Mauritania Teams Up with GIZ to Draft National E-Commerce Framework

The Ministry of Digital Transformation, Innovation, and Modernization of Administration (MTNIMA)  inaugurated a national consultation workshop in Nouakchott to prepare Mauritania’s national e-commerce strategy. The initiative is being undertaken in cooperation with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

Mr. Khaled Wald Abedin Sidi, Secretary-General of MTNIMA, opened the workshop, affirming that the development of this strategy falls within the ministry’s mandate to support digital transformation across various government sectors. He highlighted the close coordination with the Ministry of Trade and Tourism, noting the joint committee that has been active since the inception of this effort, beginning with the implementation of the Mauritania e-commerce readiness study (e-Readiness). This study was prominently published during UNCTAD’s e-week in Geneva in December 2023.

The Secretary-General explained that this workshop represents a crucial step in preparing a strategy designed to integrate both classified and non-classified business activities into the national economic cycle. This aligns with the vision of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohammed Ibnud Sheikh Al-Ghazwani, which aims to build a robust digital economy, in accordance with directives from His Excellency the Prime Minister, Mr. Mokhtar Ould Djay.

In his remarks, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Mauritania, H.E. Mr. Florian Rendel, underscored the significant opportunities e-commerce presents for job creation, particularly benefiting women and youth, and for attracting investment in innovation.

The opening ceremony saw the attendance of the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Trade and Tourism, representatives from both public and private sectors, and a number of executives and officials from the relevant ministries. This workshop marks a key step in Mauritania’s journey towards a more inclusive and dynamic digital economy.