Business Tourism Boost: IFC committed up to $15m to expand Grands Hôtels de Mauritanie’s Sheraton Nouakchott Hotel, aiming to deepen Mauritania’s business-travel and conference capacity and support local suppliers. Inflation Watch: Mauritania’s consumer prices rose sharply in June 2026, with local goods up 1% in the month and annual inflation for local products hitting 10.2%, driven by big jumps in fish and red meat. Oil & Gas Moves: Murphy Oil and Chariot have applied for offshore exploration acreage in Mauritania, following recent industry pullbacks, as the government reviews new exploration and production contract options. Energy Infrastructure: The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline linking Nigeria to Morocco entered a new implementation phase, with Morocco’s segment pegged at a $25bn investment and a receiving setup designed to take offshore gas from Mauritania. Regional Connectivity: The Via Africa submarine cable system plans to connect Europe to Africa along the Atlantic coast, with landing points including Mauritania and partners spanning telecom and digital investors. Food & Local Industry: SIG and Enazaha expanded Mauritania’s dairy production by adding a third aseptic filling line, targeting reduced reliance on imported dairy. Policy & Trade Context: Morocco reopened onion exports to African markets, but kept tomatoes and potatoes restricted, while Rosso border congestion continues to affect regional logistics. Visa Rules Across West Africa: Liberia confirmed visa-free entry for citizens of 12 ECOWAS countries in 2026, aligning access with the bloc’s free movement framework.