Mauritania is taking a bold step toward financial modernization with the announcement of a new stock exchange in its capital. The Central Bank of Mauritania and the Casablanca Stock Exchange have signed a strategic agreement to launch the Nouakchott Stock Exchange, a landmark initiative aimed at reshaping the country’s economic landscape and strengthening regional financial integration.
This joint effort reflects a broader ambition: to energize Mauritania’s economy while aligning its financial practices with international standards. Once launched, the Nouakchott exchange is expected to become a critical tool for channeling domestic savings, diversifying funding sources, and boosting the country’s appeal to foreign investors.
With nearly a century of experience behind it, the Casablanca Stock Exchange is set to play a key role in guiding the development of this new financial hub. Morocco’s main stock market will provide strategic, technical, and operational support to the Mauritanian authorities, with a strong focus on capacity building and knowledge transfer. Training programs and mentoring initiatives will ensure local actors are well-equipped to manage and grow the exchange.
The agreement outlines several core priorities: establishing a transparent and inclusive marketplace, educating local financial professionals, and fostering deeper South-South cooperation through the exchange of best practices and shared expertise.
The signing ceremony, held in Nouakchott, brought together key figures from both countries, including Mohamed-Lemine Dhehby, Governor of the Central Bank of Mauritania; Tarik Senhaji, CEO of the Casablanca Stock Exchange; and Morocco’s ambassador to Mauritania, Hamid Chabar. While the event was symbolic, it also marked a calculated step toward a broader strategic partnership.
This initiative comes as ties between Rabat and Nouakchott continue to deepen, fueled by a mutual desire among the countries’ leaders to strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors. For Mauritania, launching a stock exchange is part of a long-term strategy to build a resilient financial system capable of supporting ongoing economic transformation. For Morocco, it’s a chance to reinforce its position as a regional financial leader and a driver of development across the African continent.
The creation of the Nouakchott Stock Exchange stands as a milestone—not just for Mauritania’s economy, but also for regional integration. It reflects a shared vision: to harness the power of finance as a catalyst for long-term, sustainable growth.
