Mauritania Roundup: Green hydrogen deal advances, schools prepare for new term and 100,000 livestock targeted

Mauritania signs landmark agreement for Aman green hydrogen project

Mauritania has signed a comprehensive agreement with CWP Global to advance the Aman green hydrogen project, one of the country's largest planned renewable-energy developments. The agreement was signed in Nouakchott on September 16 by Energy and Petroleum Minister Mohamed Ould Khaled and CWP Global Chairman Mark Crandall. It establishes a long-term contractual framework for the project's next stages and sets out its fiscal, economic and development terms. Mauritania's Energy Ministry described it as the country's first Global Convention of its kind for a green hydrogen project. The scale is significant. Aman aims to eventually produce around 1.2 million tonnes of green hydrogen and 6.6 million tonnes of green ammonia annually, with potential uses in fertiliser production, food security and clean fuels. Authorities also see opportunities for green steel production and local processing of Mauritania's iron ore. The project dates to 2020, followed by a memorandum of understanding in 2021 and a framework agreement in 2022. It has now reached the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) stage, with CWP targeting a final investment decision before 2030.

Government reviews school readiness as new academic year approaches

Prime Minister El Moctar Ould Djay chaired a ministerial committee meeting on September 16 to assess preparations for the 2026–27 school year, focusing on classrooms, equipment, school furniture and teaching staff. The committee reviewed how far authorities had implemented decisions from its previous meeting and assessed whether schools had the infrastructure and human resources required for the new term. Officials reported notable progress in preparing classrooms, equipment and desks and in ensuring sufficient teaching staff. However, the review identified limited shortages in some specialities, which the government said it was addressing through measures already underway. The preparations form part of President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani's education agenda under his “My Ambition for the Homeland” programme. The government says improving learning conditions and education quality is a central priority. Staffing is particularly important because Mauritania is simultaneously recruiting more than 1,100 education workers to reinforce schools across the country's regions.

Training begins for 1,132 newly recruited contract teachers

Mauritania's Ministry of Education and Reform of the Education System has announced compulsory training for 1,132 successful candidates recruited as education service providers. The group consists of 891 primary-school teachers and 241 lower-secondary teachers. Their training is scheduled to run from September 21 to October 2, beginning at 8 a.m. each day. Primary teachers will train at Boys' High School No. 1, while secondary teachers will attend the Arabic High School. The ministry has made attendance compulsory and warned that absence will result in final exclusion. The recruitment process began earlier. The ministry announced the district-based competition in August, with applications open from August 20 to 25. The examination itself began on September 3. Ministry Secretary-General Sadafi Sidi Mohamed inspected several examination centres on the opening day and said he was satisfied with the organisation. He urged candidates to recognise the responsibility attached to teaching, describing the profession as a national mission requiring competence and dedication to pupils and the country.

Aoukar programme targets around 100,000 livestock in animal-health drive

Mauritania has launched the 2026 animal-health component of its Aoukar integrated livestock development programme, targeting around 100,000 head of livestock in the country's east. The programme was formally launched in the Dhar district on September 15 under the supervision of Hodh Charghi Governor Isselmou Ould Sidi. It forms part of the first phase of the integrated livestock-development programme for the Aoukar areas. The programme combines preventive and curative veterinary care for small and large ruminants. Veterinary agents will be trained and equipped with medicines, equipment and transport, while the programme will also support Mauritania's annual national vaccination campaign. The regional veterinary delegation in Hodh Charghi is coordinating implementation. Ould Sidi said the programme reflected the importance authorities place on livestock development and support for herders. Livestock is particularly important in rural Mauritania, making animal disease prevention directly relevant to household livelihoods and food security. The initiative is also intended to strengthen veterinary coverage in areas where herders may have limited access to animal-health services.

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Cabinet moves on digital harms and plans forum for Mauritanians abroad

Mauritania's Cabinet has approved two government statements dealing with protection from harms in the digital space and preparations for a forum bringing together Mauritanians living abroad. The decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani on September 16. The digital-protection initiative comes as the government gives greater attention to the risks associated with increased internet and social-media use. The Cabinet statement frames the issue around protecting people from harmful practices and content in the digital environment. The second statement concerns the organisation of a forum for Mauritanian communities abroad, providing a platform for the diaspora to engage with government institutions and discuss its role in the country's development. The Cabinet meeting also considered a series of appointments, including positions in the Higher Council for Education, Olympic Complex Authority, Higher Institute of Youth and Sports and National Higher Institute of Technical Education.