Introduction

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the sovereignty of Mauritania using the methodology of the Burke Institute. Sovereignty is assessed in 7 areas: political, economic, technological, informational, cultural, cognitive and military. Each aspect is assessed on the basis of official data from international and national sources (UN, World Bank, UNESCO, IMF, ITU, FAO, SIPRI, PISA, etc.) without using politicized indexes. The maximum score in each direction is 100; the sum (up to 700) is the accumulated Sovereignty Index (Burke Index).

To adapt and adjust statistical parameters, an international expert survey was conducted for each of the seven components using a single questionnaire of 10 questions with a 10-point scale and one open-ended question. In total, at least 100 experts from 50+ countries were interviewed for each indicator, taking into account geographical representation and specialization. When calculating and analyzing the data, equalizing coefficients were used, bringing all data to a scale of 0-10 points.

The final index value is the arithmetic mean between statistical data and expert estimates.

Below is an analysis in each area, a summary table and the main conclusions about the specifics of Mauritania's sovereignty.

Political sovereignty — 24.4

Mauritania is an active member of the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS (observer), the Arab League, the Maghreb Union, the OIC, WAEMU/UEMOA, an EU partner (Act of the 2024 Agreement), has accepted all nine basic UN human rights treaties, and is a participant in most regional and special UN missions.

All international treaties ratified by Mauritania take precedence over the laws of the country under the Constitution (Article 80); disputes involving the supremacy of international agreements are resolved in favor of international law. At the same time, reservations on family law and Sharia apply.

Political stability is higher than in other Sahel countries; WGI index ~-0.5 (2023), the country has maintained continuity of power since 2019, regular peaceful elections, low levels of violence, terrorist attacks and protests since 2011. WGI (2024): -0.34 (below the global average, above the African average); there are disruptions in the implementation of public services, corruption, but there is steady progress in managing the economy and infrastructure. EGDI (2022-2024): 0.46 — above the average for West Africa; there are state portals for tax, registers, trade and education.

Internet coverage and e-gov practices are concentrated in cities. President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani (since 2019, re-elected in 2024) maintains popularity due to stability and reconciliation policies, the opposition and the media operate in a moderately limited mode, but electoral confidence and polls show high confidence, especially compared to neighbors.

Since 2020, there have been no permanent foreign military bases/structures; there is a temporary French and European military contingent, but they do not have official bases, but they stay according to rotational and operational schemes (antiterrorism, logistics), there is no direct military infrastructure of NATO or the Russian Federation.

Mauritania participates in international and regional courts (the International Court of Justice, the African Court of Justice, the ECOWAS courts, the UN bodies), all ratified courts act as supreme for the country in the absence of conflict with Sharia. Decentralization is enshrined in the Constitution: there are municipal and regional councils, but strategic decisions (army, finance, courts, security) are fully controlled by the executive branch and the President.

The reforms of 2020-2024 have strengthened the supervision of the parliamentary commission and the Ombudsman, but key law enforcement agencies (intelligence, army, police) still operate behind closed doors with limited independent control, there are cases of pressure on the opposition, journalists, and restrictions on protests.

Data completeness assessment: the main indicators are available from international sources, the coverage is 89%.

Economic sovereignty — 22.6

GDP per capita (PPP) in 2024 is USD 6.397, the forecast for 2025 is USD 6.685 (PPP); this is about 36% of the global average. Total gold and foreign exchange reserves (incl. gold) — USD 2.04 billion (last updated: end of 2021; the increase in 2022-2024 is estimated to be insignificant).

The national debt is 41.6% of GDP (forecast for the end of 2025), an absolute decrease after restructuring in 2017-2018. 12% of the population (0.6 million people) are exposed to acute food insecurity in the "lean season" (2025), only 0.4% of the territory is arable land; the country receives WFP assistance, is dependent on grain imports and humanitarian programs. The country is building a model based on gas (GTA) and green hydrogen capacities, introducing IPP models; in 2024, energy supply covers 57% of the population, autonomy is growing, and the goal is to fully cover and grow its own generation through gas and renewable energy by 2030.

Main products: iron ore (Zuerat), gold, copper (Akzhud), phosphates (Tiris-Zemmur), gypsum (Tijija), oil and gas (GTA, BirAllah), fish and seafood; the country is a key exporter of iron and fish in the region. Annual renewable resources are estimated at 11.1 km3 (most of them are Senegal and tributaries, with their own generation of ~0.1 km3). There is a shortage of water outside the Senegal Valley, and the development of irrigated and "deep" agriculture is limited.

