Which authority licenses and supervises banks in Mauritania's banking system?

The Banque Centrale de Mauritanie (BCM) licenses and supervises banks and also oversees payment institutions and electronic-money institutions under Mauritania's banking and payment laws.

What documents does a customer usually need to open a bank account at a bank in Mauritania?

Banks commonly request a national identity card or passport, proof of residence, a photograph and a signature. Depending on the product, they may also request income evidence or salary domiciliation.

How do banks in Mauritania differ from electronic-money and payment providers for everyday banking services?

Banks can offer current accounts, savings, term deposits, foreign-currency accounts, cheques, cards and broader account services. Electronic-money and payment providers can offer wallets or payment accounts with lower-entry digital access, and some prepaid cards can work without a bank account.

Which payment networks can customers use with banks in Mauritania?

GIMTEL connects banks, ATMs and merchant terminals in Mauritania, while provider-dependent Visa or Mastercard links can support card payments and withdrawals. SWIFT is used for international payment messaging.

What should a bank customer do after losing a card or detecting suspected fraud in Mauritania?

The customer should contact the bank or payment provider promptly, request a card or account block, change exposed credentials and review statements and transaction messages. The provider's complaint and opposition procedure governs the following steps.

Banks in Mauritania

Banks in Mauritania provide accounts, deposits, payments, cards and related financial services under the supervision of the Banque Centrale de Mauritanie (BCM). The country had 17 commercial banks in 2024, including seven Islamic banks and three with majority foreign capital. Electronic payment institutions, electronic-money providers and Mauripost offer additional ways to store or transfer money, especially where a full bank account is not practical.

byKhadija&Moulaye

The BCM is Mauritania's central bank and licenses and supervises credit institutions, payment institutions and electronic-money institutions. The main legal framework includes Law 2018-036 bis on credit institutions, Law 2018-034 on the BCM, Law 2018-037 bis on the national payment system, Law 2021-014 on electronic payment services and means, and Law 2019-017 on anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorist-financing controls. Data confidentiality is also covered by Law 2017-020. A bank can provide a current or payment account, chequing services, savings, term deposits, foreign-currency accounts, cash deposits and withdrawals, internal and interbank transfers, cheques, cards and online access. A term deposit, also called a DAT, normally keeps funds locked until maturity; early release and any penalty depend on the contract. Reviewed sources do not establish a national deposit-protection scheme or a guaranteed reimbursement limit, so the account terms and the provider's financial position require attention. Account opening usually takes place at a branch or through a selected online channel. Banks commonly request a national identity card or passport, proof of residence, a photograph and a signature. They may also request income evidence or salary domiciliation. A minor generally uses a legal representative. Eligibility, fees, service access, transaction limits and delivery times vary by bank and product. No universal right to a basic bank account or nationwide settlement deadline was evidenced. Mauritania's formal banking sector works alongside seven payment institutions, electronic-money providers, Mauripost and mobile payment services. Electronic wallets and payment accounts can provide lower-entry access than a traditional bank account, and some prepaid cards can be used without a bank account. Wallet registration may use the NNI, a mobile number, an SMS four-digit code, a username, a security question and a PIN. Cadorim, Moov Money, GazaPay and Mauripost BaridCash are named providers in the reviewed material. For everyday payments, GIMTEL connects banks, ATMs and merchant terminals. Cards may support cash withdrawals through DABs, merchant payments through TPEs and online payments, with Visa or Mastercard connections depending on the provider. PINs and one-time passwords may authenticate transactions. SWIFT supports international payment messaging. The BCM infrastructure description reports semi-automated interbank clearing, physical cheque exchange and paper-based or manual settlement for some high-value payments. A transfer-only payment institution may face a limit of MRU 30,000 per operation and MRU 300,000 per month per beneficiary. Banking access remains uneven. BCM indicators report 21% financial inclusion and 4% electronic-money use in 2023, while the World Bank's 2024 Findex reports 27.3% adult account ownership and 15.7% digitally enabled account ownership; these measures use different definitions. The SNIF 2023-2028 and SNPN support broader access, safer digital payments and development of payment institutions and electronic-money services, including for underserved and rural users. Customers should keep their PIN, password, OTP and NNI confidential, check statements and transaction messages, and report loss, theft or suspected fraud promptly. The provider can usually block a card or account after notification. First-line support comes from the bank, payment institution or electronic-money provider through a branch, customer service channel, application or website. BNM e-BNM supports balance and history checks, statements, transfers, card and chequebook requests, opposition procedures and adviser contact. BCM also provides financial-education and complaint pathways, but no independent banking ombudsman was evidenced in the reviewed sources. Fees for cards, DAB withdrawals, TPE payments, online services and international use depend on the provider and contract.

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