Mauritania has sealed a deal with Germany’s Möhring Energie Holding GmbH to develop a large-scale green hydrogen and green ammonia complex.
The signing took place in Nouakchott, with Energy Minister Mohamed Ould Khaled and Möhring Energie founder Sascha Möhring formalizing the deal in the presence of senior German and EU officials. The project aligns closely with the Mauritania’s Hydrogen Code, the regulatory framework introduced to attract global investors and accelerate the shift toward clean-energy industries.
The agreement sets the foundation for the NAYRAH project, a multi-phase Power-to-X (PtX) development that will scale up to 1 gigawatt (GW) of electrolysis capacity. The initiative will be developed on an initial land parcel of roughly 500 square kilometers west of Nouadhibou, with the option to expand to about 1,600 square kilometers. The chosen site is considered one of the world’s best locations for combined solar and wind-power generation, offering ideal conditions for low-cost green hydrogen production.
READ: Oil exploration bidding in Libya approaches final phase
Sustainable industrial growth
Development will begin with a 100 MW “fast-track” electrolysis module before expanding to the full 1 GW. Möhring Energie also plans to incorporate environmentally conscious elements, including seawater desalination and the use of renewable by-products for agriculture and potential CO₂-based fuel production. The company says these features are designed to support sustainable industrial growth in the region while minimizing strain on local natural resources.
Once fully operational, the project aims to supply up to 140,000 tons of green hydrogen and 400,000 tons of green ammonia each year, primarily for export to European markets. Commercial production is scheduled for 2029.
A high-profile German delegation led by Christoph Rauh, Africa Director at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), attended the ceremony. Diplomats from Germany, the EU, and Mauritania also participated, underscoring rising international interest in Mauritania’s emerging hydrogen economy.
Sascha Möhring described the agreement as an important milestone, noting that Mauritania’s solar and wind resources provide a strong foundation for cost-competitive green-molecule production. He praised the Mauritanian authorities for what he called constructive and forward-looking cooperation throughout the negotiation process.
The NAYRAH project adds to a series of recent announcements that highlight growing momentum in Mauritania’s hydrogen sector. Earlier this month, GreenGo Energy and S.E.T. Select Energy GmbH unveiled a partnership to co-develop the Megaton Moon hydrogen project, reflecting increasing investor confidence despite questions surrounding the pace of global hydrogen demand growth.
Mauritania’s National Low-Carbon Hydrogen Roadmap estimates the country’s long-term production potential at more than 20 million tons annually. Policymakers say that even a small fraction of coastal land dedicated to renewable-energy installations could unlock millions of tons of export-grade green hydrogen, positioning the country as a key supplier to international markets. With the NAYRAH project.
