About MBBC
About MBBC
Who We Are
The Mauritanian British Business Council was founded in 2016 to build a serious, credible, and commercially focused bilateral platform between the United Kingdom and Mauritania. We are not an advisory firm, a consultancy, or an NGO. We are a private-sector-led trade association with a single focus: making UK–Mauritania commercial engagement work.
In 2026, MBBC marks its tenth anniversary. In that decade, we have built relationships with diplomats from both countries, government ministers and ministry officials, investment agencies, private sector organisations, and institutions across the full spectrum of UK–Mauritania activity.
We were active before Mauritania became an international energy story. That continuity — and the relationships it has produced — is the foundation of everything we offer.
Our Position
MBBC has had sustained, practical engagement with Mauritania since 2016 — across more than 50 in-country visits over a decade. That sets us apart from the many Africa advisory organisations that discuss the continent from offices in London, producing reports and strategies without ever visiting the countries they cover.
We have attended presidential inaugurations, participated in national economic forums, sat in meetings with government ministers, visited port and logistics infrastructure, toured energy facilities, signed partnership agreements, and supported the development of education institutions.
That depth of presence is rare in UK–Africa trade promotion. It is what makes MBBC credible to both the UK and Mauritanian sides of every conversation we facilitate.
How We Work
We go. More than 50 visits to Mauritania over ten years. Our understanding comes from direct experience, not reports written elsewhere. That presence is what builds trust on both sides of the bilateral relationship.
MBBC is private-sector-led and commercially minded. We are not a diplomatic body, a development agency, or a generic chamber of commerce. Our focus is trade, investment, and practical business engagement.
We do not arrive in countries and leave. Our relationships with Mauritanian partners span years — through changing governments, economic cycles, and shifting international attention. That continuity is rare and commercially valuable.
City of London Events Programme
Part of MBBC's London programme is bringing key Mauritanian figures into the City — for member briefings, roundtable discussions, and open sessions at member venues including Goodman Derrick LLP and the Reform Club.
In May 2019, Dr Sidi Ould Tah — then Director-General of BADEA — joined members for an open discussion on Mauritania's investment environment. He has since been appointed President of the African Development Bank. These are the kinds of conversations MBBC facilitates.
Ten Years of Engagement
TVET UK delivers the Higher Institute of English in Nouakchott — the first UK-standard English language training institution in Mauritania. The project's success inspires the founding of MBBC, whose first cohort of graduates are now in employment across the country.
The Mauritanian British Business Council is founded by Matthew Anderson and Pieter Tesch — a long-term friend of Mauritania. Roger Nunn, joining at the formal launch after retiring from BP, takes the role of Director General. MBBC becomes the only UK organisation dedicated to UK–Mauritania commercial engagement.
MBBC leads inaugural trade missions to Mauritania, establishing relationships with the Chamber of Commerce (CCIAM) and the National Union of Employers (UNPM). Regular briefings with HM Ambassadors to Mauritania — including Simon Boyden and Colin Wells — begin at member venues including Control Risks and the Reform Club.
Matthew Anderson attends President Ghazouani's inauguration alongside African and Middle East heads of state. A joint trade mission with the Energy Industries Council is covered on Mauritanian national television, attended by ministers and 50+ businesses, with 100% positive delegate feedback. MBBC hosts Dr Sidi Ould Tah — now President of the African Development Bank — in the City of London for an open discussion on Mauritania's direction.
Directors' visits to Nouakchott resume with meetings across the ministries of Economy, Petroleum, Education and Health, plus CCIAM and APIM. A major webinar on sustainable industry growth with the Minister of Energy, Petroleum and Mines attracts 200+ delegates.
MBBC attends Mauritanides 2022 — the country's flagship mining and energy conference — as international attention on Mauritania's offshore gas potential accelerates. Direct briefing from BP's Projects VP on the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project and UK supply chain opportunities.
MBBC participates in MSGBC 2023, Mauritania's major international energy event, engaging with global energy companies, investors, and the Mauritanian government on the country's transformational gas and renewables opportunity.
Matthew Anderson attends the second inauguration of President Ghazouani — marking MBBC's continued presence at the highest levels of Mauritanian political and commercial life across a full decade.
MBBC marks ten years of UK–Mauritania bilateral engagement. A decade of practical presence, trusted relationships, and consistent championing of Mauritania in the United Kingdom — as the country enters its most significant period of international economic attention.
Leadership
Chairman, MBBC | Managing Director, TVET UK
MBBC was founded in 2016 by Matthew Anderson and Pieter Tesch, a long-term friend of Mauritania with deep connections across the country. Roger Nunn joined as Director General at the formal launch, bringing extensive experience from a distinguished career with BP including roles as President of BP Mexico and President and General Manager of BP Exploration Libya.
The inspiration for MBBC came from the first Anglo-Mauritanian education project — the Higher Institute of English in Nouakchott — which Matthew Anderson had overseen through TVET UK the previous year. Its success demonstrated what UK–Mauritania collaboration could deliver, and the potential to build something more lasting.
With over 30 years of experience promoting British education, training and qualifications internationally, Matthew leads TVET UK, a commercial education system integrator delivering end-to-end education solutions across Africa and frontier markets. In 2021, he founded the Francophone British Business Council (FBBC) — a separate company sharing resources with MBBC, established to capitalise on similar opportunities across Francophone Africa.
Matthew has made more than 50 visits to Mauritania across the MBBC decade, attending two presidential inaugurations, participating in national economic forums, and building a network of relationships across government, the private sector, and civil society that is unmatched among UK organisations focused on the country.