Mauritania marks World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2026

The Minister of Trade and Tourism, and Acting Minister of Digital Transformation and Administrative Modernization, Ms. Zainab Ahmednah, chaired the celebrations marking World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2026, held in Nouakchott on Tuesday.

In her address on the occasion, the Minister stressed that celebrating this day offers an important opportunity to underscore the vital role of communications and technology in national development. She noted that it also provides a platform to reflect on the significant progress Mauritania has achieved in digital transformation, which she described as a key pillar in building a modern, efficient administration that remains close to citizens.

She added that Mauritania is currently experiencing rapid digital advancement driven by the strategic vision of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani. According to the Minister, the President has made the modernization of public administration, the enhancement of public services, the strengthening of institutional performance, and broader access to technology central priorities within his national development agenda aimed at promoting equity and balanced growth.

The Minister further explained that digital transformation has become a fundamental indicator of a nation’s progress and its capacity to reinforce economic and institutional sovereignty, improve governance, and strengthen public trust in state institutions. She emphasized that the achievements recorded in recent years reflect a clear political commitment and a strategic choice to ensure Mauritania keeps pace with global digital developments.

She revealed that internet penetration in Mauritania has surpassed 80%, while 4G coverage now reaches 86% of the population. In addition, the country’s fiber-optic network has expanded to more than 9,100 kilometers, and international internet capacity has increased to over 500 gigabits per second.

For his part, the Chairman of the National Regulatory Council, Mr. Ahmed Ould Mohamedou, stated that the commemoration of this day highlights the remarkable progress made in the telecommunications sector, as well as the collaborative efforts of the government, the regulatory authority, and telecom operators to strengthen digital infrastructure and improve service quality.

He pointed out that the authorities had recently granted four licenses for the deployment and operation of 5G networks and services in Mauritania. He described this step as a strategic move aimed at enhancing national network capabilities and enabling innovative digital applications that support economic growth and public service development.

Meanwhile, the Director of Mauritel, Mr. Babe Ahmed Mohamed, affirmed that service quality assessment campaigns conducted under the supervision of the regulatory authority would demonstrate the effectiveness of a model based on responsible regulation, sustained investment, and continuous improvement of services offered to citizens.

The Director of Rimatel, Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Ould Abdel Rahman, emphasized that 5G technology represents a gateway to future technologies, including artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things, and cloud computing. He stated that it would form the backbone of an integrated digital ecosystem capable of opening broad horizons for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Similarly, the Director of Mattel, Mr. Elias Sassin, explained that the launch of 5G services would deliver ultra-fast internet speeds exceeding 2 gigabits per second, thereby enhancing the quality of digital services and significantly improving user experience.

The Director of the Information and Communications Network at Chinguitel, Mr. Beshir El Mounir, also stressed that 5G is not merely an improvement in internet speed, but rather a cornerstone of the future economy due to the promising opportunities it offers in areas such as distance learning, digital healthcare, smart cities, and support for innovation and entrepreneurship.

The ceremony also included the reading of a message from the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union, delivered by Mr. Ahmed Lehbib Ebnou, Assistant Director for Administrative Modernization and Head of Monitoring and Evaluation at the Organizing Committee for World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.