The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum has the main mission of ensuring the country's energy security, as well as the responsible exploitation and development of petroleum, gas, and renewable resources for the benefit of all citizens, in accordance with the principles of economic and social efficiency, sustainability, and intergenerational equity.
The Ministry is responsible for the development and implementation of government policy in the hydrocarbons and energy sectors. In this regard, it ensures to:
Define and implement the strategic vision for the sector, as well as sector development strategies and programs aimed at maximizing the economic and social benefits of exploiting the country's energy resources.
Comply with environmental standards and the country's international commitments, particularly in the fight against climate change.
Promote and implement national policies related to the transformation, refining, and local value addition of petroleum, mining, and renewable energy resources.
Specific Competencies of the Ministry
The Ministry is responsible for:
Defining and implementing the national policy for the production, transport, and distribution of electricity, as well as energy transition and energy efficiency.
Establishing the national electrification and electricity infrastructure development program.
Developing and promoting the exploitation of new and renewable energy sources.
Promoting and developing low-carbon hydrogen and implementing related projects.
Regulating and monitoring the activities of crude oil refining, import, export, storage, transport, and distribution of refined hydrocarbons.
Institutions and Companies under the Ministry's Supervision
The Ministry supervises several public institutions and national companies, including:
The Mauritanian Electricity Company Group (SOMELEC) and its subsidiaries,
The Mauritanian Hydrocarbons Company (SMH),
The Mauritanian Refining Industries Company (SOMIR),
The National Hydrogen Agency.
Monitoring Activities and Committees under the Ministry's Supervision
The Minister also oversees the activities of the following bodies:
The National Local Content Development Committee,
The National Hydrocarbons Committee,
The Rural Electrification Agency,
The Petroleum Infrastructure Management Company,
Any company operating within its areas of competence in which the state or its public institutions hold a stake.