Mauritania Water Security Expanded As ADFD Finances Major Kiffa Water Project

Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has helped finance a large water project that supplies Kiffa and nearby areas in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania with potable water. Valued at more than US$300 million, the scheme will draw water from the Senegal River and is planned to serve up to 500,000 people by 2050.

The project was officially inaugurated in Touimirt Iflane, south of Kiffa, in a ceremony attended by Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. The launch highlighted the project’s importance for Assaba and Guidimaka, where demand for safe drinking water continues to rise.

At the first implementation stage, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development water project is expected to deliver potable water to more than 180,000 residents. Service coverage is planned to expand over time to reach up to 500,000 beneficiaries by 2050, across dozens of towns and villages along the distribution route.

Technical works under the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development water project include new production and treatment facilities with a daily capacity of up to 50,000 cubic metres. The plants are designed for future expansion and are linked to a transmission and distribution network that extends around 780 kilometres through the beneficiary regions.

The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development water project is being carried out with support from several Arab, Islamic, and international development funds. This joint financing and execution effort is aimed at backing Mauritania’s national plans to secure consistent access to safe water for communities in Assaba, Guidimaka, and surrounding areas.

"This project represents a strategic investment in addressing water scarcity, one of the region’s most critical development challenges," Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, ADFD Director-General, said. "Through this financing, the Fund is enabling long-term, sustainable water solutions that strengthen resilience, enhance quality of life, and support Mauritania’s economic and social development."

According to Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development water project reflects the Fund’s focus on impactful partnerships that widen access to essential services. The approach is aligned with the UAE’s broader development vision and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to water security and social welfare.

The relationship between Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and Mauritania dates back to 1977 and has included several strategic investments in infrastructure and key services. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development water project is the latest example of this cooperation and is expected to support economic activity, improve living conditions, and strengthen long-term water security in the beneficiary regions.

With inputs from WAM