Mauritania has announced plans to increase its strategic reserves of energy and food supplies to safeguard the domestic market amid tensions in the Middle East and rising global energy prices.
Speaking at the Government’s weekly press briefing, Minister of Energy and Petroleum Mohamed Ould Mohamed Malainine Ould Khaled said five tankers carrying petroleum products are expected to arrive before the end of this month to reinforce the country’s national reserves.
He added that the government will maintain its subsidy-adjustment mechanism to cushion consumers from high international fuel prices. According to the minister, if oil prices remain between 85 and 90 dollars per barrel, state support for liquid fuels could reach about 25 billion ouguiyas (around 628 million dollars) this year, while subsidies for domestic gas may exceed 30 billion ouguiyas.
At the same briefing, government spokesperson Houssein Ould Medou said temporary measures had been introduced to preserve food and energy stocks for the local market. The measures, he noted, are being coordinated by a ministerial committee responsible for maintaining adequate reserves and managing potential disruptions in global trade.
