Nouakchott / Muhammad Al-Bakkay / Anadolu

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul arrived in the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott on Monday evening, at the start of an African tour that will also take him to Nigeria and South Africa.

He was received by Mauritanian Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug upon his arrival at Nouakchott airport, according to Anadolu correspondent.

The German minister is scheduled to hold talks later with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, covering regional issues and ways to enhance bilateral cooperation.

Wadephul is accompanied by a delegation of businessmen, as the visit aims to explore opportunities available to German companies and stimulate private investments to support economic growth in the region.

The visit is the first by a German foreign minister to Mauritania since Frank-Walter Steinmeier's visit in 2006, before he assumed the position of German President.

Economic relations between Mauritania and Germany have developed notably in recent years, with expanded cooperation in the fields of renewable energy and green hydrogen, along with encouraging German investments in energy and infrastructure projects.

The European Union has also strengthened its economic partnership with Mauritania by supporting gas and renewable energy projects, economic diversification and green transition programs, in addition to continued cooperation in the fisheries sector.