The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, inaugurated this Wednesday, 16 July, the extension of the Cervantes Institute in the capital of Mauritania as part of the First High-Level Meeting (HLM) with the West African country. This extension, which will be attached to the Cervantes Institute in Rabat, will promote the teaching of Spanish language and culture, and underline the importance that both countries grant to the learning of a global language such as Spanish.
Minister Albares expressed his satisfaction at the growing level of interest in the knowledge of Spanish language and culture among the younger population of Mauritania, and indicated Spain's desire ‘to reinforce this objective of promoting Spanish language and culture’ in the country. Spain already has three Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) assistantships at the University of Nouakchott Al Aasriya, as well as a scholarship programme to further increase the existing interest, in addition to the recently inaugurated extension of the Cervantes Institute in Nouakchott.
This extension consolidates the commitment made in the Declaration of 27 August 2024 between Spain and Mauritania, and opens the path to explore new ways of collaboration in Spanish language teaching, teacher training and cultural exchange between the two countries. ‘We are here today because we strongly believe in the ability of language to bring people togethe’, the minister shared at the inauguration.
Cooperation support
During this meeting, Foreign Affairs officially announced at the HLM the granting of an important credit for a total of 50 million euros, through the Fund for the Promotion of Development (FONPRODE), attached to the AECID. This investment, authorised by the Council of Ministers at its meeting on 8 July, responds to Spain's commitment to financial cooperation that promotes territorial cohesion, climate resilience and sustainable development in priority partner countries. In addition to the 50 million euros from FONPRODE, the project will receive 45 million dollars from the World Bank.
The implementation of the Senegal River Valley Development Project, in partnership with the World Bank, is FONPRODE's first financial cooperation operation in the country. The project aims to improve access to integrated, inclusive and climate-resilient infrastructure and basic services in border communities in four regions prioritised by the Spanish Cooperation: Brakna, Gorgol, Trarza and Guidimaka. With a five-year implementation horizon, the initiative is estimated to directly benefit 1.2 million people.
In addition to its infrastructural dimension, the project incorporates key approaches such as climate change adaptation, local institutional strengthening and the active participation of women and youth, in line with Mauritania's climate commitments and strategic frameworks such as the SCAPP 2016-2030 and the Mauritania-Spain Country Partnership Framework 2024-2027. With this, Spanish Cooperation reaffirms its commitment to priority sectors such as sustainable agriculture, fisheries and inclusive governance.
This action, channelled through AECID, makes a tangible contribution to the 2030 Agenda by improving equitable access to basic services, creating local employment and boosting social cohesion in vulnerable areas. The incorporation of environmental resilience and sustainability criteria reinforces a financial cooperation that is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, modern and oriented to partner countries' priorities.
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