Agadir – Morocco and Mauritania signed an agreement today in Rabat to rehabilitate and widen the road linking Nouakchott and Nouadhibou through Kilometer Point 55, strengthening road connectivity and economic links between the two countries.
Morocco’s Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka and Mauritania’s Minister of Equipment and Transport Ely Ould El Veireck signed the agreement, which covers a 480-kilometer road connecting the road networks of the two countries.
The agreement establishes a framework for joint work on the project, including road maintenance and the exchange of expertise and experience between the two countries. The project also seeks to facilitate the movement of transport operators and economic actors and support smoother trade flows between Morocco and Mauritania.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Baraka described the project as an important step toward connecting Nouakchott and Dakhla through Kilometer Point 55.
“The signing of the framework agreement between Morocco and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania concerns a very important project, namely the connection between Nouakchott and Dakhla via Kilometer 55,” Baraka said.
He said the road would create an economic corridor linking Morocco and Mauritania with Dakar and other parts of Africa.
“The first step will be to widen and maintain the road, as well as develop and reinforce it, so that it can keep pace with the developments envisioned by King Mohammed VI, and His Excellency President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani,” he added.
Baraka also linked the project to Morocco’s Atlantic Initiative, launched by King Mohammed VI to strengthen Atlantic access for Sahel countries.
“Through this project, we also want to reaffirm and strengthen the Atlantic Initiative launched by King Mohammed VI,” he said.
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The Moroccan minister added that the Dakhla Atlantic Port is expected to be ready by the end of 2028, saying the road project and other infrastructure developments would support greater economic integration between Morocco and Mauritania.
“All of this will provide a strong impetus toward achieving economic complementarity and integration between the two brotherly countries, while further strengthening the bonds of fraternity between the Moroccan and Mauritanian peoples,” Baraka said.
For his part, Ould El Veireck thanked Baraka for their work in reaching the agreement.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my friend and colleague, Minister Baraka, for this invitation, as well as for the tremendous work carried out by the technical teams within the ministries, which has enabled us today to sign this historic agreement,” he said.
The Mauritanian minister said the agreement would support the financing of a vital road linking Nouakchott and Dakhla through Kilometer Point 55.
“This agreement therefore complements our efforts to develop our countries, given the strategic and commercial importance that this road holds for both countries,” he said.
The agreement also provides for stronger coordination on road maintenance and the exchange of technical expertise. Moroccan officials said the project would include the creation of a joint engineering office in Mauritania to oversee its implementation.
The signing comes amid efforts by Morocco and Mauritania to expand bilateral cooperation in infrastructure, transport, trade and investment, with road connectivity playing a central role in facilitating movement and commercial exchanges between the two countries.
