The International Monetary Fund’s 2024–2025 Executive Board report offers a nuanced view of Mauritania’s economic outlook,acknowledging strides in macroeconomic stability and reform while underlining persistent vulnerabilities.
Security instability in the broader Sahel region remains a critical constraint,diverting public resources toward defense and deterring foreign investment. The fragile regional context,coupled with Mauritania’s reliance on extractive industries,leaves the country acutely exposed to external shocks,such as volatile commodity prices and delays in key oil and gas projects,which risk destabilising fiscal balances and foreign reserves.
The report also identifies major structural weaknesses undermining the country’s development. Insufficient infrastructure and the mounting impact of climate change—particularly recurrent droughts and water scarcity—compound social pressures in rural areas. While there has been progress in tackling corruption,institutional inefficiencies and slow economic diversification continue to limit the growth of agriculture,fisheries,and service sectors.
Heavy dependence on donor funding further constrains policy autonomy,while deficits in human capital,low financial inclusion,and limited access to quality education and skills training are stifling youth employment and labour market adaptability.
The IMF urges a bold,sustained push for structural reforms,stronger governance,and inclusive economic transformation to ensure resilience and long-term prosperity.
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