Land ownership in Mauritania continues to present significant challenges, as the state holds legal title to most land while local communities rely on traditional use rights. Many farmers operate without formal documentation, exposing them to disputes, landlessness, and barriers to investment.
The current legal framework stems from a 1983 ordinance that abolished traditional land ownership, vesting unregistered land in the state. This created a dual and often conflicting system of statutory and customary law, disproportionately affecting rural farming and pastoral communities and contributing to conflicts.
President Mohamed Ould Cheikh is addressing these issues as part of efforts to encourage land cultivation and strengthen food security. He emphasized the state’s responsibility in fostering collective prosperity, stating that the role of the state is to provide conditions for collective prosperity, while individuals must make efforts and show the will to move from difficult situations toward independence and a better life.
Agricultural experts highlight that securing land rights is essential for unlocking investment and ensuring long-term stability in the sector. Without clear ownership, investors hesitate to commit resources.
“Land ownership titles are a very important factor in attracting investors and ensuring stability in the agricultural sector,” one expert noted. “An investor cannot commit capital to land they do not own legally or control. This has therefore been a major challenge in recent years.”
To work around these constraints, the state has expanded cultivated areas by constructing new irrigation canals and extending river water further inland to reclaim unused or informally held lands.
Mauritania is advancing agricultural productivity through investments in irrigation, transport, and storage infrastructure, alongside expanded support for farmers. While financing remains limited, reforms to increase credit access for agricultural investment are being implemented.
These initiatives form part of the country’s accelerated growth and shared prosperity strategy, which positions agriculture at the center of its development agenda. The plan aims to achieve self-sufficiency for the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, strengthen food security, and develop up to 150,000 hectares of farmland.
The broader challenge lies in transforming improved land security, investment, and infrastructure into tangible benefits for farmers, reducing dependence on food imports, and building a more resilient rural economy. Authorities have promised reforms to clarify ownership, which could help resolve longstanding tensions and support sustainable agricultural growth.
