Mauritanian Ouguiya

Overview

Economy

• Mauritania is a member of AU, Arab League, AMU, ECOWAS (observer), OIC.
• Main industries include: Fish processing, Oil production, Mining (iron ore, gold, copper), Agriculture.
• Mauritania is part of the World Trade Organization.
• Imports are machinery, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods.
• Major exports include iron ore, fish and fish products, livestock, gold, copper.
• GDP: $8.9 billion (2023 est.).
• GDP per capita: $1,878 (2023 est.).
• Unemployment rate: 10.1% (2023 est.).
• Inflation rate: 4.0% (2023 est.).
• Main trading partners: China, Spain, Japan, France, Netherlands, Germany.
• Trade agreements: EU Economic Partnership Agreement, Arab Free Trade Area.

History

• Previous currencies used: CFA franc, French colonial franc.
• The ouguiya was introduced in 1973, replacing the CFA franc. It was redenominated in 2018 at a rate of 10:1, creating the 'new ouguiya' (MRU).
• 1973: Ouguiya introduced, replacing CFA franc
• 1975: Central Bank of Mauritania established
• 1999: Discovery of oil reserves
• 2008: Military coup impact on economy
• 2018: Currency redenomination (10:1)
• 2019: Return to constitutional order
• Exchange rate peg: Managed float with interventions.

General Information

• ISO 4217 Code: MRU
• Symbols: MRU/UM
• Currency Subunits: 5 khoums
• Central Bank: Central Bank of Mauritania
• Monetary Policy: Managed floating exchange rate with focus on controlling inflation and supporting economic diversification.
• Bills: 5 MRU, 10 MRU, 20 MRU, 50 MRU, 100 MRU, 200 MRU, 500 MRU, 1000 MRU
• Coins: 1 khoum, 1 ouguiya, 2 ouguiya, 5 ouguiya, 10 ouguiya, 20 ouguiya
• USD Exchange Rate: Variable (approximately 37-38 MRU per USD)
• Pegged To: None (Floating)
• Capital: Nouakchott
• Population: 4,736,139 (2023 est.)
• Area: 1,030,700 km²
• Languages: Arabic (official), Pular, Soninke, Wolof, French
• Time Zones: UTC+0 (Greenwich Mean Time)
• Government Type: Presidential republic
• Head of Government: President (head of state and government)
• Independence: November 28, 1960 (from France)
• Ethnic Groups: Black Moors 40%, White Moors 30%, Sub-Saharan Mauritanians 30%
• Religions: Muslim 100%
• Literacy Rate: 53.4% (2017 est.)
• Transport: Nouakchott International Airport, limited road network, Nouakchott port, mining railways
• Communications: Basic telecommunications, 63% internet penetration, mobile network coverage
• Energy: Fossil fuels 95%, Hydroelectric 3%, Renewables 2%
• Countries Using This Currency: Mauritania
• Data Sources: Central Bank: Central Bank of Mauritania (bcm.mr), Economic Data: National Statistics Office Mauritania, World Bank, IMF, Trade Data: Ministry of Commerce Mauritania, Demographic Data: National Statistics Office Mauritania, Geographic Data: National Meteorological Office, Historical Data: Central Bank of Mauritania archives
• Last Updated: 2025