Madar (Nouakchott) - The Central Bank of Mauritania has raised its main policy rate by 50 basis points, from 6.75% to 7.25%, and increased banks' reserve requirement from 8% to 15%, tightening monetary policy against inflation that reached 9.3% in September 2026, according to a Monetary Policy Council statement reported by Sahara Medias.
The council said the decisions aim to contain inflationary pressure, anchor price-stability expectations and step up absorption of bank liquidity, noting that the real interest rate based on recorded inflation remains negative.
It expects the higher reserve requirement to raise funds frozen at banks by about 10.19 billion ouguiyas, from 11.64 billion to about 21.83 billion, assuming constant deposits, with the net liquidity effect depending on deposit trends and the recalibration of other instruments.
The council said inflation exceeded its earlier 8.2% forecast for September and showed signs of spreading beyond fresh produce and energy, with risks tilted to the upside. Both measures will be phased in and their joint effect assessed at the next meeting.
Earlier minutes of the council had called for tighter monetary conditions as inflation hit 9.3%, warning of excess bank liquidity.
The Sawab party, which is represented in parliament, warned on Monday about rising prices and falling purchasing power, saying successive rate rises from 6% in May 2026 to 7.25% reflect the scale of the challenge and criticising the effectiveness of the monetary measures, Sahara Medias reported.
