Since the publication of the Investment Policy Review (IPR) in 2009, the Government of Mauritania has adopted several reforms to improve the business environment. In particular, measures have been taken to strengthen the strategic, legal and institutional framework for investments and entrepreneurship, notably in terms of business establishment, taxation, governance and competition. An investment promotion agency was also put in place.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) has been steadily increasing in the country, mainly related to investments in the extractive sector. However, while this boosted the performance of Mauritania vis-à-vis regional comparators, economic growth remains moderate.

In this context, the Report on the implementation of the IPR of Mauritania aims at further supporting and strengthening the efforts made by the Government with a view to assist the country in achieving its national development objectives and the Sustainable Development Goals. In addition to analysing the strategic, legal and institutional framework for investment, it also suggests concrete recommendations to increase the benefits of the investment-specific legal framework of the country, at the national and international levels, as well as several other measures in terms of business establishment, labour, intellectual property, access to land, taxation, competition and governance. It also highlights the role of statistics and proposes ways to further enhance the activities of the investment promotion agency.