Amid surging food prices triggered by the conflict in the Middle East, Mauritanian authorities have rolled out sweeping price monitoring measures. The initiative targets essential goods such as rice, oil, and sugar to prevent unjustified price hikes.
Teams of inspectors have been deployed across Nouakchott and other regions to enforce these checks. Their duties include monitoring market supplies, safeguarding consumer rights, and cracking down on fraudulent practices.
Compliance with the new regulations is already yielding results. Aissata Bâ, a vendor handling imported products like Kadi (bouillon), Jedida (butter), and Delia (chocolate), confirms no price adjustments have been made. Similarly, Fatimetou Mint Ahmed, a local shopper, reports stable prices for staples like oil, rice, sugar, and milk, despite circulating rumors of increases.
Mohamed Ould Bouh, a trader, echoes these observations, noting a calm market with no signs of tension or price manipulation.
The government’s zero-tolerance approach is backed by strict penalties. By late March, authorities had shut down dozens of non-compliant businesses and imposed hefty fines as part of a broader campaign to curb profiteering and anti-competitive behavior.