Mauritania
Independent since 1958, the West African state of Mauritania borders with Western Sahara to the north, Algeria to the northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Senegal to the south and Mali to the east. The population is estimated to be 4.4 million, divided into six ethnic groups. The official language is Arabic.
Thanks to its off-centre geographical position in relation to the Sahel crisis, Mauritania today enjoys a good level of political stability. Despite this and the presence of natural and energy resources, the country has not yet achieved a sustained economic growth. Its proximity to Western Sahara to the north, combined with its economic potential, make Mauritania a key country in the geopolitical balances of the Broader Mediterranean region.
Trade between Italy and Mauritania is growing. Since 2018, Italian private companies have begun to explore business opportunities in the local market, and in 2020 the value of trade between the two countries increased by 12 percent. In 2021 the trade between the two countries reached $ 241,56 million. Italian exports to Mauritania mainly consist of agricultural and industrial machinery, while imports include energy and fish products. Italy has also launched a wide range of initiatives in the humanitarian sphere as well as in security cooperation.
Med-Or Foundation’s Memorandum of Understanding with the Islamic Republic of Mauritania will cover cooperation in higher education and cultural heritage conservation
The event, organized by Med-Or Foundation in collaboration with the Mauritanian Ministry of Culture and the Mauritanian Embassy in Italy, took place on Thursday 23 March in Rome at the MAXXI auditorium
| Head of state | Mohamed Cheikh El Ghazouani |
| Head of Government | Moctar Ould Djay |
| Institutional Form | Unitary semi-presidential Islamic republic |
| Capital | Nouakchott |
| Legislative Power | Unicameral Parliament or Barlamane (Narional Assembly or Al Jamiya Al Wataniya, 157 Members every 5 years) |
| Judicial Power | Supreme Court (divided into 7 Houses: 2 Civil Houses, 2 Labour Houses, 1 Commercial House, 1 Administrative House and 1 penal House. Each House has one President and two Councillors); Constitutional Council (6 Members) |
| Ambassador to Italy | Mohamed Mahmoud Dahi |
| Total Area kmq | 1.030.700 km2 |
| Land | 1.030.700 km2 |
| Weather | Desert, hot, dry and dusty |
| Natural resources | Iron, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil and fishing |
| Economic summary | The economy is based on the extractive industries, fishing, animal husbandry, agriculture, and services. Recent GDP growth depends on foreign investments in the mining and oil sectors; half the population depends on agriculture and livestock farming |
| GDP | $8.23 billion (Dec. 2021) |
| Pro-capite GDP (Purchasing power parity) | $1544 (Dec. 2021) |
| Exports | $3.7 billion (2020) |
| Export partner | China 33.9%, Switzerland 15.2%, Spain 8.27%, Canada 7.67%, Japan 5.66%, Italy 3.71% (2020) |
| Imports | $3.41 billion (2020) |
| Import partner | China 22.2%, France 7.93%, UAE 6.73%, Morocco 5.55%, Spain 4.68%, United States 3.96%, Brazil 3.3% (2020) |
| Trade With Italy | $ 241,56 million (2021) |
| Population | 4.161.925 (2022) |
| Population Growth | 1,99% (2022 est.) |
| Ethnicities | Black Mauri (Haratines) 40%, White Mauri (Beydane) 30%, Sub-Saharan Mauritanians (including Halpulaar, Fulani, Soninke, Wolof, Bambara ethnic groups) 30% |
| Languages | Arabic (official and national), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French |
| Religions | Muslim (official): 100% Islamic |
| Urbanization | 56,9 % (2022) |
| Literacy | 53.5% |
Independent since 1958, the West African state of Mauritania borders with Western Sahara to the north, Algeria to the northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Senegal to the south and Mali to the east. The population is estimated to be 4.4 million, divided into six ethnic groups. The official language is Arabic.
Thanks to its off-centre geographical position in relation to the Sahel crisis, Mauritania today enjoys a good level of political stability. Despite this and the presence of natural and energy resources, the country has not yet achieved a sustained economic growth. Its proximity to Western Sahara to the north, combined with its economic potential, make Mauritania a key country in the geopolitical balances of the Broader Mediterranean region.
Trade between Italy and Mauritania is growing. Since 2018, Italian private companies have begun to explore business opportunities in the local market, and in 2020 the value of trade between the two countries increased by 12 percent. In 2021 the trade between the two countries reached $ 241,56 million. Italian exports to Mauritania mainly consist of agricultural and industrial machinery, while imports include energy and fish products. Italy has also launched a wide range of initiatives in the humanitarian sphere as well as in security cooperation.
