Mauritania is accelerating its digital transformation agenda following the provisional award of 5G licences to four telecom operators after a combined bid of 1.08 billion ouguiyas ($27 million).
The country’s regulator, Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Posts (ARE), approved bids from Mauritel, Mattel, Rimatel, and Chinguitel, designating them as provisional winners. The financial offers ranged from 252.6 million to 305 million MRU, with each operator also required to pay 5% of annual 5G revenue to the state.
Operators have 30 days from April 9, 2026 to sign licensing agreements and 15 days thereafter to settle fixed contributions to the Public Treasury. The move follows the closure of the tender on March 30, after earlier delays.
The development marks a critical step towards full commercial deployment of 5G technology, expected to deliver faster speeds, lower latency, and expanded capacity to support businesses, governments, and consumers.
However, structural challenges remain. Existing 4G and 3G coverage stood at approximately 73% and 78% of the population respectively in 2024, according to the International Telecommunication Union. Deployment costs are also significant, with estimates from Ericsson placing baseline 5G rollout expenses between $3 billion and $8 billion, with additional investment required for nationwide coverage.
Adoption will further depend on device accessibility—smartphone penetration was about 56.6% among adults in 2024, according to the World Bank—as well as data affordability and digital literacy levels. The licensing process is expected to culminate in the award of up to four licences, positioning Mauritania to unlock new revenue streams while strengthening its digital economy.