- AfDB and EIB commit US$275m to upgrade Mauritania’s mining railway
- Investment aims to boost iron ore transport and expand SNIM’s operations
- Project includes 42 km railway extension and new locomotives
The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have signed a landmark US$275 million financing agreement to upgrade and expand Mauritania’s key mining railway corridor, a development expected to significantly boost the nation’s iron ore output and export capacity.
Announced during the African Investment Forum Market Days in Rabat, the deal allocates US$150 million from AfDB and US$125 million from EIB to support the major investment programme of La Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière (SNIM), Mauritania’s largest employer and a major force in Africa’s mining industry.
AfDB President Dr. Sidi Ould Tah described the project as “a new chapter” in the Bank’s 45-year relationship with SNIM, highlighting that the investment will enhance Mauritania’s logistical backbone and global competitiveness.
According to Dr. Tah, the funding will rehabilitate existing rail infrastructure, extend the network to new mining zones, and equip SNIM with modern locomotives and maintenance systems. This upgrade is expected to raise logistical capacity by 20 million tonnes per year, positioning SNIM as a leading player on the continent.
The initiative aligns with AfDB’s goals of strengthening the private sector, creating jobs, and building climate-resilient infrastructure.
EU Ambassador to Morocco, H.E. Dimiter Tzantchev, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to Mauritania under the Global Gateway Strategy, noting that the project will modernise iron ore transport and enhance the value of the country’s mineral industry.
EIB Global Director General Andrew McDowell highlighted the Bank’s long-standing collaboration with Mauritania, dating back to 1968, and emphasised its support for projects that advance regional connectivity and economic integration.
Mauritania’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Development, H.E. Abdallahi Ould Souleymane Ould Cheikh Sidiya, praised the investment, noting that the works include extending the railway by 42 kilometres, acquiring new rolling stock, and improving maintenance facilities—measures that will enable an additional 22 million tonnes of ore to be transported annually.
SNIM CEO Mohamed Vall Mohamed Telmidy expressed appreciation to AfDB and EIB, calling the project “structural and transformative” for Mauritania’s economy and a crucial pillar of SNIM’s long-term strategy.
The financing package is expected to accelerate Mauritania’s industrial growth, create employment opportunities, and reinforce the country’s position as a major iron ore exporter, while supporting global goals for sustainable and climate-resilient development.
