The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group has approved $135.6 million (€116.6 million) in financing for the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to support strategic development projects in the health and energy sectors.
The agreements were signed in Jeddah by Abdallahi Ould Souleymane Ould Cheikh Sidiya, Mauritania’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Development, in partnership with the IsDB Group.
Major investment in healthcare infrastructure
The first agreement, valued at $71.4 million (€61.4 million), will finance the construction and equipping of an integrated referral hospital for maternal, neonatal, and child health in Nouakchott, the country’s capital.
The project is expected to significantly strengthen Mauritania’s healthcare system by expanding access to specialized medical services for mothers and children.
Authorities said that the new facility will help reduce maternal and infant mortality rates while improving the quality of care through modern infrastructure and medical equipment that meets international healthcare standards.
Officials described the project as a major step forward for the national health sector, providing specialized services that will directly benefit citizens and support broader public health objectives.
Regional Energy Integration
The second financing agreement, worth $64.2 million (€55.2 million), will support a project to interconnect the electricity grids of Mauritania and Mali, enhancing regional energy cooperation and supply stability.
The initiative includes the development of solar power stations connected to the grid, allowing both countries to expand their use of renewable energy sources while improving electricity availability.
The project is expected to contribute to regional economic integration, strengthen energy security, and support Mauritania’s broader strategy to transition toward cleaner and more sustainable power generation while reducing electricity production costs.
Image courtesy: Islamic Development Bank | Cropped by GBN
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Minister Abdallahi Ould Souleymane Ould Cheikh Sidiya noted that the agreements represent another milestone in the longstanding partnership between Mauritania and the Islamic Development Bank.
Mauritania joined the IsDB as a founding member in 1974, and cooperation between the two institutions has supported a wide range of development initiatives across key sectors.
The signing ceremony followed a high-level meeting between the Mauritanian delegation and the IsDB’s Vice President for Operations. The meeting included senior officials such as Mohamed Lemine Ould Dhehbi, Governor of the Central Bank of Mauritania, and Mokhtar Ould Dahi, Mauritania’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Discussions focused on the portfolio of major projects currently underway and explored opportunities to expand cooperation under development programs covering the 2024–2026 and 2026–2030 periods.
Both sides also reviewed initiatives aimed at strengthening Islamic finance, supporting local banking institutions, and promoting public-private partnership (PPP) projects.
