The President of France welcomed Mauritania’s Head of State, Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, for a State visit at the Élysée Palace this Wednesday.
a strategic partnership in a shifting global landscape
A month ahead of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi on May 11–12, this visit underscores France’s commitment to deepening political, cultural, and economic ties with Mauritania. Upon arrival, both leaders addressed the press, highlighting the enduring friendship and shared vision between their nations.
key discussions and commitments
During the visit, the two Presidents engaged in bilateral talks covering regional and international issues, followed by a State dinner at the Élysée Palace.
a long-overdue reunion
This was the first high-level visit from Mauritania to France in over three decades—a milestone that reflects the growing importance of the bilateral relationship. The French President emphasized Mauritania’s pivotal role in a region facing severe instability, praising its commitment to stability, dialogue, and sovereignty.
He noted that Mauritania serves as a bridge between the Arab world and Africa, playing a stabilizing role in the Sahel. “Your leadership demonstrates that strategic independence and responsibility are not only possible but essential in these turbulent times,” he told President El Ghazouani.
shared challenges, shared solutions
Both nations reaffirmed their dedication to a rules-based international order, rejecting unilateralism and power imbalances. They stressed the importance of multilateralism in addressing global challenges, from climate change to maritime security, where Mauritania’s role in the economy bleue and France’s support in Brest were highlighted as key priorities.
The leaders also discussed economic cooperation, with France pledging to expand investments in Mauritania’s infrastructure, energy, and water sectors. Projects such as the Nouakchott container terminal—funded by Meridiam to the tune of €155 million—and a French-backed initiative by Razel-Bec to boost the capital’s water supply by 50% exemplify this commitment.
Additionally, France announced plans to hybridize ten thermal power plants with nearly €40 million in funding, reinforcing Mauritania’s energy resilience.
solidarity in times of retreat
In contrast to global trends of withdrawal, France has doubled its development portfolio in Mauritania over the past two years, particularly through the French Development Agency (AFD). This includes support for hosting over 300,000 refugees in eastern Mauritania, a testament to the country’s humanitarian leadership.
The French President commended Mauritania’s efforts, stating, “Your country is not alone. France stands with you—not just through words, but through action.”
youth, innovation, and a new chapter
The visit also symbolized a broader ambition: to reframe the France-Mauritania relationship as one of partnership, investment, and mutual growth. With a focus on youth employment and sustainable development, both leaders emphasized the need to harness Africa’s potential in the global economy.
“This is about writing a new chapter—one that is political, economic, and strategic, rooted in trust and shared responsibility,” the French President concluded.
15 April 2026
— Verbatim only
Full press statement from the visit of Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani
Ladies and Gentlemen, distinguished guests,
Thank you for being here today.
Mr. President, my dear friend,
It is an honor for France to host you in Paris for this State visit. Your presence sends a powerful signal—a signal of friendship, trust, and clarity in a world undergoing profound change. This visit, the first of its kind in over thirty years, comes at a moment when our shared responsibilities have never been greater.
Mauritania is a key partner for France—not only for its geography, straddling the Arab world and Africa, but for the values it upholds: stability, dialogue, and sovereignty. In a Sahel region plagued by instability, Mauritania stands out as a nation committed to strategic independence and responsible leadership. I want to salute your efforts, Mr. President, in the face of terrorism, trafficking, and external pressures seeking to undermine our nations.
Together, we champion a rules-based international order, one rooted in cooperation, mutual respect, and balance. Mauritania’s voice matters—in Africa, the Arab world, Europe, and global forums like La Francophonie. We share strong positions on pressing issues: climate action, ocean conservation, food security, and the need to rebalance global economic power to give Africa its rightful place.
This relationship must yield tangible results. Mauritania today is a land of opportunity. French businesses are already making an impact, creating jobs and investing in your future. Meridiam’s €155 million investment in Nouakchott’s container terminal, employing nearly 350 Mauritanians, is just one example. With nearly 40 French companies already supporting over 2,000 local jobs, we are ready to go further, faster, and with greater structure.
Our shared agenda includes critical infrastructure, energy, water, agriculture, and urban development—projects designed to build an economy that works for your youth. I am particularly pleased to highlight a French-backed initiative by Razel-Bec, supported by a concessional loan from the French Treasury, which will boost Nouakchott’s water supply by 50%. Likewise, the hybridization of ten thermal power plants, funded with nearly €40 million, will strengthen Mauritania’s energy resilience.
At a time when many nations are turning inward, France chooses solidarity. While others have scaled back cooperation, we have doubled our project portfolio in Mauritania—especially through the AFD. This includes supporting your remarkable efforts to host over 300,000 refugees in the east of your country. I know the burden this places on your nation, and I commend your commitment.
The message is clear: Mauritania is not alone. France will remain present—through businesses, financing, and development tools. This spirit guides the upcoming business forum you will inaugurate.
Your visit to Brest to discuss the blue economy and maritime security, and our upcoming meeting in Nairobi for the Africa Forward Summit, reflect a larger ambition: to redefine the France-Mauritania relationship—and the relationship between France and Africa—as one rooted in investment, innovation, and shared responsibility.
We have a historic duty: not to be passive observers of global shifts, but to shape them. Our two nations are ready to do this together. Over the years, we have grown to know and trust each other. I have seen your determination, your courage in the toughest moments, and I am proud to welcome you today—with Madame la Première Dame, your ministers, and your delegation, my dear friend, Mr. President.
Mr. President, thank you for your trust, for your friendship toward France, and for the new pages we are writing together. Thank you.
