Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Mauritania Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Mauritania Property Pack
Mauritania's property market is small but growing fast, with Nouakchott leading the way as the country's only truly liquid residential market.
For foreign buyers, the challenge is not finding property, but finding reliable data in a market where official price indices simply do not exist.
This guide breaks down every neighborhood worth considering, with actual price estimates and yield calculations based on the best available sources as of early 2026.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Mauritania.
Note: we constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest market conditions and data available.
What's the Current Real Estate Market Situation by Area in Mauritania?
Which areas in Mauritania have the highest property prices per square meter in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three most expensive areas for residential property in Mauritania are Tevragh-Zeina, Ksar, and premium pockets of Teyarett, all located within Nouakchott and commanding prices that can reach 320,000 MRU per square meter in the best locations.
In these top neighborhoods of Nouakchott, typical prices range from about 170,000 MRU to 320,000 MRU per square meter (roughly $4,300 to $8,000), depending on the specific street, building quality, and whether the property has reliable utilities and a clean title.
What makes these Mauritania neighborhoods so expensive comes down to very specific local factors:
- Tevragh-Zeina: Embassy proximity, better road infrastructure, and clearer land title documentation than peripheral zones.
- Ksar: Strong family rental demand, established services, and spillover from Tevragh-Zeina buyers seeking slightly lower prices.
- Teyarett (premium blocks): Improving connectivity and a growing professional tenant base willing to pay for well-serviced apartments.
Which areas in Mauritania have the most affordable property prices in 2026?
As of early 2026, the most affordable residential areas in Nouakchott are Dar Naim, Arafat, El Mina, and parts of Sebkha, where prices start as low as 35,000 MRU per square meter in some locations.
In these budget-friendly Mauritania neighborhoods, typical prices range from about 35,000 MRU to 110,000 MRU per square meter (roughly $880 to $2,750), which represents significant savings compared to premium zones like Tevragh-Zeina.
The main trade-off in these lower-priced Mauritania areas is that you are often buying into higher risk: Dar Naim requires patience while infrastructure catches up, Arafat has street-by-street variability in water and electricity reliability, El Mina has ongoing restructuring and historical tenure complexity, and Sebkha can have flood and drainage issues in certain blocks despite being relatively central.
You can also read our latest analysis regarding housing prices in Mauritania.
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Mauritania. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
Which Areas in Mauritania Offer the Best Rental Yields?
Which neighborhoods in Mauritania have the highest gross rental yields in 2026?
As of early 2026, the Mauritania neighborhoods with the highest estimated gross rental yields are Teyarett (7% to 10%), Arafat (7% to 11%), and Ksar (6% to 9%), where more moderate purchase prices combine with steady tenant demand to deliver attractive returns.
Across Nouakchott as a whole, typical gross rental yields for residential investment properties range from about 4% in premium areas like Tevragh-Zeina to as high as 11% in more affordable neighborhoods where purchase prices are low but rental demand remains strong.
Here is what drives higher yields in each of these Mauritania neighborhoods:
- Teyarett: Purchase prices sit well below Tevragh-Zeina levels while local professional tenants keep vacancy low.
- Arafat: Broad tenant base and affordable entry points, though maintenance costs can eat into net returns.
- Ksar: Strong family and NGO rental demand creates reliable occupancy at reasonable price points.
Finally, please note that we cover the rental yields in Mauritania here.
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Which Areas in Mauritania Are Best for Short-Term Vacation Rentals?
Which neighborhoods in Mauritania perform best on Airbnb in 2026?
As of early 2026, the top-performing Airbnb neighborhoods in Mauritania are Tevragh-Zeina, Ksar, and select blocks in Sebkha near the city center, where business travelers and NGO visitors create consistent short-term rental demand with nightly rates ranging from about 12,000 MRU to 40,000 MRU ($300 to $1,000) depending on property type.
In these best Nouakchott Airbnb locations, top-performing properties can generate monthly revenues ranging from approximately 400,000 MRU to 1,200,000 MRU ($10,000 to $30,000), though realistic figures for most units sit closer to 200,000 to 600,000 MRU ($5,000 to $15,000) given that Mauritania is not a major tourist destination.
What makes each of these Mauritania short-term rental markets work:
- Tevragh-Zeina: Dense cluster of embassies and international organizations creates steady business travel demand year-round.
- Ksar: Similar professional guest profile at slightly lower price points, appealing to cost-conscious travelers.
- Sebkha (CBD blocks): Can work if property quality is high and management is active, but results vary more.
By the way, we also have a blog article detailing whether owning an Airbnb rental is profitable in Mauritania.
Which tourist areas in Mauritania are becoming oversaturated with short-term rentals?
