Over the past two years, a combination of public policy and private sector engagement has driven the country’s emergence in the sector. A dedicated hydrogen code passed in September 2024, the first of its kind in Africa, has created a legal framework for investor participation. Several large integrated projects are advancing through early development phases, reflecting the growing interest of international developers in establishing Mauritania as an export base for green molecules.

Mauritania is advancing green hydrogen production for export, anchored by a February 2025 framework agreement between Danish developer GreenGo Energy and the government of Mauritania. Under this agreement, GreenGo Energy secured rights to over 100,000 hectares near Nouakchott to develop the Megaton Moon green hydrogen project. This initiative is planned in phases, with full capacity including 6 GW of electrolysis, 6.8 GW of onshore wind and 6.3 GWp of solar PV and an estimated 339,000 tons of green ammonia per year from the first phase, targeted by 2029. The project emphasizes export with green ammonia set to be shipped to Europe.

Another initiative is the AMAN project, spearheaded by renewable energy company CWP, currently seeking offtake agreements to anchor its green hydrogen and ammonia production. Located in northern Mauritania, the project targets the development of 18 GW of wind and 12 GW of solar capacity, with the aim of producing up to 1.7 million tons of green hydrogen or 10 million tons of green ammonia annually. Backed by international partners, including the EU’s Team Europe Initiative, CWP is exploring export opportunities, particularly toward European industrial sectors, including green steel producers, with plans to ship derivatives such as hot-briquetted iron.

Other key projects include the 10 GW Project Nour, developed by energy firms Chariot and TotalEnergies near Nouadhibou and a 10 GW project developed by a consortium of Conjuncta and Infinity. Both aim to produce green ammonia for export and have completed feasibility studies. Nour targets completion by 2035 and Infinity by 2036, reinforcing Mauritania’s ambitions in green hydrogen export.

Mauritania faces challenges in scaling green hydrogen exports. Projects require extensive land-use planning to integrate renewable energy infrastructure with minimal disruption to local communities and ecosystems. Megaton Moon’s integrated design–combining energy production with residential and agricultural zones–illustrates an effort to align industrial development with sustainable land and community management. Meanwhile, the country’s arid climate complicates water sourcing, as electrolysis demands approximately 9 l of purified water per kg of hydrogen. Both projects aim to meet this requirement through desalination, with plans to supply surrounding communities and agriculture.

However, desalination is energy-intensive and power transmission remains another bottleneck, with the current grid limited to urban areas. To address this, government plans include the construction of a 225 kV, 1,400 km high-voltage transmission line between Nouakchott and Néma, enhancing power distribution and linkage to regional networks

Investment to build the necessary export infrastructure is crucial for Mauritania to meet its green hydrogen ambitions.

The MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power conference and exhibition serves as the premier platform in West Africa to generate investment across the energy sector. Taking place in Dakar from December 9–10, the event will bring together global financiers and project stakeholders, offering a key opportunity to mobilize funding for green hydrogen production.

Explore opportunities, foster partnerships and stay at the forefront of the MSGBC region’s oil, gas and power sector. Visit www.msgbcoilgasandpower.com to secure your participation at the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2025 conference. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.