Arabfields, Giulia Alliata, Economic Correspondent, Italia — Italian agricultural machinery and technology company BF is turning its attention to Mauritania as it seeks to expand its presence in Africa, targeting a country where agriculture is increasingly viewed as a strategic sector for food security and economic diversification.

The move forms part of a broader European push to deepen agricultural cooperation with African countries. BF’s interest in Mauritania is closely linked to the Mattei Plan, an Italian initiative launched in 2024 to strengthen economic partnerships with African countries, including through agriculture, energy and infrastructure.

For Mauritania, the interest comes at a time when the country is looking to make better use of its limited agricultural potential. Much of the country is arid or semi-arid, leaving farmers heavily dependent on access to irrigation and reliable water supplies. Along the Senegal River, however, agricultural activity has expanded in recent years, creating opportunities for mechanisation and modern farming techniques.

For farmers working in these areas, the challenge is not simply increasing production but doing so with fewer resources. Water availability, equipment costs and access to modern technology can determine whether a farming operation remains viable from one season to the next.

BF’s strategy could therefore focus on technologies capable of improving productivity while reducing the amount of labour and water required. The company has developed expertise in agricultural mechanisation and equipment, areas that could become increasingly important as Mauritania seeks to strengthen domestic food production.

The country’s agricultural sector remains relatively small compared with its mining and extractive industries, but authorities have increasingly sought to develop farming and livestock production to reduce exposure to imported food. Population growth and urbanisation are also expected to keep food demand rising over the coming years.

This creates a potentially attractive market for companies able to provide machinery, irrigation solutions and other agricultural technologies. If investments in irrigation and agricultural infrastructure continue, demand for mechanised farming equipment could grow steadily through the end of the decade.

The wider Italian strategy could also give BF an entry point into neighbouring West African markets. Mauritania’s position between North and West Africa, combined with its links to the Sahel and the Atlantic coast, could make the country a useful base for a broader regional expansion.

The immediate opportunity, however, will depend on the ability of agricultural projects to move from policy announcements to commercially viable operations. Farmers and investors will need predictable access to water, financing, equipment and markets before large-scale mechanisation can deliver significant gains.

For Mauritanian farmers, the arrival of an international agricultural technology player could offer more than new machinery. It could bring training, technical expertise and access to farming methods designed for difficult climatic conditions.

If current agricultural investment plans continue, Mauritania could gradually become a more important market for agricultural technology in the Sahel. BF’s interest suggests that international companies are beginning to see the country’s agricultural sector not only as a food-security priority, but also as a long-term commercial opportunity.