In early 2026, the only Mauritania area showing early signs of short-term rental saturation is Tevragh-Zeina, particularly in the blocks closest to the embassy zone where multiple similar studio and one-bedroom units now compete for the same business traveler pool.
While exact listing counts are difficult to verify, observable supply in Tevragh-Zeina has grown noticeably over the past two years, with dozens of furnished apartments now marketed to international visitors in a relatively small geographic area.
The clearest sign of early saturation in Tevragh-Zeina is not empty calendars but rather price competition, where hosts offering standard units without standout amenities like pools or reliable generator backup are having to lower nightly rates to maintain bookings.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Mauritania. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
Which Areas in Mauritania Are Best for Long-Term Rentals?
Which neighborhoods in Mauritania have the strongest demand for long-term tenants?
The Mauritania neighborhoods with the strongest long-term rental demand in 2026 are Ksar, Tevragh-Zeina, Teyarett, and Arafat, where a combination of professional employment centers and residential infrastructure keeps vacancy rates low.
In these high-demand Nouakchott neighborhoods, well-maintained properties typically rent within two to four weeks, and vacancy rates for quality units can stay below 5% in normal market conditions.
Here is who rents in each of these Mauritania long-term rental markets:
- Ksar: Local families and Mauritanian professionals seeking stable housing near services and schools.
- Tevragh-Zeina: Expats, diplomats, and NGO staff willing to pay premium rents for security and utilities.
- Teyarett: Young professionals and government employees looking for affordable, functional apartments.
- Arafat: Broad working-class tenant base including teachers, shopkeepers, and service workers.
What unites these neighborhoods is practical: tenants in Nouakchott prioritize commute times, electricity and water reliability, and perceived safety, which is why the best-connected and best-serviced blocks consistently outperform peripheral locations.
Finally, please note that we provide a very granular rental analysis in our property pack about Mauritania.
What are the average long-term monthly rents by neighborhood in Mauritania in 2026?
As of early 2026, average long-term monthly rents in Nouakchott range from about 4,000 MRU ($100) in basic apartments in outer neighborhoods like El Mina to over 60,000 MRU ($1,500) for well-equipped villas in premium areas like Tevragh-Zeina.
For entry-level apartments in Mauritania's most affordable neighborhoods like Dar Naim, Arafat, and El Mina, typical monthly rents range from approximately 4,000 MRU to 9,000 MRU ($100 to $225), offering the lowest cost of living but with variable service quality.
Mid-range apartments in Nouakchott neighborhoods like Teyarett and parts of Sebkha typically rent for about 6,500 MRU to 13,000 MRU per month ($160 to $330), striking a balance between affordability and livability for local professionals.
High-end apartments and villas in Mauritania's most expensive neighborhoods like Tevragh-Zeina and Ksar command monthly rents from 10,000 MRU to 60,000 MRU or more ($250 to $1,500+), with the highest prices going to fully furnished properties with backup power and water storage systems.
You may want to check our latest analysis about the rents in Mauritania here.
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Which Are the Up-and-Coming Areas to Invest in Mauritania?
Which neighborhoods in Mauritania are gentrifying and attracting new investors in 2026?
As of early 2026, the Mauritania neighborhoods showing the clearest signs of gentrification and investor interest are Teyarett, Toujounine, and select corridors in Riyadh, where spillover demand from expensive Tevragh-Zeina is pushing buyers to look for value in adjacent areas with improving infrastructure.
While Mauritania does not publish official appreciation statistics by neighborhood, these gentrifying areas have seen estimated annual price growth of 5% to 10% over recent years, driven by road improvements, new commercial developments, and growing demand from young professionals priced out of premium zones.
Which areas in Mauritania have major infrastructure projects planned that will boost prices?
The Mauritania areas most likely to see price increases from infrastructure projects are neighborhoods in Nouakchott-Sud benefiting from drainage upgrades, plus intermediate cities like Rosso, Kiffa, and Aioun receiving major investments under the Moudoun Project.
Key infrastructure projects currently underway or planned in Mauritania include the World Bank-backed Moudoun Project with $91 million for urban resilience in eight cities, plus flood control and drainage improvements in low-lying Nouakchott neighborhoods documented in GFDRR programming, and masterplan-level transport network concepts under the SDAU 2040 urban plan.
Based on patterns seen in similar emerging markets, Mauritania properties near completed infrastructure projects typically see price increases of 10% to 25% over the following two to three years, though timing is unpredictable and investors should treat plans as scenarios rather than guarantees.
You'll find our latest property market analysis about Mauritania here.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Mauritania versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
Which Areas in Mauritania Should I Avoid as a Property Investor?
