New container and terminal at the port of Nouakchott

Background

The project consists of the design, financing, construction, maintenance and operation of a new container and oil terminal at the port of Nouakchott. The project was awarded by the government of Mauritania to Arise Mauritania under a 30-year concession agreement (DBOT-scheme) in September 2018. It is the first major infrastructure project developed under a PPP-scheme in the country*.

In December 2018, Meridiam joined the project by acquiring 50% of the shares of the project company Arise Mauritania, now renamed “Terminal à Conteneurs de Nouakchott”. The Port of Nouakchott accounts for almost all the imports for the domestic market. This new terminal will contribute significantly to the economic development of Mauritania by supporting the growth of its import traffic but also by participating in the development of export sectors (particularly in the fishing and copper
industries) and by creating new opportunities for regional trade.

The new infrastructure is being developed in two phases. The first phase includes a 250,000 TEU container terminal, and the extension and deepening of the port area to allow large container vessels. The container terminal started operations in April 2022.

Stage

In Operation

ESG/SDG Key Facts

In April 2022, TCN signed a partnership with the NGO Agir Contre l’Exclusion et pour la Réinsertion (“ACER”) and one of the municipalities of Nouakchott (El Mina). TCN has provided a grant of €100,000 to promote training and support the integration of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds through the sewing industry. The partnership includes the rehabilitation of a socio-cultural centre in El Mina, the purchase of sewing materials and the support of the training activities conducted by ACER. Works were completed in Q4 2022, and the sewing equipment was delivered on site in March 2023. First training activities will be launched in September 2023.

Learn more about the project:

Meridiam reaches financial closing of Nouakchott port in Mauritania

Meridiam announces the closing of the reopening of its Africa fund at €546 million, 2.5 times its initial size