The increasing economic cooperation between Algeria and Mauritania is indicative of a broader trend in West Africa, where countries are seeking to enhance regional integration and trade.
Algeria's strategic investments in Mauritania, particularly in infrastructure and banking, suggest a long-term vision for economic expansion into West Africa.
The shared security challenges faced by Algeria and Mauritania highlight the need for collaborative approaches to combat extremism and organized crime in the Sahel region.
As economic ties deepen, Algeria may continue to expand its influence in West Africa, potentially leading to increased investments and trade partnerships with neighboring countries.
The ongoing security cooperation between Algeria and Mauritania could serve as a model for other countries in the Sahel region facing similar challenges.
Future developments in trade and security may prompt other nations in the region to strengthen their bilateral relations, fostering a more integrated West African economic community.
Algeria and Mauritania have been strengthening their economic and security cooperation, particularly since Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani took office in 2019. This has included multiple visits and agreements aimed at enhancing trade and addressing regional security challenges in the Sahara and Sahel regions. Recently, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune visited Nouakchott to participate in an African Union conference, marking the first visit by an Algerian president to Mauritania in decades. The two countries have seen a significant increase in trade, with exchanges rising from $50 million in 2018 to an expected $700 million in 2023, driven by a growing demand for Algerian goods in Mauritania.
The strategic road project between Tindouf, Algeria, and Zouerate, Mauritania, is a key infrastructure initiative aimed at facilitating trade and access to African markets. This $600 million project is expected to bolster economic ties and enhance Algeria's reach into West Africa. Additionally, Algeria has opened bank branches in several West African countries to facilitate trade and has engaged in barter trade with Mauritania, Mali, and Niger.
On the security front, both countries face challenges from armed groups and organized crime along their shared border, which is also adjacent to the volatile Sahel region. Recent military cooperation has included joint efforts to combat extremism and organized crime, with high-level meetings between military leaders from both nations. This cooperation is seen as essential for maintaining stability in the region and controlling cross-border threats.