Which neighborhoods in Mauritania with lots of problems I should avoid and why?
The Mauritania neighborhoods that present the highest risk for foreign property investors in 2026 are parts of Sebkha, parts of El Mina, and peripheral blocks across multiple communes where land title documentation is weak or contested.
Here are the specific problems affecting each of these risky Mauritania areas:
- Parts of Sebkha: Low-lying terrain creates recurring flood and drainage problems that damage property value.
- Parts of El Mina: Historic restructuring and tenure complexity means title verification is especially critical here.
- Peripheral blocks in Dar Naim, Toujounine, Arafat: Weak cadastral coverage and incomplete registries increase dispute risk.
For any of these neighborhoods in Mauritania to become viable investment options, they would need visible completion of drainage infrastructure, demonstrable improvements in land registry coverage, and a track record of clean title transfers that foreign buyers can verify through official channels.
Buying a property in the wrong neighborhood is one of the mistakes we cover in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying property in Mauritania.
Which areas in Mauritania have stagnant or declining property prices as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the Mauritania areas experiencing stagnant or declining property prices are primarily found in outer Dar Naim, far Toujounine, peripheral Arafat, and the least-serviced blocks of El Mina, where infrastructure gaps and tenure uncertainty limit buyer interest.
While precise decline figures are not available for Mauritania, these stagnant areas have likely seen real price growth near zero or slightly negative over the past three to five years when accounting for inflation and currency movements.
The underlying causes of price stagnation differ by Mauritania area:
- Outer Dar Naim: Long commute times and slow infrastructure rollout keep demand weak.
- Far Toujounine: Incomplete road networks and unreliable utilities discourage buyers.
- Peripheral Arafat: Street-level service variability makes valuation difficult and sales slow.
- Least-serviced El Mina blocks: Ongoing tenure restructuring creates uncertainty that depresses prices.
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Which Areas in Mauritania Have the Best Long-Term Appreciation Potential?
Which areas in Mauritania have historically appreciated the most recently?
The Mauritania areas that have shown the strongest appreciation over the past five to ten years are Tevragh-Zeina, Ksar, and improving blocks of Teyarett, where persistent demand and relative liquidity have supported consistent price growth.
Here is the estimated appreciation performance for each top Mauritania area:
- Tevragh-Zeina: Estimated cumulative appreciation of 40% to 60% over ten years, driven by expat demand.
- Ksar: Estimated cumulative appreciation of 35% to 50% over ten years, supported by family rental markets.
- Teyarett (good blocks): Estimated cumulative appreciation of 30% to 45% over ten years, with acceleration in recent years.
The main driver of above-average appreciation in these Mauritania areas is simply that they are the only neighborhoods where foreign buyers, embassies, and international organizations feel comfortable transacting, which concentrates demand into a small supply pool and supports prices even when the broader economy is soft.
By the way, you will find much more detailed trends and forecasts in our pack covering there is to know about buying a property in Mauritania.
Which neighborhoods in Mauritania are expected to see price growth in coming years?
The Mauritania neighborhoods expected to see the strongest price growth in coming years are Teyarett, Riyadh, and select blocks in El Mina where restructuring is most advanced, with estimated annual growth potential of 5% to 12% if infrastructure improvements materialize as planned.
Projected growth rates for each high-potential Mauritania neighborhood:
- Teyarett: Expected annual appreciation of 6% to 10%, driven by spillover from Tevragh-Zeina and road upgrades.
- Riyadh: Expected annual appreciation of 5% to 9%, benefiting from urban resilience investments in Nouakchott-Sud.
- El Mina (restructured blocks): Expected annual appreciation of 7% to 12%, but only in areas with confirmed title resolution.
The single most important catalyst for future price growth in these Mauritania neighborhoods is the completion of drainage and flood control infrastructure, which would remove the livability discount that currently holds prices below their potential in otherwise well-located areas.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Mauritania compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What Do Locals and Expats Really Think About Different Areas in Mauritania?
Which areas in Mauritania do local residents consider the most desirable to live?
The Mauritania areas that local residents consistently rate as most desirable are Tevragh-Zeina and Ksar, where better roads, more reliable electricity, and stronger security create a quality of life that families aspire to when they can afford it.
What locals value most in each of these desirable Mauritania areas:
- Tevragh-Zeina: Perceived safety, proximity to international schools, and the social status of living in the "embassy zone."
- Ksar: Family-friendly environment, established markets, and good access to central Nouakchott services.
The typical resident demographic in these locally-preferred Mauritania areas includes successful Mauritanian business owners, senior government officials, doctors, and professionals who have accumulated enough wealth to afford premium prices.
