World Bank Grants Mauritania 5.5 Billion Ouguiyas

Mauritania and the World Bank Group signed three financing agreements on Monday in the form of grants. They are intended to support the national effort, in the sectors of Health, Energy, and Employment.

The global envelope granted by the International Development Association (IDA) amounts to 145 million US dollars, or 5.25 billion ouguiyas. Thanks to these funds, three large-scale projects will be deployed.

According to the Minister of Economic Affairs and Promotion of Productive Sectors, Mr. Ousmane Mamoudou Kane, the three donations testify to the quality of the fruitful cooperation between Mauritania and the World Bank Group.

Regarding projects, he said the first aims to increase access to electricity and strengthen the share of renewable energy. Thus, the amount of US $ 90 million allocated to it will specifically allow the connection of around 68,000 new households located in rural and peri-urban areas. In addition, there is the electrification of new localities, thanks to the three substations (Boghe, Kaedi and Selibabi) of the OMVS.

As for the second project, worth 40 million US dollars, it promotes the employability of young people, through the promotion of entrepreneurship and the financing of income-generating activities (IGA), according to the minister.

The project will also build the capacities of Taazour, the National Institute for Technical and Vocational Training, and the National Employment Agency.

The third project, which is of the order of US $ 15 million, is dedicated to the fight against COVID-19. According to the minister, it aims to strengthen information systems, improve screening, vaccine deployment, and the provision of laboratory equipment, among others.

In turn, the Resident Representative of the World Bank in Mauritania, Ms. Cristina Isabel Panasco Santos, underlined that the fiscal year which has just passed marks a record year in the support of the World Bank to Mauritania. She added that 7 projects have been approved for a total amount of US $ 325 million.

Reviewing the three projects, she congratulated the authorities for the efforts made to vaccinate the population against COVID-19, believing that the current rate of 6% is still low.

In addition, she stressed that the response against the pandemic also involves rebuilding the economy and supporting the development of human capital, hence the other projects that support the employability of young people and access to electricity.

Finally, she encouraged the acceleration of the implementation of programs to ensure economic and social recovery as soon as possible.