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Mauritania: fintech & payments regulation

Partially regulated

Mauritania fintech & payments: CBK-supervised banking/microfinance; no specific VASP regime

Lead regulator:
Banque Centrale de Mauritanie
Key law:
Law No. 2018-036 bis (2018)
Last updated:
2026-07-12

The Banque Centrale de Mauritanie (CBK) is the primary supervisor for credit institutions, microfinance institutions (MFIs), and financial cooperatives. The regulatory framework is anchored by Law No. 2018-036 bis for banks and Ordinance No. 2007/005 for MFIs, with detailed operational rules set by CBK instructions.

There is no specific legislation or licensing category for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) or standalone fintech payment institutions in the provided documents. Entities offering payment services must typically operate under existing banking or microfinance licenses, subject to CBK approval.

Capital requirements are explicitly defined for traditional entities, such as a minimum of six billion ouguiya for banks. The regulatory direction emphasizes strict CBK oversight, prior approval for shareholdings, and robust governance structures for all regulated financial entities.

Who regulates

  • Banque Centrale de Mauritanie

    Primary supervisor for credit institutions, MFIs, and financial cooperatives; issues licensing instructions.

    [1][2][3][4][5]

Core laws & rules

  • Law No. 2018-036 bis (2018)

    Regulates credit institutions to protect public deposits and ensure financial system stability, mandating Central Bank approval for credit activities.

    [1]

  • Ordinance No. 2007/005 (2007)

    Regulates Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) and their umbrella structures, establishing the CBK as the supervisory authority.

    [3]

  • Instruction No. IGR/2008 (2008)

    Defines conditions for bank approval, shareholding acquisition, and executive management rules.

    [2]

Licensing & registration

  • Credit Institutions (Banks)

    Requires Central Bank approval for all credit activities and prior Monetary Policy Committee approval for shareholdings. Capital: 6,000,000,000 OUG

    [1][2]

  • Microfinance Institutions (MFIs)

    CBK supervises Category A, B, and C MFIs; requires specific capital thresholds and collective approval mechanisms for net capital.

    [3][4]

  • Financial Cooperatives

    Requires establishment of General Assembly and Board of Directors; governed by specific organizational framework.

    [5]

  • Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs)

    No specific licensing category or law identified in source documents.

    Low confidence — verify with the regulator before relying on this.

Restrictions & warnings

  • Prior approval from the Monetary Policy Committee is required for the acquisition or extension of shareholdings in bank capital.

    [2]

  • Central Bank approval is mandatory for all credit activities to protect public deposits.

    [1]

Direction of travel

  • Regulatory focus remains on stability and deposit protection for traditional financial entities; no recent updates on fintech-specific frameworks are evident in the provided documents.

Sources

  1. Law No. 2018-036 bis on the Regulation of Credit Institutions · 2018-09-27
  2. Instruction No. IGR/2008 Defining the Conditions and Criteria for Bank Approval, Modalities for Acquisition or Extension of Shareholdings in Bank Capital, and Rules Regarding Bank Executives · 2008-02-12
  3. Ordinance No. 2007/005 on the Regulation of Microfinance Institutions · 2007-01-15
  4. Instruction No. 10/GR/2007 on the Approval and Registration Procedures for Microfinance Institutions · 2007-01-01
  5. Instruction No. Q 19 GR/07 on Financial Cooperatives · 2007-01-01

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This guide is compiled automatically from 5 primary-source documents published by Mauritania's regulators, reviewed by RegAlert, and refreshed monthly (last updated 2026-07-12). It is not legal advice — always confirm requirements with the regulator or local counsel before acting.