Grand Tortue Ahmeyim gas exports start, but Mauritania's economy remains largely unchanged

In 2025 Mauritania began exporting liquefied natural gas from the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project, generating about $237 million and narrowing the trade deficit to $23 million. Despite the new revenue, gas accounted for only a small fraction of total exports, which are still dominated by gold, iron ore and fish, and real GDP growth slowed to 4 percent.

Kosmos Energy’s Q2 report notes that both Mauritania and Senegal are preparing to use GTA gas for power generation. Senegal is building a gas‑fired power plant near Saint‑Louis and plans a gas‑pipeline network, while Mauritania signed a 25‑year agreement with a Saudi electricity firm for a 230 MW plant at N’Diago. Former Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko estimated that the gas could save Senegal at least 143 billion FCFA in electricity costs, reducing household bills and state subsidies.

The project’s early shipments have improved Mauritania’s foreign‑exchange reserves, but the full economic transformation into a gas‑driven economy remains pending as the plant operates below full capacity and the state’s share of revenues is unclear.