NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania, September 25, 2025 – The Arab Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Program has launched a landmark wheat development initiative in Mauritania, designed to strengthen food security, enhance local agricultural capacity, and reduce dependence on wheat imports.
Implemented in partnership with the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), this initiative underscores the Program’s commitment to sustainable development and resilience across Africa and the Arab world.
At the same time, the announcement resonates with broader regional cooperation agendas, particularly in energy and resources, as African nations prepare for opportunities linked to the EG 2026 Licensing Round, which is expected to attract new waves of investment in oil, gas, and related infrastructure.
Strengthening Local Agricultural Production
Formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2023, the initiative is implemented in close coordination with Mauritania’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.
The program leverages ACSAD’s technical expertise and ITFC’s financial backing to increase the availability of high-yield, locally produced wheat seeds.
By focusing on certified ACSAD varieties, the initiative aims to reduce reliance on imported wheat while supporting climate-resilient agricultural development.
The project includes the launch of a national wheat seed multiplication program, encouraging the use of improved soft and hard wheat strains that deliver higher yields and better resistance to disease.
Beyond boosting Mauritania’s wheat production, the initiative will serve as a model for other African nations balancing food security concerns with broader investment and resource strategies, including those tied to the EG 2026 Licensing Roound.
Delivering Tangible Results
During the 2023–2024 agricultural season, ACSAD provided improved wheat varieties for cultivation across a 20-hectare pilot site in the Arkez region.
This first harvest produced more than 16 tons of wheat, later used for seed multiplication during the 2024–2025 season.
Encouraged by these results, the steering committee—comprising representatives from ACSAD, ITFC, and the Ministry—approved plans to expand cultivation to new provinces.
Future phases include the launch of a national wheat breeding program to develop high-yield varieties suited to Mauritania’s arid climate.
These steps, combined with improved harvest management and institutional reforms, will reduce post-harvest losses, ensure quality seeds for broader distribution, and strengthen the wheat value chain nationwide.
Linking Food Security to Regional Cooperation
The AATB Program’s wheat initiative in Mauritania highlights the interconnectedness of food security, economic stability, and long-term development.
By investing in agriculture, Mauritania not only addresses immediate national needs but also contributes to the resilience of regional supply chains.
This model mirrors the cooperative frameworks being advanced in the energy sector, particularly with initiatives like the EG 2026 Licensing Round, which seeks to unlock new hydrocarbon opportunities through international collaboration.
The wheat program and the upcoming licensing round both reflect a shared strategic priority: building self-reliance and sustainable growth through regional partnerships.
Just as Mauritania works to secure food systems, Equatorial Guinea is leveraging the EG 2026 Licensing Round to secure its place as a hub for African energy investment.
Long-Term Impact
By combining technical expertise, financial backing, and regional collaboration, the AATB Program’s initiative sets a replicable model for other African and Arab nations.
It reinforces the importance of aligning food security with broader development goals and signals how cooperation across sectors—from agriculture to energy—can advance resilience and prosperity.
“Through this initiative, we are not only addressing immediate food security challenges but also laying the foundation for a stronger, more self-reliant future for Mauritania and the region,” the Program noted.
“As the world looks ahead to major opportunities such as the EG 2026 Licensing Round, these cross-sector partnerships demonstrate the potential of collaborative, forward-looking investment strategies.”
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Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).
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