The Autonomous Port of Nouakchott, a key piece in the economic machinery of West Africa and the main destination for energy exports from the Canary Islands, is preparing for a new phase of expansion. The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Mauritania, Tang Zongdong, held a high-level meeting this April with the director general of the port authority, Lemrabott Benahi, with the aim of sealing the commitment for the rehabilitation of critical infrastructures in the emblematic ‘Friendship Port.’ The central axis of these technical discussions has been the ambitious rehabilitation project of the old dock. This action is not only an aesthetic improvement but an urgent operational necessity to increase the efficiency in the loading and unloading of goods and improve the capacity to receive deeper-draft vessels. With this modernization, Nouakchott seeks to position itself as a more competitive logistics hub capable of supporting the growing volume of regional economic activity. The port administration has described the meeting as a decisive step towards a comprehensive port partnership. Beyond immediate rehabilitation, both parties have analyzed long-term cooperation prospects that include the digitalization of processes and the possible expansion of service areas. China, which has been a historical partner in the construction and maintenance of this enclave, thus reaffirms its interest in ensuring the fluidity of Atlantic trade routes through Mauritania. This strengthening of bilateral cooperation is based on a model of common interests, where investment in Chinese engineering translates into a direct improvement in the Mauritanian trade balance. The importance of stability and operational efficiency in Nouakchott is vital, not only for the internal supply of the country but also for the connectivity of landlocked neighboring countries that depend on this dock for their essential imports. The rehabilitation of the Friendship Port by China consolidates the presence of the Asian country on the Saharan Atlantic facade, a move that complements its recent investments in similar infrastructures at other strategic points along the West African coast.
© 2026 canarymaritime