Local preferences in Mauritania largely align with what foreign investors target, with the main difference being that Mauritanians often prioritize family space and proximity to extended relatives while foreigners focus more on security features and proximity to embassies or workplaces.
Which neighborhoods in Mauritania have the best reputation among expat communities?
The Mauritania neighborhoods with the best reputation among expat communities are Tevragh-Zeina first, followed by Ksar, and then a narrow selection of Teyarett blocks where international-standard housing is available.
What makes expats prefer these Mauritania neighborhoods:
- Tevragh-Zeina: Highest concentration of embassy staff, NGO workers, and international organizations in one walkable area.
- Ksar: Good alternative for expats seeking slightly lower costs while staying in a well-serviced neighborhood.
- Teyarett (select blocks): Appeals to budget-conscious expats comfortable with more local-style living.
The typical expat profile in these popular Mauritania neighborhoods includes diplomatic personnel, humanitarian workers, development professionals, and mining sector employees on rotation, most of whom are housed by their employers and prioritize security and convenience over price.
Which areas in Mauritania do locals say are overhyped by foreign buyers?
The Mauritania areas that locals commonly say are overhyped by foreign buyers are certain blocks of Tevragh-Zeina, and occasionally properties in Sebkha that are marketed as "central" without disclosing flood or service issues.
What locals think is overvalued in each of these overhyped Mauritania areas:
- Tevragh-Zeina (some streets): Foreigners pay premium prices for embassy proximity without checking actual build quality or title clarity.
- Sebkha (marketed as central): Central location sounds good until you experience the drainage problems and power cuts.
What foreign buyers typically see in these areas that locals do not value as highly is the "international neighborhood" label and proximity to diplomatic facilities, which matters less to Mauritanians who have their own networks and know which specific streets actually deliver on the premium promise.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing the experience of buying a property as a foreigner in Mauritania.
Which areas in Mauritania are considered boring or undesirable by residents?
The Mauritania areas that residents commonly consider boring or undesirable are far-peripheral blocks in Dar Naim, outer Toujounine, distant Arafat, and the least-developed parts of El Mina, where limited amenities and long commutes make daily life inconvenient.
Why residents find these Mauritania areas undesirable:
- Far Dar Naim: Long distances to employment centers and limited entertainment or shopping options.
- Outer Toujounine: Unpaved roads and unreliable utilities make routine tasks frustrating.
- Distant Arafat: Few restaurants, cafes, or social gathering spots beyond basic markets.
- Undeveloped El Mina: Ongoing restructuring creates a sense of impermanence that residents find unsettling.
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What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Mauritania, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can, and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| Banque Centrale de Mauritanie | It's Mauritania's central bank, the official reference for exchange rates. | We used BCM data to convert all MRU prices to USD consistently. We also referenced the policy rate environment to understand financing conditions. |
| Numbeo | Transparent crowdsourced data provides usable benchmarks when official data is absent. | We used Numbeo as a city-level price and rent anchor. We then applied neighborhood-specific adjustments based on infrastructure and risk factors. |
| Arab Land Initiative / GLTN | A recognized land governance organization focused on land administration realities. | We used this source to explain title verification risks and registry challenges. We applied tenure risk discounts to neighborhoods with known documentation issues. |
| GFDRR / World Bank | World Bank-hosted facility with official project documentation on urban resilience. | We used GFDRR fiches to identify flood-risk zones and drainage investment areas. We factored these into neighborhood risk assessments and price discounts. |
| DGDPE (Direction Générale des Domaines) | Mauritania's official land and domains authority for title and cadastral access. | We used DGDPE as the reference for title verification procedures. We recommended their channels for due diligence in the buyer checklist. |
| World Bank Moudoun Project | $91 million infrastructure project with official documentation and clear scope. | We used Moudoun data to identify areas benefiting from urban improvements. We referenced project timelines when discussing future appreciation potential. |
| Arab Urban Development Institute | Documents urban masterplanning efforts including transport and road networks. | We used SDAU 2040 references to identify planned infrastructure that could re-rate neighborhoods. We treated plans as scenarios, not guarantees. |
| UCLG / CISDP | Structured case documentation from a recognized local governance network. | We used El Mina restructuring documentation to explain why some areas are cheap. We highlighted ongoing tenure complexity as a key risk factor. |
| AirDNA | Industry-standard short-term rental analytics provider with defined methodology. | We used AirDNA's framework to structure our STR performance analysis. We applied their metrics conceptually even where full datasets were unavailable. |
| Airbnb | The primary marketplace where short-term rental supply and pricing are posted live. | We used Airbnb to verify that STR supply exists in specific Nouakchott neighborhoods. We did not treat it as a statistically complete dataset. |
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