Mauritania completed an expansion of the Idini water supply project serving Nouakchott two months ahead of its December 3, 2026, contractual deadline, Prime Minister El Moctar Ould Djay said on October 18, according to state news agency AMI. Daily output has risen to more than 100,000 cubic meters from a maximum of 45,000, and the project cost €65mn, he said.
Analysis: Idini's output has more than doubled, by our calculation, although these figures measure supply from the field, not the city's total water supply. Reported project costs differ: AMI cited both €65mn and about 35bn ouguiyas. If the latter refers to old ouguiyas, it equals 3.5bn MRU (€78mn) at the current central bank rate, putting the reported amounts between €65mn and €78mn. More water could reduce dependence on truck deliveries for hotels, food processors and construction sites. But benefits depend on distribution through Nouakchott's network, where new reservoirs are still being built.
Source: AMI (state news agency), AMI, 'Le Premier Ministre : le projet Idini est achevé deux mois avant son échéance contractuelle', Before October 2026; AMI (state news agency), AMI, Idini project article, October 2026 and Total cost (as reported October 18, 2026); AMI (state news agency), Agence Mauritanienne d'Information, site footer 'COURS DE CHANGE', 19-20 October 2026