In just one year's time, production is expected to begin at the Ahmeim LNG field, a joint venture between Mauritania and Senegal that cost $4.8 billion to develop.
According to a report published by the journal African Business, Mauritania is on the verge of becoming a major global gas producer and one of the largest gas producers in Africa.
In its first phase, which will last until 2025, the field will produce 2.5 million tonnes per year, and this will double in the second phase.
Discussions will start next November, and will increase to 10 million tonnes per year in the third phase of the project.
The gas field covers an area of 33,000 square kilometres and contains 1.4 trillion cubic metres of reserves, according to the report, and according to BP, this indicates the possibility of gas production over a period of 30 to 50 years.
The report notes that Mauritania expects at least $19 billion in additional revenue over the next 30 years, in a country whose gross domestic product reached $7.6 billion in 2019, already four times what it was in 2000.
Mauritania's Minister of Economy, Ousmane Mamadou Kane, had earlier confirmed that these revenues will not change the economy overnight, adding that "what is expected above all is to inject a lot of resources into the treasury and the central bank, which will allow the state to meet certain needs, in the sectors of basic education, road infrastructure, water, sanitation and energy.