Madar (Nouakchott) - Prime Minister El Moctar Ould Djay said on Sunday, October 18, 2026, that Mauritania's debt is going through "its best period", in a statement to the press at the end of a two-day tour of public service projects in Nouakchott.
He said external debt stands at about 32%, and that fewer than 15 of Africa's roughly 53 countries are in a better position than Mauritania, data he said could be verified.
Responding to concerns about the burden of loans on future generations, he said the projects are financed by both loans and state resources, and that about 80 billion ouguiya of the financing for the projects he visited had been mobilised locally, including a 74-billion sanitation project and a water project in the north worth about 7 billion, both funded by the state.
The second day of the tour focused on water and sanitation, with a programme including the rehabilitation of the Batch and Taazour reservoirs, the North Pole water station, the Pole A sanitation project and the Idini extension project station.
Ould Djay urged elites and the public to support development projects and trust Mauritanian youth, curbing what he called discourse that "breaks hope" and sweeping accusations, while acknowledging the hardship of some citizens and unemployment among young people and graduates.
He cited one ongoing project providing more than 1,000 jobs for Mauritanians, adding that highlighting achievements does not mean keeping quiet about shortcomings, and calling for continued pressure on the government.
The Prime Minister devoted the first day of the tour on Saturday to health and sports facilities, announcing new deadlines and the termination of delayed contracts.
