Algerian state-owned oil company will train Mauritanian workers

Ties between Algeria and Mauritania’s oil sectors seem to be growing, as Sonatrach, the Algerian state-owned oil company, announced in a statement that its team will train Mauritanian workers after the company and the Mauritanian Hydrocarbons Company signed an agreement on October 22nd, according to the Algerian government-friendly AL24 News via APS.

The Algerian group, Sonatrach, is the largest oil company in Africa, and officials from the public firm visited Nouakchott, Mauritania to sign a contract with the Mauritania Hydrocarbon Corporation (SMH). Sonatrach indicated in a statement that the cooperation between the companies is meant to strengthen the skills of Mauritania’s oil workforce, especially in management and cross-functional professions.

The contract was signed by Souad Abdallah, the president of the Sonatrach Management Academy (SMA) and Taleb Khyar, the vice president of the Mauritanian SMH. Other representatives were present during the meeting, such as Smain Alatou, the Executive Director of HR at Sonatrach and Mohamed Khodja, the president of the Algerian Petroleum Institute.

The statement from the large North African group also claimed that the agreement’s objective is to “strengthen the bilateral relations of the state-owned companies while also promoting the exchange of technical expertise that will allow the Mauritanian Hydrocarbon Corporation (SMH) to benefit from the knowledge of the Sonatrach group through the training programs that will respond to the needs of their Mauritanian partner.”

The statement also claimed that this is a strategic cooperation in the oil sector education between Algeria and Mauritania that will help consolidate skills and knowledge through training programmes and higher education.

In January 2025, Mauritania produced its first gas which marked a major milestone. The gas was obtained with the help of its neighbouring country Senegal and their state-owned Petrosen, alongside Kosmos Energy and BP.

On December 9th 2024, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune made a historic visit to Mauritania, marking the first time in 37 years that an Algerian president visited the country. Algeria seems increasingly interested in the country’s potential, especially since it has discovered gas resources.

The Algerian Union Bank has also expanded its operations in Mauritania by opening a third branch which allows it to provide financial support for Algerian investors’ projects in the nation.