🌍 Mauritania's Energy Leap: The Minister's Bold Investment Drive at MSGBC 2025
The energy world is shifting, and the West African nation of Mauritania is stepping into the spotlight as a major player. This is not just about finding new oil and gas; it's about a national transformation powered by ambitious projects in both fossil fuels and cutting-edge green hydrogen. The key moment for this bold drive is the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 Conference & Exhibition in Dakar, Senegal, where H.E. Mohamed Ould Khaled, Mauritania’s Minister of Energy and Petroleum, will be leading the charge for investment.
💡 Easy Reading Introduction: A New Energy Giant Awakens
Imagine a country suddenly finding two huge gold mines: one filled with natural gas and the other with endless sunshine and wind, perfect for making clean, futuristic fuel. That's essentially what is happening in Mauritania right now.
For decades, Mauritania, a nation located in Northwest Africa, has been known for its mineral exports like iron ore and its rich fishing waters. However, recent massive offshore discoveries of natural gas—and the realization of its incredible potential for green hydrogen production—have made it one of the most exciting new energy frontiers in the world.
The upcoming MSGBC 2025 conference in Dakar is where Mauritania will officially invite the world to join this revolution. Minister Mohamed Ould Khaled’s participation is a clear signal: Mauritania is open for business and ready to showcase projects that promise to reshape its economy and secure its place on the global energy map.
🎯 Purpose: Why the Minister is Headed to Dakar
Minister Ould Khaled’s presence at MSGBC 2025 is a crucial part of Mauritania’s "bold investment drive." The core purpose is to leverage this high-profile regional platform to achieve several strategic goals:
- Attract Global Capital: The main objective is to secure the billions of dollars needed to move major energy projects from the drawing board to full operation. The Minister will be presenting a portfolio of hydrocarbon and renewable energy opportunities to a captive audience of international investors, energy majors, and financial institutions.
- Showcase Project Milestones: The Minister’s speech will highlight the country’s recent successes, which prove the viability of large-scale investments. These milestones build investor confidence by demonstrating that Mauritania can successfully execute complex energy projects.
- Drive Regional Collaboration: The MSGBC conference, which covers the Mauritania-Senegal-Gambia-Guinea-Bissau-Guinea-Conakry basin, is the ultimate stage for regional synergy. Mauritania seeks to strengthen partnerships with its neighbors, particularly Senegal, to ensure the mutual benefit and efficient development of shared resources.
- Establish a Clean Energy Hub: Beyond gas, the Minister will underscore Mauritania’s aggressive push to become a global leader in green hydrogen, a fuel crucial for the global energy transition.
🛠️ Solution: Mauritania’s Dual Energy Strategy
Natural Gas: Immediate Economic Game-Changers
The country is rapidly capitalizing on its immense offshore gas reserves, positioning itself as a key LNG exporter. The cornerstone project is the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas development, a monumental effort shared with Senegal.
GTA Phase 1 Launch: A landmark moment in 2025 was the export of the first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) cargo from the GTA project. Phase 1 is designed to produce about 2.3 million tons per annum (mtpa) of LNG, immediately marking Mauritania's emergence as an LNG exporter.
Powering the Nation: GTA gas is not just for export. It is vital for domestic growth. Mauritania is implementing measures to use this gas to expand its national electricity grid. This includes a tender for a 230 MW gas-fired power plant and two anticipated Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects that will contribute a combined 550 MW to the national grid. This reliable, domestic energy source is crucial for industrial expansion and mining growth.
BirAllah: The country is actively seeking partners to develop the colossal BirAllah project, estimated to hold up to 80 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas reserves. This field alone is being considered for an independent LNG hub, which would solidify Mauritania’s status as a top global gas producer.
Green Hydrogen: The Future Fuel Projects
Recognizing its vast desert and coastal areas—perfect for solar and wind energy—Mauritania has created a regulatory framework to facilitate one of the world's most ambitious green hydrogen programs. Green hydrogen is produced by using renewable electricity to split water, resulting in zero-emission fuel.
The AMAN Project: One of the world’s largest, the 30 GW AMAN Project is moving forward. It aims to produce up to 1.7 million tons of green hydrogen and 10 million tons of green ammonia annually, a significant amount of clean fuel for export.
Project Nour: Another major initiative, the 10 GW Project Nour, continues its feasibility phase, with an initial goal of producing approximately 150,000 tons of green hydrogen per year.
Further demonstrating its commitment, Mauritania has signed framework agreements for new green ammonia facilities and in 2025 revised its Investment Code to strengthen investor protections, reduce tax regimes, and provide enhanced incentives across the energy sector.
📈 Growth: The Long-Term Vision for Prosperity
Economic Transformation
The revenues generated from both LNG exports and future green hydrogen sales will provide the financial resources needed for massive national development. This is expected to:
- Fund Infrastructure: Revenues will allow for critical investments in roads, ports, and social services like healthcare and education.
- Support Industrialization: The newly secured domestic gas supply will provide cheap, reliable power, attracting new industries and fostering job creation, particularly in the manufacturing and mining sectors.
- Diversify the Economy: By becoming an LNG exporter and a green hydrogen hub, Mauritania significantly reduces its reliance on traditional exports like iron ore and fish, creating a more resilient and diversified national economy.
Regional and Global Influence
By participating in high-level forums like MSGBC 2025, Mauritania is not only attracting investors but also shaping the regional energy narrative. The nation is actively contributing to the overall energy security and transition of West Africa. The gas-to-power projects, particularly the IPPs, are key steps toward achieving universal electricity access and fulfilling the country’s commitments under the Mission 300 Energy Compact.
The MSGBC 2025 platform, where the Minister will engage with the world’s most influential energy leaders, is the epicenter for forging the partnerships required to realize this extraordinary potential. Mauritania is clearly signaling that its energy future—powered by both its vast gas wealth and its abundant renewable resources—is now. It’s a story of a nation harnessing its natural endowments to achieve a transformative and sustainable growth trajectory.
Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) Gas Project
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Ultra-deep waters on the maritime border between Mauritania and Senegal |
| Operator & Partners | Operated by BP, alongside Kosmos Energy, Petrosen, and SMH |
| Resource | Estimated recoverable gas resources of approximately 15 Tcf |
| Phase 1 Capacity | Expected to produce around 2.5 Mtpa of LNG |
| Infrastructure | Deepwater subsea system, FPSO vessel, FLNG facility |
| Timeline & Status | Gas flow begun; major ramp-up expected in 2025 |
| Economic Impact | Potential to triple Mauritania's GDP growth to ~14.3%; over $19 billion in revenues |
| Domestic Benefit | Some gas allocated for local use, boosting energy security |
🟢 AMAN Green Hydrogen Project
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Ultra-large-scale green hydrogen and ammonia production hub |
| Developer & Partner | CWP Global & Mauritanian government |
| Location | Northern desert and coastal regions |
| Renewable Capacity | Up to 30 GW of wind and solar energy |
| Annual Production Goal | Up to 1.7 Mt of green hydrogen & 10 Mt of green ammonia |
| Timeline & Status | In early development; long-term production target |
| Economic Impact | Potential GDP increase by 40-50% by 2030, unemployment reduction |
| Additional Benefits | Desalination plants for fresh water supply |
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