A national processing center (National Switch) has been introduced, real-time transfer and interbank card integration have been provided since 2023. The reach of mobile and e-banking services is rapidly expanding. All internal payments are made in MRU, while foreign trade and large-scale payments are mainly in USD/EUR. The actual share of MRU in cross-border settlements does not exceed 15-20%.

The Central Bank of Mauritania (Banque Centrale de Mauritanie) issues and forms an independent monetary policy, including operations to maintain MRU, control interest rates and discretionary supervision of the credit sector.

Data completeness assessment: the main macroeconomic indicators are available from official sources (World Bank, IMF), coverage is 85%

Technological sovereignty — 10.4

In 2024, spending on research and development amounted to 0% of GDP, reflecting the extremely low level of support for science and technology. The strategy provides for an increase in this indicator to 0.3–0.6% of GDP by 2026, but so far the real share remains zero.

There is no import substitution in the high-tech sector: the vast majority of equipment and solutions, including computing, telecommunications equipment, and even basic infrastructure, are implemented solely through imports. Own production is poorly developed. The gross higher education enrollment rate is only 5.95% (2020), which is one of the lowest rates in Africa. Most young people do not have access to universities or go abroad.

At the beginning of 2024, the Internet penetration rate is 44.4% of residents (2.19 million users). The remaining 55.6% of the population do not have access. Mobile connections are equal to 129.6% of the population — many use two SIM cards. In 2025, the Government of Mauritania announced the launch of a national digital platform for the integration of public services, including insurance and other services.

Online services are just beginning to function, while new departments are being tested and connected. Import dependence is critically high: almost the entire high—tech sector uses imported solutions in telecommunications, household appliances, software, and components. There are no national manufacturers of high-level equipment or software.

In 2024, Mauritania ranks 165th in the EGDI global ranking and scored 0.349 points (on a scale of 0-1), well behind the African average of 0.42.

Digitalization of public services is in its early stages, pilot online services have been launched, and a national data center is being built. There are no proprietary biotechnological solutions, and there is no autonomy. The country implements only epidemiological programs for the control of infections and zoonotic diseases based on imported equipment and international assistance.

The robotics sector is practically not represented. There are no robotics programs in the national strategy, no use of robots in industry or agriculture has been detected, and there is no autonomy. There is no production of microchips, chips, or any digital component in the country — all microelectronics are imported, and there are no national programs to develop their own production.

Data completeness assessment: key indicators are obtained from WIPO, ITU, UNESCO, which provides 82% coverage.

Information sovereignty — 18.7

Mauritania ranks 13th among Arab countries in the ITU index with a score of 0.147 (2022-2024), indicating an extremely low level of cybersecurity systems development. There is no national CERT, special structures operate sporadically within the framework of the Ministry of Digital Technologies.

In the spring of 2025, the second national IXP was opened as part of the digital transformation strategy; cheaper access and traffic localization are stated goals. The main RIMIX node has been operating since 2016. The share of Internet users in 2024 is 44.4%, mobile penetration is 79.1%.

Mauritania has a wide range of media in Arabic (public and private), French, as well as national languages: Hassanya, Pulaar, Soninké, Wolof (for example, La Voix du Littoral, radio and TV). Access to digital platforms depends on BigTech infrastructure; there are no proprietary cloud, search, or social network solutions, and the country is extremely dependent on Facebook, Google, WhatsApp, etc.

In 2025, a national data center was launched as a first step towards reducing dependence, but no significant systemic alternatives to Western platforms have been created. The share of local media content on TV and radio is about 60% (the main volume is news, culture, public projects), the remaining 40% is accounted for by external supplies and "network" retransmissions.

Since 2023, the Startup Act has been adopted to support local IT companies, and web projects, mobile applications, and e-commerce are being developed. There are local developers, but there are no large platforms or software, and the projects are mostly small and niche. At the beginning of 2024, Internet penetration is 44.4% (2.19 million people), the main services cover only large cities, and the share of connectivity in rural areas is minimal.

In May 2025, the first Tier 3 national data center in Nouakchott was launched, supported by the EU and EIB; it solves the tasks of storage, security and digital sovereignty for the state and the main part of banks/businesses. All major mobile operators are national (Mauritel, Mattel, Chinguitel), but the equipment is fully imported, there is no technological sovereignty. Regulation and control are carried out by the national regulator, the networks are based on international technologies.

