NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (BG) — Mauritania and the U.S.-based Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) have signed a $27 million threshold grant agreement to modernize the country’s electricity sector and enhance environmental resilience.
MCC Chief Executive Officer Alice Albright and Mauritania’s Minister of Economy and Finance Sid’ Ahmed Ould Bouh finalized the agreement on Tuesday.
The grant, announced in a statement by MCC, comprises two projects designed to address development needs and foster inclusive economic growth in Mauritania.
The Energy Project aims to help Mauritania achieve universal access to electricity by 2030, aligning closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.
SDG7 seeks to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030. By targeting universal electricity access and strengthening energy sector capacity, the project directly contributes to this global objective, fostering inclusive economic growth and sustainable development in Mauritania.
Energy and Resilience Projects
The project will enhance the capacity of energy sector stakeholders, enabling them to plan for new energy generation and transmission, operate the electricity grid more efficiently, and strengthen regulatory frameworks.
The Resilience Project focuses on improving Mauritania’s ability to plan, coordinate, and implement environmental resilience strategies.
“From enhancing Mauritania’s security, to supporting democratic development, to increasing energy and economic prosperity, the United States has remained steadfast in its support of Mauritania,” Albright said during the signing ceremony.
“By investing and pursuing reforms in two critical areas – energy and environmental resilience – the MCC threshold program is poised to improve the lives of all Mauritanians and create a strong and lasting foundation on which the Government of Mauritania can build,” Albright added.
According to the statement, Mauritania was first selected for MCC’s threshold program assistance in 2022.
The selection was based on its progress in implementing reforms outlined in the MCC scorecard, including efforts to strengthen civil liberties and combat hereditary slavery and human trafficking.
MCC’s threshold programs provide grants focused on policy and institutional reforms in countries nearing eligibility for full MCC compact agreements.
Mauritania’s inclusion reflects its commitment to improving governance and human rights.
Founded in 2004, MCC is an independent U.S. government agency that provides time-limited grants to countries meeting rigorous standards for good governance, fighting corruption, and respecting democratic rights.
The newly signed agreement between MCC and Mauritania is expected to advance the country’s development goals while strengthening its energy and environmental sectors.
