Partner risk indices

Country Risk Index

58.2

Political Risk Index

52.9

Short-Term Economic Risk Index

51

Long-Term Economic Risk Index

56.7

Operational Risk Index

68

Source: Partner Research Partner, as of 8 Nov 2026. 0-100, higher means higher risk.

Key indicators

Market overview

• Mauritania is in West Africa and is classified by the World Bank as Lower middle income. (World Bank)
• Population: 5.3 million (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• GDP: US$12.6bn in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)

Economic conditions

• Real GDP growth: 3.6% in 2025 (estimate); the IMF projects 4.4% for 2026. (IMF WEO)
• Average consumer price inflation: 1.6% in 2025 (estimate); projected 8% for 2026. (IMF WEO)
• General government gross debt: 40.4% of GDP in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)
• Current account balance: -5.8% of GDP in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)
• Government net lending/borrowing: -0.3% of GDP in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)
• Official exchange rate averaged 36.49 local currency units per US dollar in 2023, against 36.06 in 2021: 1.2% more units per dollar (the currency weakened against the dollar). (World Bank WDI)

Key risks

• Partner risk indices (0-100, higher = higher risk), as of 8 Nov 2026: Country Risk Index 58.2 (rank 27 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Political Risk Index 52.9 (rank 31 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Short-Term Economic Risk Index 51 (rank 14 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Long-Term Economic Risk Index 56.7 (rank 26 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Operational Risk Index 68 (rank 35 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk). (Partner Research Partner)
• Highest-scoring Partner risk component: logistics risk (77.2, operational). (Partner Research Partner)
• World Bank governance scores (2025, 0-100, higher is better): control of corruption 29; government effectiveness 37; political stability and absence of violence 54; rule of law 45; regulatory quality 43. (World Bank WGI)
• External debt stocks: 39.6% of GNI (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Unemployment (modelled ILO estimate): 10.3% of labour force (2025). (World Bank WDI)

Investment considerations

• Foreign direct investment, net inflows: 5.4% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Domestic credit to the private sector: 22.7% of GDP (2019). (World Bank WDI)
• Bank lending interest rate: 17% (2017). (World Bank WDI)
• Trade (exports plus imports): 94% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• The Meridian holds 85 published records tagged to Mauritania. (The Meridian)

Sector snapshot

• Energy and power: access to electricity 52.2% of population (2024); renewable share of final energy consumption 19.6% (2022). (World Bank WDI)
• Mining and minerals: mineral rents 9.6% of GDP (2021); ores and metals exports 33.7% of merchandise exports (2024). (World Bank WDI)
• Financial services: foreign direct investment, net inflows 5.4% of GDP (2025); bank lending interest rate 17% (2017). (World Bank WDI)
• Technology, media and telecoms: internet users 45.8% of population (2024); mobile subscriptions 92.1 per 100 people (2024). (World Bank WDI)
• Agriculture: agriculture, forestry and fishing, value added 20% of GDP (2025); employment in agriculture 32.1% of employment (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Manufacturing and industry: manufacturing, value added 4.6% of GDP (2025); industry (including construction), value added 29.7% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Infrastructure and real estate: urban population 61.5% of population (2025); access to electricity 52.2% of population (2024). (World Bank WDI)

Data limitations and sources

• Older data, shown with its period and not described as current: Official exchange rate (period average) (Latest published value is for 2023); Bank lending interest rate (Latest published value is for 2017); Domestic credit to the private sector (Latest published value is for 2019); Renewable share of final energy consumption (Latest published value is for 2022); Oil rents (Latest published value is for 2021); Mineral rents (Latest published value is for 2021).
• IMF figures for the most recent year are IMF estimates and later years are projections. World Bank series typically lag by one to two years. Headlines come from automated news monitoring and are not verified by The Meridian.
• Sources last checked 15 Nov 2026.

Meridian transactions

• Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project: Senegalese counsel to the sponsors
• Africa Finance Corporation US$2bn syndicated term loan (26 lenders): Nigerian counsel to the lenders
• Solar Industries India acquires Omnia Holdings for R21.8 billion
• IFC invests USD 15 million in Grands Hôtels de Mauritanie SA (GHM)
• SAAR Assurance acquires majority stake in Mauritanian Insurance and Reinsurance Company (CAR)
• Barclays, Commerzbank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, FirstRand and partners invest USD 2 billion in Africa Finance Corporation