President Ursula von der Leyen met with President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania during the 2025 Global Gateway Forum. The meeting reaffirmed the European Union’s strong partnership with Mauritania. The partnership will be further reinforced with an investment package of €269 million covering energy, transport, and budget support, reflecting the EU’s commitment to sustainable development, advancing the green transition, strengthening the health sector, and supporting migration management in Mauritania. 

The package: 

• Includes the extension of the 225 kV high-voltage Regional Transmission Corridor from Nouakchott to Kiffa, with the European Investment Bank as lead financier, which will expand electricity access to households, integrate renewable energy capacity, and connect Mauritania to regional electricity markets, supported by EUR 125 million.
• Supports the EIB-led Mauritania Railway Modernisation project of EUR 107 million, upgrading the 704 km railway linking Zouérate and Nouadhibou to enhance iron ore extraction and export, foster local industrial development, and facilitate future use of green hydrogen.
• Includes a EUR 37 million disbursement of a budget support action aimed at strengthening Mauritania’s green energy initiatives, universal health coverage, and migration and forced displacement. 

The EU–Mauritania partnership is grounded in shared priorities, including green energy and hydrogen, digital connectivity, fisheries, health, and migration management. Mauritania’s stability in the Sahel region and its recent progress in reducing irregular migration flows underscore the country’s strategic importance for Europe. 

These new investments build on the rapid implementation of the investment package announced in February 2024 during President von der Leyen’s visit to the country, which has already delivered tangible results in energy, migration, health, and security. Achievements include the development of green hydrogen infrastructure and technical education programs, the rollout of migration management systems and transit centres, support for refugees, and the reinforcement of the national voluntary health insurance mechanism. Security has been strengthened through new non-lethal equipment and infrastructure to improve border and maritime management.

Source: EU Commission