Morocco signs deal to establish Mauritania’s first stock exchange

Morocco and Mauritania have signed a landmark agreement to establish Mauritania’s first stock exchange in its capital, Nouakchott, according to Morocco World News.

The agreement, signed last Thursday between the Central Bank of Mauritania and the Casablanca Stock Exchange, comes just four months after a high-level meeting between Morocco’s King Mohammed VI and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould El-Ghazouani aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations.

“This agreement marks a crucial step in our vision to build a modern, transparent, and inclusive financial market in Mauritania,” said Mohamed-Lemine Dhehby, Governor of the Central Bank of Mauritania.

The initiative aims to leverage Morocco’s expertise in capital markets to attract foreign investment to Mauritania and broaden access to financial services for its population.

Founded in 1929, the Casablanca Stock Exchange is Africa’s third-largest with a market capitalization of $86 billion as of March 2025.

“A stock exchange is more than a financing platform—it’s a trusted infrastructure, a catalyst for financial momentum, and a driver of economic transformation and influence,” said Tarik Senhaji, Director General of the Casablanca Stock Exchange.

Under the agreement, the Casablanca Stock Exchange will offer technical, operational, and strategic support for the development of Mauritania’s market. This includes guidance on market structure, trading systems, regulatory frameworks, and oversight mechanisms.

Officials from both countries emphasized that the deal reflects their shared commitment to deepening economic cooperation and promoting sustainable development across the region.