Nouakchott is set to host a groundbreaking forum for Mauritanian expatriates from November 13 to 15, 2025, marking a significant effort by the government to strengthen ties with its diaspora and tap into its potential as a driver of national development.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Mauritanians Abroad announced the forum, highlighting that this unprecedented event aims to move beyond viewing expatriates merely as sources of individual remittances.
Instead, the government intends to transform these overseas communities into active partners in Mauritania’s socio-economic progress.
This initiative comes as part of what officials describe as the implementation of directives from President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, focused on “enhancing bonds with the diaspora and consolidating their partnership in development,” according to an official ministry statement.
The forum will feature interactive workshops and open discussion sessions bringing together representatives from Mauritanian communities abroad, government officials, and economic stakeholders.
#The goal is to foster dialogue, exchange ideas, and propose new cooperative frameworks that better integrate migrants’ contributions into the country’s development plans.
Despite the ambitious vision, some observers have expressed skepticism about the government’s readiness to translate the forum’s recommendations into concrete policies. Longstanding grievances from diaspora members about limited representation, cumbersome administrative hurdles, and the lack of sustainable communication channels persist.
This event, therefore, will not only serve as a platform for dialogue but also as a test of Mauritania’s commitment to harnessing its global citizens’ expertise and resources in a meaningful and structured way.
As the forum approaches, anticipation grows over whether it will pave the way for a new era in diaspora engagement—one rooted in partnership and shared growth rather than mere remittances.
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