Algeria Pledges to Bolster Energy Partnership with Mauritania Amid High-Level Talks
Image: El Mawkie
Takeaway
Algeria's proactive engagement with Mauritania signals a strategic move to solidify its influence in the regional energy landscape. International investors should monitor Sonatrach's activities in Mauritania, as successful joint ventures could unlock new opportunities in Mauritania's emerging energy sector. The focus on renewable energy projects also presents avenues for investment in Mauritania's green energy transition.
Algeria reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with Mauritania in the energy sector during a two-day working visit by Mauritania's Minister of Energy and Oil, Mohamed Ould Khaled, which began on Sunday, February 15, 2026. The Mauritanian delegation included officials from key Mauritanian energy companies, such as the Mauritanian Petroleum Company (SMH), the Mauritanian Electricity Company (SOMELEC), and the Mauritanian Refining Company (SOMIR). Talks were held with Algerian Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, and Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies, Mourad Adjal, at the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Mines headquarters.
The visit underscores Algeria's strategic focus on enhancing South-South cooperation and strengthening African partnerships, as directed by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. Discussions centered on bolstering bilateral cooperation, exchanging expertise, and exploring partnership and investment opportunities in mutually beneficial projects. Algeria aims to translate existing memoranda of understanding and agreements into tangible projects with economic and developmental impact, fostering regional integration and energy stability in North Africa. In February 2025, Sonatrach and SMH signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in onshore and offshore exploration and production.
Algeria expressed its readiness to support Mauritania in developing its oil and gas resources through exploration and production projects, encouraging joint investments via Sonatrach and its subsidiaries. Sonatrach is engaged in advanced consultations with its Mauritanian counterpart across the value chain, from exploration to transportation, processing, and petroleum services. Mauritania's energy sector is experiencing significant growth, with renewables accounting for 16% of the power mix. The country's energy consumption has doubled since 2010, driven by oil (72%) and a decline in biomass use.
The partnership aims to benefit both countries by securing energy supplies and promoting economic growth. Mauritania, with recent gas discoveries estimated at 100 trillion cubic feet, is keen to enhance cooperation in oil, gas, and minerals through technical support and joint investment opportunities. Algeria, as the largest producer of oil liquids in Africa and the sixth-largest producer of natural gas worldwide, seeks to diversify its investments and secure new markets for its energy exports.
Looking ahead, the two nations are expected to focus on implementing concrete projects and further solidifying their energy partnership. Key areas to watch include the development of joint ventures in exploration and production, the construction of energy infrastructure, and the expansion of renewable energy projects. The success of these initiatives will depend on continued political will, effective implementation of agreements, and a stable investment climate in both countries.