Mauritanian government and the European Union (EU) have come together to accelerate the development of Mauritania’s green hydrogen sector.

This momentous collaboration was unveiled at the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, underscoring the shared commitment to fostering green energy and economic growth in Mauritania and beyond.

The partnership outlines several key objectives, which include:

Infrastructure Development: The initiative seeks to facilitate the creation of essential infrastructure within Mauritania that will enable the production, transportation, and commercialization of green energy.
Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship: A primary goal is to generate employment opportunities, particularly for the youth, while supporting the growth of the private sector and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Skills Enhancement: This includes a focus on technical and vocational training to equip the local workforce with the skills required by the hydrogen industry and its associated sectors.
Legal and Fiscal Framework: The partnership aims to streamline legal and fiscal regulations and enhance the business environment to make it more conducive for hydrogen development.

Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani expressed the belief that the large-scale development of green hydrogen could act as a catalyst for green economic growth, not only in Africa but also in Europe.

EU President Ursula Von der Leyen highlighted the abundant renewable energy potential in Mauritania, thanks to its ample sunlight and wind resources. She also affirmed the EU’s strong commitment to collaborating with Mauritania in becoming a hub for green hydrogen. Von der Leyen stated, “This is how Team Europe will contribute to the green transition of Mauritania, creating at the same time new opportunities for its people and businesses.”

Beyond the green hydrogen collaboration, the EU has laid out several other initiatives for Mauritania in 2023:

Sustainable Food Systems: A €13.7 million investment aims to promote sustainable food systems and enhance access to quality, affordable food by strengthening value chains and economic operators.
Blue Economy: A €10 million initiative is geared toward boosting Mauritania’s blue economy, particularly eco-friendly fishing systems and fisheries value chains. This project will also contribute to the construction of maritime infrastructures and enhance synergies with the EU-Mauritania Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement.

These efforts fall within the broader framework of the EU’s cooperation with Mauritania, which revolves around human development, transitioning to a green and blue economy, and governance reforms. The EU has committed €578 million to support these objectives between 2021 and 2024.

Furthermore, Mauritania is set to receive a financial boost from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to enhance its resilience to climate shocks. This support will encompass strengthening disaster risk management capabilities and accelerating the transition to cleaner energy sources. While economic growth is expected to slow in 2023, these initiatives offer hope for a more sustainable and resilient future for Mauritania.