In 2023, the reform of personal data legislation began: basic laws were adopted, a single regulator was formed, but GDPR standards were not respected, and most of the data was stored on a local data center and in foreign clouds.

Data completeness assessment: infrastructure indicators are available from ITU, CIRA, OECD, and specialized sources, with 85% coverage.

Cultural sovereignty — 51.9

In 2025, there are 2 UNESCO sites: the ancient settlements of Ouadan, Chinchetti, Tishit, Oualata (cultural site, 1996) and the Banque d'argin National Park (natural site, 1989). Mauritania participates in global cultural exchange through griot songs, epic poems, traditional crafts (weaving, leather), calligraphy, festivals, as well as culinary tradition and Arab-Berber heritage.

The country's contribution is growing through literary festivals, music exchanges, and joining global cultural projects. State and regional festivals with awards for music, literature and crafts are held annually. In 2025, the largest awards are the "Hidden Gems Festival", "Festival Culturel de Nouakchott", and the national award "Griot d'Or" for contributions to culture and art.

Traditions are formed from respect for elders, holidays (Eid, Maulid), rich musical heritage (tidinit, tbal), nomadic culture (imragen, fulbe), Mauryan clothing (bubu) and an extensive system of kinship relations. The State guarantees the protection of the cultural rights of small nations (Kharratin, Fulbe, Wolof, soninke, imragen).

Special support programs are being implemented in the field of education, access to medicine, property and legal rights. There are 14 large museums, more than 200 historical and archaeological sites in the country, more than 20 urban and rural festivals are held annually, the National Archive and the National Library operate. Since 2023, Mauritania has been an active participant in ICESCO, UNESCO, joint projects with Morocco and the EU (poetry festivals, Chequers nomination for global cultural lists, sabre poem "T'heydinn").

National brands (griot music, crafts, nomadic heritage) are protected by patent and copyright, special programs for the preservation of intangible heritage implemented with the support of UNESCO and ICESCO. The cuisine of Mauritania is characterized by a rich regional structure (gin, couscous, sweet green tea, seafood and camel meat dishes), mixed Arab-Berber, West African and French influences are noted.

Engagement is estimated by the number of participants in festivals and creative groups: at least 30-35% of the population attend cultural events annually (especially in large cities and during religious holidays).

Data completeness assessment: basic indicators are available in UNESCO and national statistics, coverage is 88%.

Cognitive sovereignty — 22.3

Mauritania's HDI is 0.563 (2023), 163rd in the world (UNDP 2025). This reflects a low level of development compared to the average African and global levels (0.744). In 2023, government spending on education amounted to 2.8% of GDP (11 billion MRU, which is 12% of the state budget). Adult literacy is 52.1% (men: 62.6%, women: 41.6%), youth (15-24) — 62.6%.

The data shows a noticeable gender gap. Mauritania does not participate in PISA tests; the results are not officially available in the OECD and PISA databases (data for 2023-2025). The share of STEM graduates among students is over 29% (UNESCO data for 2023).

The number of foreign (foreign) programs at universities is less than 4% of all academic disciplines; there are a number of French-speaking, Arabic and Moroccan joint projects, mainly in the field of medicine and engineering. The main minor languages are Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof, Zenaga-Berber, Tamasheq-Berber; their speakers are up to 25% of the population.

The State declares protection, but education and cultural rights are implemented unevenly; most of the curricula are conducted in Arabic and French. There are 8 government research centers in the field of fundamental sciences, including IMROP, CNRADA, CNERV, CNLA, etc.. Online education mainly covers government portals (Portail Éducation, e-Université), but the share of national platforms is below 15% of all educational content; the main part is foreign resources, especially in French universities.

There is a talent and personnel support program ("presidential grant", scholarships for the best graduates, competitive programs for young scientists), but their coverage is small — less than 2% of the number of students receive such support annually.

Data completeness assessment: education indicators are available in the UNDP, UNESCO, OECD, coverage is 89%.

Military sovereignty — 17.6

Defense spending in 2024 is 2.3% of GDP (260 million USD). Over the past five years, the share has been in the range of 2.2–2.9% of GDP, which is higher than the global average, but close to the indicators of other Sahel countries. The number of personnel of the Armed Forces is 18,000 (2024), 5,000 reservists, plus 10,000 military-civilian (gendarmerie and border service). The main fleet consists of Chinese and Soviet-made equipment and weapons, including WMA301 armored vehicles, Yitian-L air defense, BZK-005E attack UAVs, artillery and modern surveillance systems.

