Morocco-Mauritania trade last year totaled 300 million U.S. dollars, up 58% compared to 2020.
This significant revival in the volume and value of trade exchanges enhances the position of the Kingdom as the primary supplier to the Mauritanian market at the African level, as Mauritanian imports from Morocco make up about half of its total imports from the continent overall, according to sources at the Moroccan embassy in Nouakchott.
These imports constitute more than 73% of Mauritania’s total imports from Maghreb countries. In terms of Moroccan exports to Mauritania, 80% consist of three categories and are related to food and agricultural products, manufactured goods, and transportation machinery and equipment.
Vegetables and fruits make up approximately 20% of the volume of these exports, and the growth is attributed to several factors including the geographical proximity between the two countries, the transactional expediency between Moroccan suppliers and their Mauritanian counterparts, and the high quality of logistical chains, along with the high quality and superior reputation of Moroccan products in the Mauritanian market.
The border crossing at Guerguerat between Morocco and Mauritania also played a significant role in facilitating the smooth flow of trade between the two countries, as road transport remains the most important mechanism whereby exchanges occur. Additionally, the border crossing which remained open to facilitate the movement of goods during the COVID-19 pandemic helped to sustain the volume of trade between the two countries in spite of the crisis.
In terms of investment, Morocco is the top financier in Mauritania at the African level in several sectors, including telecommunications, banking, fishery product processing and valorization, agriculture, cement production, building materials, and domestic gas distribution, as well as petroleum product distribution.