By Djeinaba Kane, specialist in public policy and international relations
As many countries strengthen their engagement with their diasporas around the world, Mauritania finds itself at a decisive moment to deepen collaboration with its citizens living abroad. Following recent directives from President Ghazwani aimed at strengthening ties with Mauritanian communities overseas and enhancing their role as partners in national development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the organization of a forum for Mauritanians abroad, scheduled to take place in Nouakchott in November 2025.
This forum represents a unique opportunity to amplify the voices of Mauritanians living abroad, showcase diaspora initiatives, and encourage all sons and daughters of Mauritania to actively contribute to the country’s development.
This initiative is not entirely new. Previous efforts, particularly under the former presidency, had led to policies such as allowing dual nationality and measures facilitating the movement of Mauritanian communities abroad. However, geopolitical developments, changing national priorities, and evolving socio-economic context call for a renewed approach: the diaspora must now be recognized as a key driver of development and social cohesion.
With recent appointments of Mauritians to high-level strategic positions in international development, professional expatriates bringing their expertise and diverse networks, and migrants living across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, coordinating the efforts of these different diaspora groups within a unified program could significantly strengthen government initiatives. Such coordination would not only amplify contributions to national development but also align these efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The Mauritanian diaspora has already made significant contributions to the development of their regions of origin, driven by a sense of social duty and a willingness to give back. A notable example is ACTUME (Association against Tuberculosis and Endemic Diseases), a non-profit organization based in France, led by diaspora members. Through their efforts, a community pharmacy, a medicinal plant garden, and the Tékane Health Center were established, strengthening local healthcare infrastructure. Similar initiatives exist in the regions of Adrar, Guidimakha, and elsewhere, illustrating the tangible impact of the diaspora.
Imagine the potential of this engagement if supported and coordinated with national authorities. Governments certainly play a key role, but it is also the duty of citizens, both at home and abroad, to fulfill their patriotic responsibility by contributing wherever they can to increase their impact on national development.
On September 13, neighboring Senegal announced the launch of bonds for the diaspora, a new public savings instrument with a social impact dimension, called “Social and Patriotic Bonds.” These bonds offer attractive returns ranging from 6.40% over three years to 6.95% over ten years.
Senegal joins Nigeria, Kenya, Bangladesh, and other countries around the world that have mobilized the resources and expertise of their diasporas to support development projects in agriculture, infrastructure, technology, and real estate, among others. In 2011, the Central Bank of Kenya launched a 12-year infrastructure bond worth 20 billion KES (approximately 200 million USD), offering a 12% return to investors, with a special allocation for the diaspora. Remittances can also serve as a financing instrument for diaspora development. Bangladesh, for example, has implemented targeted initiatives such as a 2.5% bonus on remittances through official channels, the development of digital banking infrastructure, and the launch of bonds and financial products for migrants, thereby enhancing macroeconomic stability and access to financial services.
These examples highlight the potential for Mauritania to mobilize its diaspora as a strategic partner for national development. Building on these international successes, Mauritanian authorities are encouraged to prioritize financial and investment mechanisms that engage the diaspora, fostering its contribution to social enterprises and the creation of innovative financing solutions.
With the booming mining sector and the growth of oil and gas production, a wave of new opportunities is emerging. In this context, engagement with the Mauritanian diaspora proves to be of renewed strategic importance. Experts recommend the establishment of a semi-public institution, such as a National Diaspora Council, directly linked to the Presidency or Prime Minister, while maintaining a degree of autonomy and rigorous governance. This public-private partnership would underscore the strategic priority of the initiative and the vital role of the diaspora in national development.
The government should provide initial funding by mobilizing institutional partnerships and budgetary resources. The council could then launch programs ranging from grants for social enterprises to co-financing initiatives, targeting key sectors such as health, mining, agriculture, industrialization, tourism, and technology across the country. These initiatives would offer the diaspora a dual opportunity: achieving a return on investment while actively contributing to the sustainable development of Mauritania.
To ensure effectiveness, the council would work closely with existing institutions, such as the Agency for the Promotion of Investments in Mauritania (APIM) and the Support Program for Innovative, Inclusive, and Sustainable Finance (PAFIID), to design innovative financing mechanisms that engage the diaspora while supporting social initiatives through the creation of social enterprises. By offering mentoring programs, tax incentives, streamlined procedures, and access to public markets, the country aims to stimulate economic projects led by its diaspora. Encouraging diaspora investment could also transform remittances into a sustainable source of development financing, directed towards structured savings products, investment opportunities, or bonds for the diaspora, thereby creating a lasting capital base for national development.
At this pivotal moment in Mauritania’s history, it is time to decisively act for the socio-economic development of the country, mobilizing all sons and daughters of the nation to shape its future.
