Germany and Mauritania agree to expand cooperation in economy and security

Economic opportunities in hydrogen and LNG

Concrete economic issues were also at the center of the talks. Wadephul pointed to potential in the production of green hydrogen and noted that Mauritanian LNG offers starting points for diversifying German energy imports. "Gerade in der Wirtschaft bestünden wechselseitige Chancen, die man in Europa noch nicht in dem Maße ergriffen habe, wie dies möglich wäre", said Wadephul. His Mauritanian counterpart also emphasized, "gerade in der Wirtschaft gebe es zahlreiche Chancen für beide Seiten".

Wadephul praised the security policy course of the Mauritanian government. "Wenn anderswo auf Eskalation, Zuspitzung und militärische Scheinerfolge gesetzt wird, dann setzt Mauretanien auf Deeskalation, Dialog und diplomatische Lösungen", he said. Mauritania is "eine wichtige Stimme der Besonnenheit, Mäßigung und Toleranz in der sonst fragilen Sahel-Region".

Mauritania's security policy role in the Sahel region

With around five million inhabitants, the country is comparatively small, but plays an important role as a anchor of stability in the Sahel region. Mauritania is rich in critical raw materials such as iron ore and has been producing liquefied natural gas together with Senegal since 2025. According to the German Foreign Minister, more than 300,000 people from Mali have found refuge in Mauritania.

Engagement against radicalization and terror

In the fight against Islamist radicalization, Wadephul visited the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Nouakchott. There he informed himself about programs for extremism prevention and deradicalization in the context of Islamist terror in the Sahel region. A special role is played by the so-called Mourchidates network with around 75 female religious leaders who advocate for a moderate Islam especially in the border regions with Mali.

Further stops on the trip

The trip will take Wadephul on to Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, and to South Africa. Accompanied by a business delegation, he aims to explore cooperation opportunities for German companies there. It is Wadephul's third trip to Africa this year: In January he traveled to Kenya and Ethiopia, and at the end of April to Morocco.

The visit to Nouakchott marks a diplomatic premiere for his new office: the last German Foreign Minister before Wadephul to visit Mauritania was Frank-Walter Steinmeier in November 2006. Wadephul only took up the office of Foreign Minister this year. With the current visit, Germany intends, according to its own statements, to place the already existing relations with the West African state on a broader basis.

According to both sides, the talks are to be continued. No concrete treaties or formal agreements were signed at the meeting; however, both sides spoke of a launch for deepened talks in the coming months. The German government regards Mauritania as a reliable partner in a region that is increasingly marked by instability and the advance of Islamist groups.