Mauritania plans to test a national digital addressing system before the end of 2026 to support e-commerce, the digital transformation ministry said in a September 29 presentation, according to Agence Ecofin. The World Bank is financing the initiative through a regional digital integration program. Mobile 3G and 4G networks covered 85% and 80% of the population respectively in 2025, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) figures cited by Ecofin showed.
Analysis: Reliable street addresses could lower last-mile delivery costs for couriers and improve customer identification for banks and utilities. But just 45.8% of the population used the internet in 2024, despite 4G network coverage reaching 80% a year later, suggesting physical network reach alone does not explain limited online commerce. Telecom regulator ARE also reported poor call completion rates and weak 3G and 4G service at Mattel, Mauritel and Chinguitel on October 7. The ministry has yet to identify the pilot location or budget before the year-end target.
Source: Agence Ecofin, Ecofin Agency, 'Mauritania plans end-2026 pilot of digital addressing system to support e-commerce', citing ITU, 2025; Agence Ecofin, Ecofin Agency, citing ITU, 2025 and 2024