Mauritania’s National Strategy for Transitioning to IPv6
November 2022
Strategies and Action Plans
Author: The Ministry of Digital Transition, Innovation, and Modernization of the Administration
Mauritania’s National Strategy for Transitioning to IPv6 outlines a comprehensive approach to addressing the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses and embracing the benefits of IPv6. This transition is deemed critical for the country’s digital future, enabling enhanced connectivity, security, and support for technologies such as IoT, AI, and 5G.
The vision of the strategy is to leverage IPv6 to drive digital transformation, improve economic competitiveness, and extend access to digital resources to enhance citizens’ quality of life. The mission sets a specific target: achieving a 25% adoption rate of IPv6 by 2026.
The strategy is built on the following pillars:
- Infrastructure readiness.
- Awareness and capacity development.
- Policy and regulatory framework.
- Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
The objectives of the strategy include raising awareness through campaigns, providing clear guidelines for implementation, training local ICT professionals, offering cost estimation frameworks, and facilitating international support for knowledge transfer and financial assistance.
Mauritania’s current state of IPv6 readiness reveals a mixed level of preparation among stakeholders, ranging from government entities to ISPs and educational institutions. Key findings highlight a lack of budget allocation for the IPv6 transition, though most existing equipment is already IPv6-compatible. The most pressing need identified is for training and technical skill development to manage and support IPv6 networks.
The economic impact of transitioning to IPv6 is significant. It is projected to foster growth in key sectors such as ICT, agriculture, fisheries, mining, and oil and gas. In addition to strengthening public services like e-governance, education, and healthcare, IPv6 deployment is expected to increase GDP growth. For instance, a 10% increase in IPv6 deployment could contribute 0.4% to GDP growth, underscoring the economic potential of this transition.
The implementation plan consists of three phases: preparation, where gaps are identified and infrastructure is upgraded; dual-stack operation, which facilitates a gradual shift from IPv4 to IPv6; and monitoring, which ensures the progress of the transition and makes necessary adjustments.
Capacity development is a critical component of the strategy. It includes establishing specialised training programs certified by international IPv6 forums and developing a dedicated IPv6 training center to equip local professionals with the necessary skills.
The financial considerations of the transition focus on training and capacity-building rather than technology acquisition, as most existing equipment already supports IPv6. A detailed cost analysis emphasises transparency and prioritises funding for human resource development.
International benchmarking plays a crucial role in the strategy. Lessons from countries such as France, Malaysia, and the USA, which have successfully transitioned to IPv6, guide Mauritania’s approach to policy, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks.
Governance and coordination of the strategy will be handled by a national committee comprising multiple ministries and stakeholders. This ensures a unified approach to achieving the vision and mission set forth in the strategy.