On November 26, 2025, Nouakchott hosted the Franco-Mauritanian Economic Forum, a high-level meeting bringing together public officials, investors, and private sector support institutions from both countries. Alongside Nicolas Forissier, French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Attractiveness, were Mohamed Khaled, Mauritanian Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Dr. Tah Ahmed Meouloud, Director of the Agency for the Promotion of Investments in Mauritania (APIM), and Gérald Petit, Country Director of Business France in Mauritania.
In their respective interventions, the officials emphasized the strength of an economic relationship based on trust, mutual respect, and the desire to accelerate investments. Addressing Mauritanian and French operators, Nicolas Forissier praised the role of foreign trade advisors, Business France, Bpifrance, MEDEF International, and all the diplomatic and technical teams involved: “This forum is another step in strengthening this relationship and in the emergence of concrete projects. What matters, beyond business, is what we will leave to our children. And if we can build it together, Mauritians and French, then we will have done something useful.”
One of the highlights of the meeting was the signing of a cooperation protocol between Business France and APIM, aimed at enhancing the country’s attractiveness, further structuring investment flows, and developing joint training programs, sharing best practices, and supporting companies. “This partnership marks an important step. The economic relationship between our two countries is entering a more structured, ambitious, and value-oriented cycle,” said Gérald Petit. Nicolas Forissier’s official visit aimed to intensify bilateral relations. In a column published the day before, the Minister Delegate described the Franco-Mauritanian partnership as a “model of open cooperation respectful of mutual interests,” noting that nearly forty French companies are established in Mauritania, representing over 2,000 direct jobs and significant investments, including the €155 million project led by Méridiam for the container terminal at the port of Nouakchott. Bilateral trade reached nearly €340 million in 2024, a level expected to grow with the new commitments announced.
During his visit, Nicolas Forissier also signed a €39 million financing agreement with the Mauritanian Minister of Economic Affairs and Development, Abdallahi Ould Souleymane Ould Cheikh Sidiya, for the hybridization of ten thermal power plants, a key aspect of the country’s energy transition. At the same time, an intent declaration was concluded between the Mauritanian Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Ms. Massouda Mint Baham Mohamed Laghdaf, acting for Mines and Industry, and the French Minister, to strengthen cooperation in mining and base minerals.
This text is part of a common strategy to better exploit natural resources while strengthening environmental governance. All of these initiatives confirm the willingness of both countries to inscribe their partnership in a new, more structured dynamic, open to private investments and oriented towards strategic sectors: energy, mining, infrastructure, business climate, and talent development. Nouakchott was, for a day, the stage for a bilateral relationship in full reconfiguration, where economic ambitions and long-term commitments converged towards a clear message: France and Mauritania intend to build together the next stage of their shared development.
