Mauritania Telecom Expansion: Mauritania’s regulator (ARE) has selected three companies to expand satellite internet services after a January tender, with strong domestic and international interest and nine bids submitted across two licensing categories. Development Finance: The AfDB says it has boosted its Mauritania support portfolio from $147m to $659m over three years, targeting energy, agriculture, water, transport, governance, youth entrepreneurship and private sector development. Energy & Cost of Living: Mauritania will keep the fuel oil subsidy at 70 MRO per litre, costing the state about 3.15bn old ouguiyas per month, to cushion cost-of-living pressures; fuel prices are also unchanged for the month. Regional Trade Disruption: Over 80 Moroccan trucks are stranded at the Rosso border with Senegal after security concerns diverted traffic away from Mali, with customs delays and limited daily crossing hours hitting perishable goods. Social & Skills: Qatar Charity (QC) and Mauritania’s ministry of social action inaugurated a sewing workshop in Nouakchott for female graduates, aiming to turn training into stable income. Global Investment Benchmark: UNCTAD reports the UAE attracted $48.24bn in FDI in 2025 (up ~6%), ranking ninth globally—useful context for Mauritania’s own investment push. LNG Market Context: The IGU’s World LNG Report flags record 2025 LNG trade (437m tonnes) and notes Mauritania/Senegal’s Tortue/Ahmeyim project as a first-time LNG exporter, while Middle East conflict is clouding LNG outlooks.