top imports
Food & agricultural commodities
Machinery & mining equipment
Refined fuels
Vehicles & parts
Leading products to the United States
- Fish and seafood
- Iron ore
- Gold
Leading products from the United States
- Mining and construction machinery
- Wheat and food commodities
- Vehicles
- Oilfield and energy equipment
- One of the most productive fishing zones on the planet, off a short Atlantic coast
- New LNG production changing the country's export profile
- Among the best combined solar and wind resources in Africa for green fuels
Bilateral goods trade — 2024
Trade with the United States
Verified full-year bilateral merchandise trade between Mauritania and the United States, reported from Mauritania's perspective.
Latest verified data available
Total U.S. goods trade
$350.0M
2024
Exports to the United States
$50.0M
2024
Imports from the United States
$300.0M
2024
Trade balance
$250.0M
Deficit for Mauritania
2024
Exports vs. imports — 2024
Mauritania exports to the United States$50.0M
Mauritania imports from the United States$300.0M
Exports to the US Imports from the US
Mauritania is a net importer of American goods, principally mining and transport equipment and food staples, while exporting seafood and mineral products to the United States in modest volumes.
Scope of these figures
Latest verified data available. These figures represent merchandise trade only and do not include services.
Data source
- U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Division — country trade data (full year 2024)
- UN Comtrade Database
Statistical year: 2024
Leading exports to the United States
- Fish and seafood
- Iron ore and metal products
- Gold and mineral products
Leading imports from the United States
- Machinery and mining equipment
- Vehicles
- Cereals and food products
- Petroleum products
Culture & tourism
Desert caravan cities and the Atlantic
Ancient Saharan trading towns, the Banc d'Arguin bird sanctuary and the world's longest train.
Adrar
Chinguetti
A medieval caravan city with historic manuscript libraries.
Atlantic coast
Banc d'Arguin National Park
A globally important migratory bird sanctuary and marine reserve.
North
Nouadhibou iron ore train
One of the longest and heaviest trains in the world, crossing the Sahara.
Capital
Nouakchott fish market
A vivid daily landing of the Atlantic catch on the city's beach.
Why invest
Why international companies look at Mauritania
Resource quality and renewable potential in a small, accessible market.
01
Resource endowment
High-grade iron ore, gold, copper and a world-class fishery in one country.
02
New gas production
LNG exports adding foreign currency and infrastructure investment.
03
Renewable resource
Coincident high solar and steady Atlantic wind — rare and valuable for hydrogen.
04
Free zone framework
Nouadhibou offers customs and tax advantages for processing and export industry.
At the Expo
Mauritania at AAIX 2027
The Mauritania pavilion presents mining, fisheries and renewable-energy opportunities to American partners.
- Mining and equipment supplier meetings
- Seafood buyer and processing investment introductions
- Green hydrogen and renewables project briefings
- Nouadhibou free zone investment clinic
World heritage
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Mauritania
Sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a core part of the country's cultural and tourism offer.
Banc d'Arguin National Park
Sand dunes, coastal swamps and shallow waters supporting vast bird populations.
Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata
Four trans-Saharan trading and religious centres founded in the 11th and 12th centuries.
Business opportunities
Opportunities for Arab and American companies
How companies from different markets can engage with Mauritania through the Expo.
For American companies
Supply mining and processing equipment, cold-chain technology and energy services to a growing extractives economy.
For Arab companies
Invest in fish processing, food security agriculture and logistics on the Atlantic seaboard.
For international investors
Green hydrogen and ammonia projects, mining concessions and port infrastructure.
Represent Mauritania at Arab-America International Expo 2027
Present your country's economy, industries, products, investment opportunities, tourism destinations and culture to the American and North American markets.
Reserve space in the Mauritanian pavilion, or register as an American company to meet mining, fisheries and energy partners.
Sources & data
- Office National de la Statistique (Mauritania)
- Banque Centrale de Mauritanie
- SNIM public disclosures
- World Bank World Development Indicators
- IMF World Economic Outlook
- U.S. Census Bureau / USTR trade statistics
- UN Comtrade
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Last updated: August 2026