A strategic initiative to strengthen water security and meet rising demand in the Assaba and Guidimaka regions
The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has contributed to financing a large-scale water infrastructure project aimed at enhancing water security in Mauritania, supporting the supply of safe drinking water to the city of Kiffa and surrounding areas. The initiative is among the country’s most significant projects addressing growing water demand in the Assaba and Guidimaka regions.
The project was officially inaugurated in Touimirt Iflane, south of Kiffa, in the presence of His Excellency Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. It involves transferring water from the Senegal River, enabling dozens of cities and villages to access potable water through a modern distribution network.
With a total value exceeding USD 300 million, the project ranks as one of Mauritania’s largest water supply initiatives. In its initial phase, it is expected to provide clean drinking water to more than 180,000 people, with plans to gradually expand capacity to serve up to 500,000 beneficiaries by 2050.
The scope of the project includes the construction of water production and treatment facilities with a capacity of up to 50,000 cubic meters per day, designed for future scalability. It also features an extensive transmission and distribution network spanning more than 780 kilometers, ensuring reliable water delivery to cities and villages along the route.
His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, stated:
“This project represents a strategic investment in addressing water scarcity, one of the region’s most critical development challenges. Through this financing, the Fund is enabling long-term, sustainable water solutions that strengthen resilience, enhance quality of life, and support Mauritania’s economic and social development. The project underscores our commitment to building impactful development partnerships that expand access to essential services, in alignment with the UAE’s development vision and the Sustainable Development Goals.”
He added that the long-standing development partnership between ADFD and Mauritania, which began in 1977, has supported the financing of multiple strategic infrastructure projects across essential sectors. He reaffirmed the Fund’s continued commitment to initiatives that deliver economic value and enhance societal well-being.
The project is being implemented in collaboration with several Arab, Islamic, and international development funds, reflecting a joint financing effort to deliver one of Mauritania’s most ambitious water security projects, supporting national priorities for sustainable development and improved access to clean water.
