This field mission is a key step in the Policy Support Facility (PSF) service to assist the country in developing an inclusive national Research and Innovation (R&I) strategy to make the knowledge economy a driver of sustainable development.

From 27 September to 1 October 2021, PSF experts conducted research and in-depth interviews with a wide range of stakeholders to shape the future strategy. This strategy should contribute to a better coordination of the R&I system and its different actors, to better capitalise on research results, improve incubation and technology transfer.

Accompanied by the Policy Support Facility (PSF) Technical Assistance Unit, the international group of four experts has worked in close collaboration with the national team, led by Mr Ali Ould Mohamed Salem Boukhary, Research and Innovation Advisor of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS) and Mr Ahmed El Mouna, Director of the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation (ANRSI). The experts met with around 120 people to discuss the challenges, opportunities and priorities of Research and Innovation in the country.

In addition to ministerial meetings with the Minister of MESRS, Mrs. Amal Sidi Cheikh Abdallahi, and the Minister of Digital Transition, Innovation and Modernisation of the Administration, Mr. Abdel Aziz Ould Dahi, the panel of experts met with key players from the academic world (heads of the University of Nouakchott Al Aasriya, the University of Islamic Sciences of Aïoun and the Polytechnic Group, as well as researchers and doctoral students), research institutions (focusing on agriculture, public health, oceanography and fisheries), the private sector (key economic sectors such as mining and fisheries; startups and Fablabs), as well as representatives of indigenous knowledge (craft federation, traditional medicine, … ), among others.

Following this field phase and further discussions with the national team, the experts will now work on the drafting of the Policy Recommendation Report (PRR), including recommendations on operational measures and mechanisms, as well as the identification of potential sources of funding.

For more information on this PSF service, please download

– Factsheet of the PSF service in Mauritania (in French)

– Presentation of the members of the Expert Panel (in French)