IFC Invests in Grands Hôtels de Mauritanie to support business tourism, jobs, and economic diversification

Nouakchott, Mauritania, July 14, 2026 — To support the growth of business tourism, strengthen local value chains, and create jobs in Mauritania, IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, today announced an investment in Grands Hôtels de Mauritanie SA (GHM), the owner of a five-star hotel in Nouakchott.

IFC will provide up to $15 million in long-term financing to support the operations of the country's first internationally branded five-star hotel. Open since November 2025, the 200-room property has significantly expanded Mauritania's capacity to host business travelers, conferences, and international events while meeting growing demand for internationally recognized hospitality standards. IFC's financing will help scale the hotel's operations and maximize its long-term economic impact.

Beyond its hospitality services, the project plays a strategic role in developing Mauritania's business tourism ecosystem. Since opening, the hotel has created more than 200 direct jobs and generated new business opportunities for local suppliers, artisans, food producers, and service providers.

"This hotel represents a major milestone for Mauritania's hospitality sector. As the country's first internationally branded five-star hotel under the Sheraton flag, it sets a new benchmark for quality, service, and sustainability. Beyond welcoming business and leisure travelers, it will create jobs, develop local talent, and strengthen local value chains," said Mokhtar Mohamed Ebeye, Chief Executive Officer of Grands Hôtels de Mauritanie (GHM).

The investment aligns with IFC's strategy to develop infrastructure that enhances private sector competitiveness and creates new markets.

"A dynamic private sector depends on high-quality infrastructure that enables businesses to invest, grow, and create jobs," said Olivier Buyoya, IFC Regional Director for West Africa. "By supporting this project, we are helping strengthen an entire economic ecosystem. This investment will stimulate local value chains, support the growth of business tourism, enhance Mauritania's attractiveness to investors, and contribute to private sector-led economic growth."

The project is aligned with IFC's Sustainability Framework and is expected to achieve EDGE certification by integrating technologies that improve energy efficiency and water management, thereby reducing both operating costs and the hotel's environmental footprint. It will also apply international environmental and social standards for risk management, occupational health and safety, stakeholder engagement, and responsible natural resource management, with IFC's continued support.

IFC is continuing to strengthen its support for the development of the private sector in Mauritania by investing in the mining, agribusiness, tourism, infrastructure and financial services industries. At the same time, the IFC is supporting reforms to improve the business environment, including modernizing the investment code, increasing financial inclusion and expanding access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Over the past five fiscal years, IFC has invested and mobilized almost $2.1 billion in Mauritania, demonstrating its long-term commitment to fostering sustainable, private-sector-led growth.