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Port of Nouakchott

Since 2016 — Celebrating a Decade of Engagement

Driving trade and investment between Britain and Mauritania

The UK's only dedicated bilateral platform for trade and investment between Britain and Mauritania. Ten years of practical, relationship-driven engagement — before Mauritania became a global story.

10
Years
2016–2026
10
Years of bilateral engagement
50+
In-country visits to Mauritania
The only
UK body dedicated to Mauritania
2026
Tenth anniversary year
Mauritanian Atlantic coastline Fishing vessels off the Mauritanian coast Nouakchott at sunset

Why Mauritania

A frontier market at a defining moment

Mauritania is entering a transformational period. Substantial offshore gas reserves, accelerating infrastructure development, growing international investment interest, and a government with genuine ambitions for modernisation — the conditions for serious bilateral engagement have rarely been stronger.

MBBC has been here throughout — engaging with Mauritania's institutions, private sector and government before the current wave of international attention arrived. That continuity and depth of relationship is what we offer UK organisations looking to engage seriously.

Energy & GasMiningLogistics & Port FisheriesEducationRenewables Financial ServicesInfrastructure

10 Years On the Ground

Built on relationships, not theory

While many organisations discuss Africa from conference rooms in London, MBBC operates on the ground — building trust locally, supporting projects, facilitating introductions, and consistently championing Mauritania in the UK. We were active before the gas boom. We have continuity, memory and relationships that no newcomer can replicate.

MBBC member event at Goodman Derrick LLP, London — May 2019

Events & Engagement

City of London events, ministerial access, real relationships

MBBC runs a programme of events in London and Nouakchott — lunches at the Reform Club, ambassador briefings at member venues, ministerial roundtables, energy sector briefings, and open discussions with visiting Mauritanian figures.

In May 2019, one such event brought together MBBC members and Dr Sidi Ould Tah — then Director-General of BADEA — for an open discussion on Mauritania's economic direction. He has since become President of the African Development Bank.

That kind of access — to people who matter, before they become the names everyone else is trying to reach — is what a decade of genuine engagement delivers.

Dr Sidi Ould Tah
President, African Development Bank
Formerly Director-General, BADEA
Hosted by MBBC at Goodman Derrick LLP, City of London — May 2019
SNIM iron ore train, Mauritanian Sahara

One of the world's longest trains, carrying iron ore across the Mauritanian Sahara to Nouadhibou port

SNIM Railway
Mauritania's industrial scale

What We Do

Access, intelligence and relationships

01

Market Access & Intelligence

Direct access to Mauritanian government ministries, investment agencies, and senior business leaders. Regular briefings on the commercial and political environment, sector opportunities, and regulatory landscape.

02

Trade Missions

Assisted introductions for organisations new to Mauritania, and deeper access for those with existing relationships. Missions led by MBBC with first-hand in-country experience and established networks.

03

Representation & Lobbying

MBBC represents UK and Mauritanian business interests with government and authorities in both countries. We attend major conferences including Mauritanides, MSGBC, and bilateral government forums.

04

Partnership Facilitation

Connecting UK organisations with credible Mauritanian partners, project principals, and institutional stakeholders. We understand both environments and the realities of doing business across them.

05

Sponsorship & Partnership

Corporate sponsors support the UK's only dedicated Mauritania bilateral platform. Sponsorship provides visibility, credibility, and access — positioning your organisation as a serious long-term participant.

06

Cultural & Commercial Guidance

Practical support navigating cultural, commercial and regulatory environments — drawn from years of real in-country experience, not secondhand research or reports written at a distance.

A Decade of Achievement

What MBBC has delivered

Government & Diplomacy

Ambassador & Ministerial Access

Regular briefings with HM Ambassadors to Mauritania — including Simon Boyden and Colin Wells — hosted at member venues including Control Risks and the Reform Club. Hosted the Mauritanian Ambassador at member events and supported the Embassy's Independence Day receptions. Ministerial-level access across energy, education, economy and foreign affairs in both London and Nouakchott.

City of London Events

High-Profile Speakers & Ministerial Guests

MBBC has hosted a programme of London events bringing together members and senior Mauritanian figures — including ministers, investment agency heads, and visiting officials. One such event in May 2019 brought Dr Sidi Ould Tah, then Director-General of BADEA and now President of the African Development Bank, to a City member law firm for an open discussion on Mauritania's direction.

Energy Sector

BP Greater Tortue/Ahmeyim & Energy Briefings

Direct briefing from BP's Projects VP on the major offshore LNG project and UK supply chain opportunities. Webinar with the Minister of Energy, Petroleum and Mines attracting 200+ delegates. Participation in Africa Gas, Africa Power & Renewables, Mauritanides, and MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power conferences.

Trade Missions

Joint Mission with Energy Industries Council, 2019

Led a joint trade mission with the Energy Industries Council — covered on Mauritanian national television, attended by government ministers and 50+ Mauritanian businesses, with 100% positive delegate feedback. Matthew Anderson attended President Ghazouani's inauguration the same year, and his second inauguration in 2024.

In-Country Engagement

Multi-Ministry & Institutional Access

Directors' visits to Nouakchott with meetings across the ministries of Economy, Petroleum, Education and Health, plus the Chamber of Commerce (CCIAM), APIM, and the National Union of Employers (UNPM). Port and logistics site visits, fisheries sector engagement, and the FFRIM football federation — demonstrating the breadth of MBBC's Mauritanian relationships.

Culture & Soft Power

Beyond Business — Understanding Mauritania

From the Oxford EAMENA programme's briefing on Mauritania's endangered archaeology to journalist Kissima Diagana on press and cultural freedom. Annual Independence Day receptions at the Reform Club. Education: the first UK-standard English language institute in Nouakchott, whose graduates are now in employment across Mauritania.

View Full Track Record
MBBC hosts Dr Sidi Ould Tah, City of London
City of London
Port of Nouakchott
Infrastructure
Ministerial engagement, Nouakchott
Government
British Embassy reception, Nouakchott
Diplomacy
MBBC at national forum
Conferences
View Full Gallery →

Membership & Sponsorship

Join the UK's Mauritania platform

MBBC membership gives organisations direct access to a bilateral network built over a decade — including government relationships, commercial intelligence, and a community of businesses engaged with Mauritania.

Corporate sponsorship is available from £4,000 per annum for organisations that want prominent association with the UK's only dedicated Mauritania platform. Enquire for tailored packages.

Major Corporate Member
250+ employees — includes FBBC membership
£1,999 +VAT
Corporate Member
Any company — includes FBBC membership
£999 +VAT
Corporate Sponsorship
Prominent bilateral platform association
From £4,000
Membership Details Enquire About Sponsorship
MBBC ministerial engagement, Nouakchott

Sister Organisation

Francophone British Business Council (FBBC) — Founded by Matthew Anderson in 2021 to capitalise on similar opportunities across Francophone Africa. A separate company sharing resources with MBBC, the FBBC supports UK business engagement with some of Africa's fastest-growing markets.

Visit FBBC →

Get In Touch

Start the conversation

Whether you are considering membership, exploring a specific Mauritanian opportunity, or interested in sponsorship — we welcome direct enquiries from serious organisations.

Email

info@mauritanianbritish.com

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