Company Formation in Mauritania
A complete guide to navigating APIM and the Nouadhibou Free Zone. Learn the requirements, corporate structures, and timelines for establishing a legal entity in Northwest Africa’s strategic bridge for mining, offshore energy, and fisheries.
Consult Our Mauritania Setup TeamThe Role of APIM and the Guichet Unique
Business registration in Mauritania is centralized and expedited through the Investment Promotion Agency of Mauritania (APIM). APIM operates a highly efficient “Guichet Unique” (One-Stop Shop) that consolidates interactions with the Commercial Court, Tax Administration, and Social Security to formalize companies within 48 to 72 hours.
While Mauritania is not a member of OHADA, its modernized Commercial Code draws heavily on French civil law, offering a familiar and stable legal framework. For foreign investors, APIM serves as the critical gateway for accessing the Mauritanian Investment Code’s extensive fiscal and customs incentives.
2 – 4 Days
Average APIM Turnaround
25%
Standard Corporate Tax (BIC)
100% Foreign Ownership
Fully permitted across most commercial sectors
Types of Companies You Can Register
Mauritania offers standard Francophone corporate structures adapted for a modernized, pro-business environment.
Limited Liability Company (SARL)
The Société à Responsabilité Limitée (SARL) is the most preferred vehicle for SMEs and local subsidiaries. Recent reforms have abolished the strict minimum capital requirements, allowing founders to freely set the initial share capital. It requires at least one shareholder (SUARL).
Joint Stock Company (SA)
The Société Anonyme (SA) is designed for large-scale operations—highly common in Mauritania’s vast iron ore, gold mining, and offshore energy sectors. It requires a minimum share capital of 5,000,000 MRU (Mauritanian Ouguiya) and stricter corporate governance oversight.
Branch Office (Succursale)
Foreign contractors and service providers can register a branch to operate directly. A branch is not legally distinct from its parent company. Generally, a branch must be converted into a domestic subsidiary after two years, unless extended by special ministerial decree.
The Formation Process
Drafting Statutes & Notarization
Verify the company name and prepare the Articles of Association. In Mauritania, the intervention of a Notary Public is mandatory to draft and authenticate the corporate statutes before they can be submitted to the registry.
Capital Deposit
Deposit the required share capital into a blocked corporate bank account at a local Mauritanian bank or with the Notary. The bank will issue a certificate of deposit required for the final registration dossier.
APIM Guichet Unique Submission
Submit the notarized documents to APIM. The One-Stop Shop will register the entity with the Commercial Registry (RCCM) and the General Directorate of Taxes (DGI) to issue your Tax Identification Number (NIF).
CNSS & Legal Publication
APIM concurrently registers the company with the National Social Security Fund (CNSS). Finally, a notice of incorporation is published in a journal of legal announcements or on APIM’s official portal to legally validate the entity’s existence.
Nouadhibou Free Zone & APIM Incentives
Mauritania offers a powerful magnet for foreign investment: the Nouadhibou Free Zone (ZFN). Located at the commercial capital, it targets fisheries, logistics, and manufacturing. Companies operating in the ZFN enjoy 0% corporate tax, 0% customs duties, and completely free repatriation of capital.
For investments outside the Free Zone, the national Investment Code, administered by APIM, provides attractive tiered benefits. Depending on the size of the investment and job creation (especially in priority sectors like renewable energy and agriculture), businesses can secure multi-year tax holidays and duty exemptions.
Speak with an Advisory ExpertCompliance to Watch
- ⚠️ Language Requirements: Mauritania operates in a dual-language environment (French and Arabic). Corporate documents must typically be drafted in French or translated by a sworn translator for administrative processing.
- ⚠️ Exchange Controls (BCM): The Central Bank of Mauritania (BCM) manages strict foreign exchange controls. Establishing clear banking channels and ensuring all initial capital injections are properly documented is vital for future dividend repatriation.
- ⚠️ Labor Regulations (CNSS): Compliance with the CNSS is strictly monitored. The labor code heavily protects local employment; therefore, bringing in expatriate workers requires demonstrating that the skills are not available locally.
Need Professional Assistance?
Navigating APIM’s Guichet Unique, structuring for the Nouadhibou Free Zone, and managing French/Arabic notary requirements demands specialized local expertise. Let our corporate advisors handle the bureaucracy and complete your setup in Mauritania.
Start Your Mauritania Formation