The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Nouakchott conducts a full range of cultural, educational and information programming throughout Mauritania. The mission of the Public Diplomacy section is to promote understanding of U.S. policies and the interests and values of American society. To accomplish this mission, the Public Diplomacy Section works closely with a wide variety of local groups and institutions. These include the media, educational institutions, non-governmental organizations and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.

The work of the Public Diplomacy Section of the Embassy is divided into two parts: Cultural and Educational Affairs, and Press and Information.

The American Center hosts regular programs, including English Language Conversation Club discussions.  It is also offers educational advising sessions, information on U.S. study abroad, as well as resource library and internet access by appointment.

Contact Information

Public Affairs Officer (PAO)
Phone: +222-4525-2660
Email:  PASNouakchott@state.gov

Located within the U.S. Embassy
Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Phone Numbers: (222) 4525-2660/1781

The Office of Security Cooperation (OSC) manages all security assistance activities in Mauritania as well as coordinating host nation support, conducting joint planning, and acting as liaison for other defense matters of mutual concern.

The Political and Economic section is responsible for the full range of post’s political, economic, and commercial affairs, preparing reports and supporting U.S. policy goals in the areas of counter-terrorism, democratization, trafficking in persons, environment, science and technology, and organized labor.  The section promotes U.S. commercial programs on behalf of the Department of Commerce.

The Consular Section’s main responsibilities are: American Citizen Services (ACS), including passport and reports of birth abroad issuance, and Nonimmigrant Visas. The Consular Section also provides notary services for American citizens and for all nationalities whose documents are related to business in the United States.  All relevant fees must be paid in U.S. dollars, Mauritanian Ouguiya, or via credit card. Personal checks are not accepted. 

The Consular Section is open for regular services, by appointment only, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm local time. The U.S. Embassy in Dakar, Senegal will continue to adjudicate Mauritanian immigrant visas.

The Consular Section is closed during American and local holidays.  An Embassy Duty Officer is on call after hours to assist with life and death emergencies concerning U.S. citizens.

USAID’s team in Mauritania  works in coordination with the USAID mission in Senegal’s Sahel Regional Office and  the USAID West Africa Regional Mission in Ghana on activities focusing on youth, health, governance and humanitarian assistance.

The Program and Grants Office (PGO) administers two small grants programs for the U.S. Embassy:  the Ambassador’s Special Self Help and the Julia Taft Fund.  Please see the “Grants” section for more information on these two programs.