A major financing package of US$275 million has been signed by the African Development Bank and EIB Global to modernise Mauritania’s primary railway corridor linking the iron ore hub of Zouerate with the Atlantic port of Nouadhibou. The investment, guaranteed by the European Union, aims to strengthen Mauritania’s competitiveness, advance green growth, and deepen regional integration.
The funding comprises US$150 million from the African Development Bank and US$125 million from EIB Global, provided directly to the national mining company SNIM. This support will enable the rehabilitation of the existing railway line, the construction of 42 kilometres of new track connecting future mining areas, and the purchase of modern locomotives, wagons, and maintenance equipment. The project aligns with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and Mauritania’s industrial development priorities, reinforcing the country’s position in global value chains.
SNIM, Mauritania’s largest employer and a central pillar of the national economy, will lead implementation. The upgraded corridor is expected to boost transport capacity, reduce fuel use, and improve safety and reliability. According to SNIM’s CEO, the initiative is essential for achieving the company’s production goals and modernising its logistics chain, supported by sustained partnerships with EIB Global and the African Development Bank.
Leaders from both institutions highlighted the project’s strategic importance. The AfDB described the financing as a milestone that strengthens private sector investment and enhances Mauritania’s industrial competitiveness. EIB Global emphasised the project’s role in boosting exports and supporting sustainable economic development, while EU representatives underlined its contribution to job creation, local growth, and stronger links between Mauritania and global markets.
The railway modernisation is also expected to create employment, improve regional connectivity, and build resilience to climate risks. As a flagship under the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, the operation supports sustainable infrastructure, responsible value chains, and environmentally conscious growth across Mauritania’s mining and transport sectors.
