Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 14 December 2025 – The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) marked the groundbreaking of the Kiffa Potable Water Supply Project during an official engagement in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, attended by H.E. the President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, and H.E. Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Fund for Development.

The Kiffa Potable Water Supply Project aims to strengthen access to safe and reliable drinking water by drawing water from the Senegal River, meeting growing demand in both quantity and quality, improving continuity of supply, and reducing the hardship and cost of accessing water—particularly during the summer months—while strengthening public health and living conditions. The project will serve five towns in the Guidimakha and Assaba regions, including Kiffa, Mauritania’s third-largest city, and is expected to help reduce illnesses linked to contaminated water, currently reported at 60% in the project area.

The Saudi Fund for Development’s allocation for the water project amounts to USD 100 million, with co-financing from the OPEC Fund for International Development (USD 40 million), the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (USD 65 million), the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (USD 32 million), the Islamic Development Bank (USD 40 million), and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (USD 35 million). The beneficiary population is projected to grow from approximately 252,000 people in 2022 to 362,000 by 2035, reaching 553,000 beneficiaries by 2050.

As part of the same engagement, the Saudi Fund for Development also signed a development loan agreement with the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to support the growth of the energy sector through the Mauritania–Mali Power Interconnection and Solar Power Development Project.

The agreement, valued at USD 60 million (SAR 220 million), was signed by H.E. Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Fund for Development, and H.E. Mr. Abdallah Ould Sidiya, Minister of Economic Affairs and Development of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.

The project aims to expand Mauritania’s electricity transmission and distribution network by connecting major cities from Nouakchott to Néma, while enabling cross-border electricity exchange with the Republic of Mali through regional power networks. The initiative includes the construction of a 1,373-kilometre dual-circuit electricity transmission line, operating at 225 kV, with a power generation capacity of 600 MW.

As part of the project, 11 electricity substations will be constructed, and electricity access will be extended to 150 villages located along the transmission corridor. The project is expected to benefit approximately 480,000 people, supporting improved energy reliability and access across urban and rural communities.

By strengthening electricity transmission and distribution networks, the project will enhance operational efficiency, reduce power interruptions, and lower economic and operational costs. It will also support industrial development, agricultural productivity, and entrepreneurship, contributing to broader social and economic growth in Mauritania.

This engagement reflects the Saudi Fund for Development’s continued commitment to supporting sustainable infrastructure projects that promote economic resilience and improve living conditions in partner countries.

As part of the visit to Mauritania, the Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Fund for Development, H.E. Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, met with Their Excellencies in Mauritania, the Minister of Economic Affairs and Development, Mr. Abdallah Ould Sidiya, the Minister of Equipment and Transport, Mr. Ely Sid’Ahmed Elveirick, and the Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Mr. Mohamed Ould Khaled. The two sides discussed ways to strengthen joint development cooperation.

Since its establishment in 1974, the Saudi Fund for Development has financed more than 800 development projects in over 100 countries. In Mauritania, SFD has supported 31 development projects across key sectors including energy, water, roads, agriculture, education, and infrastructure, contributing to the country’s long-term development priorities.