Mauritania adopts 2027 budget with 152 billion ouguiya revenue
The government plans a 6.2 billion ouguiya surplus, projecting 0.5% economic growth amid global risks.
Mauritania's government has adopted its 2027 budget, projecting total revenues and subsidies at 152.11 billion ouguiyas. The budget anticipates expenditures and net borrowing of 145.91 billion ouguiyas, aiming for a global surplus of 6.2 billion ouguiyas. This financial plan forecasts a real economic growth of 0.5% for 2027, with an inflation rate of 3.3%.
The budget operates under a new fiscal rule limiting the non-extractive primary balance, including subsidies, to 3.5% of nominal GDP. This links spending ceilings to anticipated revenues, excluding extractive industry income. Under this rule, the non-extractive primary balance is set at a deficit of 21.03 billion ouguiyas for 2027, a reduction from the projected 22.18 billion ouguiyas deficit in 2026. Significant investments are allocated, including 11.59 billion ouguiyas for Nouakchott's development and 26.4 billion for a program to expand essential services by 2027.
Economic forecasts highlight risks to budget execution, such as Middle East tensions, rising energy prices, falling gold prices, or gas production disruptions. Decreased subsidies and preferential financing, alongside delayed inflation reduction, could increase public aid burdens. The government stated that the budget framework includes spending caps, a liquidity reserve at the central bank, and contributions to the national oil revenue fund to mitigate these risks.
Why it mattersMauritanian citizens will be affected by the government's budget allocations for essential services and local development programs.