Mauritania’s National Digital Transformation Agenda (2022-2025)

Mauritania’s National Digital Transformation Agenda (2022-2025) outlines the country’s strategic framework for advancing its digital landscape. This agenda, launched by the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Innovation, and Modernization of the Administration (MTNIMA) in 2022, focuses on promoting a sustainable, self-determined, and human-centred digital transformation.

By 2025, the agenda aims to double internet usage and the size of the digital sector, triple employment in the digital economy, and establish Mauritania as the leading digital nation in the Sahel region. The plan is organised around four strategic pillars. The first pillar focuses on enhancing digital infrastructure. This involves expanding the national fibre backbone by an additional 4,000 kilometres, strengthening international connectivity through submarine and terrestrial cables, and improving the quality and coverage of mobile networks.

The second pillar targets the digitalisation of public administration. Efforts here include streamlining public services through automation and interoperability, creating a national government intranet and cloud, and advancing open government initiatives to facilitate data sharing and citizen participation.

The third pillar emphasises sectoral digital transformation. Priority sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and fisheries are set to benefit from specialised digital tools designed to enhance access to services and operational efficiency. For instance, digital systems will be implemented in healthcare to provide broader access to quality medical services and in education to expand e-learning capabilities.

The fourth pillar centres on fostering innovation and e-business. The agenda supports the growth of startups and digital entrepreneurs by developing a conducive ecosystem, including innovation hubs and technopoles. It also promotes digital payment systems and e-commerce platforms to integrate businesses into the digital economy.

To ensure successful implementation, the agenda identifies three critical enablers. Governance and the legal framework are prioritised, with the establishment of institutions like the High Council for Digital Development and agencies for cybersecurity and data protection. Digital skills development is another focus area, with plans to reform educational curricula to meet market demands and provide certifications for public-sector employees. Building trust in digital systems is also highlighted, with measures to enhance cybersecurity and foster digital awareness among citizens and businesses.

Funding for the agenda amounts to €400 million, supported by a combination of public-private partnerships, contributions from international development partners, and national budgets. The roadmap spans the years 2022 to 2025, with a phased approach to infrastructure expansion, service delivery, and capacity development.

Through these measures, the agenda seeks to address challenges such as low internet adoption, fragmented digital governance, and limited ICT sector participation, ultimately positioning Mauritania as a regional leader in digital transformation.