Mauritania: Economic and Political Overview
Mauritania is very open to international trade, which represents around 91% of its GDP (World Bank – latest data available). The government has taken steps to liberalize the economy, reduce trade barriers, and promote foreign investment. Mauritania has signed several trade agreements aimed at promoting trade and investment. These include the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to create a single market for goods and services across the continent, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which promotes economic integration among West African countries. The country has also signed bilateral trade agreements with several countries, including China and the United States. In 2023, mineral exports accounted for 75.1% of Mauritania’s total exports (EUR 2.5 billion), including 37.3% from gold (EUR 1.2 billion), 34.6% from iron (EUR 1.1 billion), and 3.1% from copper (EUR 107 million). Fishery products represented 19.7% of total exports (EUR 675 million – data France Ministry of Finance). As per imports, they were led by petroleum oils (34.4%), sugar (6.3%), wheat and meslin (4.6%), soya-bean oil (3.7%), and palm oil (3.2%).
In 2023, Canada was the primary destination for Mauritanian exports (24.4% of the total), followed by China (22.7%), Algeria (8.2%), Switzerland (7.4%), Spain (6.2%), and the United Arab Emirates (5.6%); whereas imports came from the United Arab Emirates (18.4%), Spain (12.8%), Belgium (10.8%), China (8.0%), and France (6.9% - data Comtrade). Canada is the largest importer of Mauritanian gold, with increased international prices and gold production explaining its significant position. Meanwhile, China imports nearly all of Mauritania's copper production, half of its iron production, and fishery products.
According to WTO, in 2023, Mauritania's exports reached USD 4 billion (up by 6.3% year-on-year), whereas imports stood at USD 5.2 billion, marking a 2.3% increase vis-à-vis one year earlier. As per services, Mauritania’s exports hit USD 209 million in 2023, whereas imports stood at USD 875 million. As per the World Bank’s estimates, the total external trade balance for goods and services was negative by 14.9% of GDP in 2023 (from 22.6% one year earlier). According to the same source, iron ore and fish exports increased by 15% and 43% year-on-year in the first half of 2024. Overall, real exports grew by 15% over the same period. It should also be noted that the first phase of the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) offshore gas project will start in mid-2025, boosting exports and supporting domestic power generation.
| Foreign Trade Values | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Imports of Goods (million USD) | 3,520 | 2,744 | 3,860 | 5,120 | 5,242 |
| Exports of Goods (million USD) | 2,266 | 2,829 | 3,267 | 3,778 | 4,017 |
| Imports of Services (million USD) | 793 | 796 | 793 | 943 | 0 |
| Exports of Services (million USD) | 205 | 193 | 267 | 307 | 0 |
Source: World Trade Organisation (WTO) ; Latest available data
| Foreign Trade Indicators | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) | 93.5 | 86.8 | 88.3 | 102.0 | 91.5 |
| Trade Balance (million USD) | -570 | -288 | -606 | -1,002 | -656 |
| Trade Balance (Including Service) (million USD) | -1,158 | -891 | -1,132 | -1,637 | -1,316 |
| Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 6.7 | 0.4 | -3.3 | 15.3 | -1.5 |
| Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 14.3 | -9.2 | -12.9 | 16.8 | 3.5 |
| Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 51.1 | 45.4 | 48.5 | 62.3 | 53.2 |
| Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 42.4 | 41.4 | 39.9 | 39.7 | 38.3 |
Source: World Bank ; Latest available data
| Foreign Trade Forecasts | 2024 | 2025 (e) | 2026 (e) | 2027 (e) | 2028 (e) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volume of exports of goods and services (Annual % change) | 3.1 | -6.9 | -0.5 | 3.8 | 10.1 |
| Volume of imports of goods and services (Annual % change) | 3.1 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 3.8 |
Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook ; Latest available data
Note: (e) Estimated Data
Mauritania is a member of the WTO (original member). It grants most-favored-nation treatment to the group of its commercial partners and has consolidated 41% of its tariff lines, that is to say the rates applied cannot be increased unless Mauritania compensates the affected partners. On the regional level, Mauritania is a part of the AMU (Arab Maghreb Union), the aim of which, to achieve free movement of persons, services, merchandise and capital, is for the moment only a project. Mauritania has also concluded bilateral trade agreements with Algeria, Egypt, Gambia, Mali, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, but the level of preference tariffs is yet to be established. Notably towards the European Union and the United States Mauritania benefits from preferential regime as part of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP).
| Main Customers (% of Exports) |
2023 |
| Canada | 24.4% |
| China | 22.7% |
| Algeria | 8.2% |
| Switzerland | 7.4% |
| Spain | 6.2% |
| See More Countries | 31.2% |
| Main Suppliers (% of Imports) |
2023 |
| United Arab Emirates | 18.4% |
| Spain | 12.8% |
| Belgium | 10.8% |
| China | 8.0% |
| France | 6.9% |
| See More Countries | 43.1% |
Source: Comtrade, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
Source: Comtrade, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
To go further, check out our service Import-Export Flows.
| 0.3 bn USD of services exported in 2022 | |
| 34.69% | |
| 34.21% | |
| 23.63% | |
| 3.37% | |
| 3.02% | |
| 0.70% | |
| 0.32% | |
| 0.04% | |
| 0.02% | |
| 0.9 bn USD of services imported in 2022 | |
| 49.68% | |
| 39.15% | |
| 5.55% | |
| 2.84% | |
| 2.52% | |
| 0.13% | |
| 0.07% | |
| 0.05% | |
| 0.01% | |
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, 2024. Because of rounding, the sum of the percentages may be smaller/greater than 100%.
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Latest Update: May 2025
