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the revenues will go to the Ge-
             neral  Budget  and  10%  to  the  The economic potential of Mauritania
             Intergenerational  Fund.  Gene-
             ral  Budget  funds  will  be  used
             to cover investment expenditu-
             res  exclusively  for  the  benefit
             of  all  Senegalese  populations,
             current,  and  future  genera-
             tions. Additionally, these reve-
             nues will be used to invest in
             key  areas  such  as  education,
             infrastructure, health, and ag-
             riculture.  The  Intergeneratio-
             nal  Fund  is  intended  to  be  a
             source  of  savings  for  future
             generations. Our leaders have
                                                                                                  Mauritania map
             to  ensure  that  contracts  are

             awarded  transparently  and      In 2020, the deterioration of the global economy caused by the Co-
             that  communication  is  acces-  vid -19 pandemic has left Mauritania in a vulnerable position. Its
             sible  to  all  to  manage  the  GDP has decreased from 5.9% in 2019 to 3.6% in 2020. Multiple fac-
             HOPE  of  the  Senegalese        tors contributed to the economic slowdown, including a decline in
             people.  Meanwhile,  there  are  export  revenues,  a  significant  reduction  in  tax  revenues,  and  an
             numerous  debates  in  the       increase in health expenditures to cope with the global pandemic.
             media     about    improving     Foreign  trade  and  direct  investment  have  been  heavily  impacted.
             legislation  for  the  O/G  sector.  Mauritania is preparing an ambitious financial development plan
             Leaders  should  not  overlook   to resolve its macroeconomic challenges. A post-pandemic revival
             this issue. Nigeria is a perfect  of the global economy will lead to a surge in demand of iron, which
             example,  as  the  Minister  of  is Mauritania’s main growth engine. Despite their heavy reliance on
             Petroleum  Resources  recently   mining and agriculture, the Mauritanians want to become a gas po-
             said: “ Nigeria lost an estima-  werhouse. The country has teamed up with Senegal, BP, and Kos-
             ted  $235  bn  worth  of  invest-  mos Energy to create an ambitious gas field project.
             ments in the oil and gas sector  However, Mauritania must overcome some serious challenges to ac-
             for delaying the passage of the  hieve its ambitious economic goal: lack of investor attraction, lack
             Petroleum  Industry  Bill  by    of financing mechanisms to support small and medium-sized en-
             about two decades”. The funds    terprises (SME), a growing concern of local stakeholders about the
             will be invested for long-term   impact of oil exploitation on fisheries.
             projects.                        Ousmane  Mamadou  Kane,  Mauritanian  Minister  of  Economic  Af-
             The stabilization fund portion   fairs and Promotion of Productive Sectors is enthusiastic about the
             will be defined later. All these  project. In his view, the gas exploitation will mean significant funds
             proactive actions illustrate that  for the Treasury and Central Bank, providing the country with basic
             the Senegalese leaders are well  needs such as education, road infrastructure, water, sanitation, and
             aware of what lies ahead, and    energy. With a budget of $4,8 bn, the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA)
             they want to play a significant  project is anticipated to generate 2.5 million tons of liquefied natu-
             role in exploiting their resour-  ral gas per year and 70 million cubic feet of natural gas daily in its
             ces.                             first phase. It’s expected to start production in 2023.



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