The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) are supporting Mauritania's Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière (S
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) are supporting Mauritania’s Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière (SNIM) in a $467 million project to expand the capacity of its 704-kilometer railway, which transports iron ore from the Zouérat mines to the Port of Nouadhibou.
SNIM is Mauritania’s largest company and a leading African iron ore producer, employing over 6,750 people. The initiative underscores a collaborative effort to safeguard economic growth, ensure community well-being, and build climate resilience.
Objectives
This expansion, funded in part by a $150 million AfDB loan, aims to double railway capacity and strengthen SNIM’s resilience to climate change. GCA is conducting climate risk assessments to address extreme heat, sand accumulation, and sea-level rise. Recommendations will include: resilient infrastructure designs, enhanced emergency response protocols, and worker safety measures for heat-related health risks.
The project is set to increase iron ore production to 40 million tonnes annually by 2030. It will also support SNIM’s decarbonization with a 12 MW solar photovoltaic plant. About 150 skilled jobs will be generated in in railway operations and 3,000 indirect jobs in mining and processing.
Patrick V. Verkooijen (GCA President) emphasized the project’s role in embedding resilience and sustainability into critical infrastructure while promoting inclusivity and ecosystem protection. Solomon Quaynor (AfDB Vice President) highlighted the expansion as a precursor to SNIM’s growth and its potential to foster regional industrial partnerships.
“This landmark partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration to secure a sustainable and resilient future for Mauritania and beyond. By embedding climate adaptation into critical infrastructure projects, we are not only safeguarding economic growth but also ensuring the well-being of communities and the protection of vital ecosystems. This initiative reflects a broader vision of progress that prioritizes resilience, sustainability, and inclusivity at its core,” said Patrick V. Verkooijen.