In 2023-2025, mobile and reconnaissance capabilities (airborne systems, drones, armored vehicles) were significantly updated. Mauritania is almost entirely dependent on foreign arms supplies (imports from China, the United Arab Emirates, France, and the United States). Exports of its own weapons are less than 0.2%, in 2022 it exported only $177 thousand (position — 49th exporter out of 76).

The borders are guarded by the army, gendarmerie, police and coast guard. In 2025, successful operations to intercept armed groups and contraband were noted. Coordination is underway within the framework of the G5 Sahel and through international instructors, high-precision intelligence is being used, and border controls have been tightened with the support of the EU and Spain.

The reserve — about 5,000 people, plus a mobilization reserve at the expense of civil defense and retirees, is able to quickly deploy in a crisis. Mauritania operates autonomously within the framework of a non-interference policy, strategically focuses on its own interests, but closely cooperates with the G5 Sahel, the EU, France, Morocco and the United States on regional security issues.

There are no important formal defense blocs (with the exception of the G5), and the review of allied ties took place in 2024-2025 to strengthen sovereignty. There is no own military industry — the assembly and repair of only small arms, motor vehicles and communications. All heavy weapons, armored vehicles, aircraft, and ships are exclusively imported.

Mauritania does not possess nuclear weapons, does not participate in nuclear programs, and all information on the number of warheads is "0". There is no military space or satellite intelligence. Intelligence capabilities are being developed based on the use of UAVs, electronic warfare and digital interception, portable systems and mobile complexes. Strategic partnerships with the EU, France and the USA for integrated intelligence and border monitoring. All parameters are reflected in the annual reports of SIPRI, UNODA, the Ministry of Defense, the official portals of state-owned companies (Embraer, IMBEL) and industry databases of UN/NGO - 90% coverage

Final Summary Table

The main conclusions

Strengths. Natural resources and exports: The key advantage is the proven reserves of iron ore, copper, gold, oil, gas, as well as the richest fish resources (one of the world leaders in the export of large fish and seafood).

Foreign economic relations and international partnerships: The country is integrated into regional, Islamic and African organizations, participates in major energy and infrastructure projects, and receives technical support and assistance for sector modernization.

Border and defense control: Effective control of the sea and land borders — alliances with the EU, France, the USA, Morocco; weapons upgrades, the introduction of modern UAVs, a fairly autonomous security policy. Growing energy potential: Large-scale LNG export and renewable energy development projects may make the country uncritically dependent on fuel imports by 2030.

Cultural and linguistic diversity: Mauritania carefully preserves its intangible heritage (music, poetry, crafts, traditions of small nations), has two UNESCO sites and developed cultural interaction in the Arab-African world. Financial and monetary sovereignty: its own central bank is functioning, a national payment system is provided (internal settlements are fully in MRU), e-banking and mobile wallet are being introduced.

Weaknesses. Low socio-economic indicators: HDI is below the African average, high poverty (up to 40%), low GDP per capita (PPP ~6,400 USD). Education and science lag behind: Adult literacy is 52%, access to higher education and STEM is extremely limited, the science-intensive sector and fundamental research are poorly developed. Technological and import dependence: Import dependence in almost all high-tech and IT, lack of national platforms, software and biotechnologies, extremely low level of digitalization of public services and electronic infrastructure.

Food and water security issues: Up to 12% of the population faces seasonal food shortages, a shortage of irrigated land and extremely limited fresh water supplies outside the Senegal Valley. Low military and technological autonomy: almost all weapons and key infrastructure are imported.

There is no national military industry, and there is no systematic strategy for the development of space and strategic technologies. Limited internal market and human capital: Most of the population is rural, youth unemployment is high, migration of specialists and a shortage of highly qualified personnel complicate the development of technology and the economy.

Overall assessment. The cumulative index of Mauritania's sovereignty is 168 out of 700 possible points (Extremely low — 24%), which places the country in the top 184th place in the world top. Mauritania has significant resource, infrastructural and geo-economic potential, a geostrategic position and a developing energy sector, but faces systemic weaknesses in human capital, education, technological independence and social development.

Overcoming these imbalances is the key to long-term sustainability and rising status in the region. The sovereignty profile indicates that Mauritania's sovereignty is based on natural and resource advantages, an independent foreign policy, a national financial system, and cultural identity.

The main risks are related to import dependence in technology, food and water security, limited human capital, and weak infrastructure in science and industry.