Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Mauritania Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Nouakchott's property market is included in our pack
This article covers the current housing prices in Nouakchott and what experts expect for the coming years.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest data and market conditions in Mauritania's capital city.
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 Nouakchott.
Insights
- Nouakchott property prices have risen about 5% to 8% over the past 12 months, with prime districts like Tevragh Zeina seeing gains closer to 10% to 12%.
- The price gap between Nouakchott's outer districts and prime areas is roughly four to one, with city centre properties averaging around 260,000 MRU per square meter compared to 65,000 MRU in peripheral zones.
- Nouakchott's population is growing at nearly 4% per year, reaching about 1.6 million residents in 2025, which keeps housing demand strong across all segments.
- The Central Bank of Mauritania cut its policy rate to 6% in 2025, but mortgage access remains limited, so most Nouakchott purchases still happen in cash.
- Gross rental yields in Nouakchott typically range from 2% to 3% in prime areas and 3% to 5% in mid-market neighborhoods, making tenant targeting essential for investors.
- Coastal flooding and drainage issues create persistent price discounts in some Nouakchott neighborhoods, with resilience projects slowly changing risk perceptions in areas like El Mina.
- The GTA offshore gas project is now producing, which supports job creation and high-end rental demand, though its full impact on Nouakchott property prices will unfold over years.
- Nouakchott does not have an official house price index, so all estimates rely on triangulating macro data, crowd-sourced benchmarks, and local market signals.
What are the current property price trends in Nouakchott as of 2026?
What is the average house price in Nouakchott as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated average purchase price for a residential property in Nouakchott ranges from about 18 million to 30 million MRU, which translates to roughly $450,000 to $760,000 or €420,000 to €700,000.
When you look at prices per square meter in Nouakchott, the blended average across common home types sits between 110,000 and 160,000 MRU per square meter, or roughly $2,770 to $4,030 per square meter and €2,560 to €3,720 per square meter.
To give you a realistic sense of what most buyers actually pay in Nouakchott, about 80% of residential transactions fall between 65,000 MRU per square meter in outer districts like Dar Naim (around $1,640 or €1,510 per square meter) and 260,000 MRU per square meter in prime areas like Tevragh Zeina (around $6,550 or €6,050 per square meter).
How much have property prices increased in Nouakchott over the past 12 months?
Property prices in Nouakchott increased by an estimated 5% to 8% in nominal terms between January 2025 and January 2026, with the market showing steady but not explosive growth.
The range of price increases varies quite a bit depending on property type and location in Nouakchott, with prime districts like Tevragh Zeina and Ksar seeing gains of 8% to 12%, while outer areas like Dar Naim and parts of Arafat rose more modestly at 2% to 6%.
The single most significant factor driving this price movement in Nouakchott has been the combination of contained inflation and ongoing economic confidence, supported by Mauritania's gas sector development and relatively stable macro conditions.
Which neighborhoods have the fastest rising property prices in Nouakchott as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the three neighborhoods with the fastest rising property prices in Nouakchott are Ksar, Tevragh Zeina, and Teyarett, each benefiting from different demand drivers.
Ksar is seeing annual price growth of roughly 10% to 12% due to its central location and active buyer-seller market, while Tevragh Zeina matches that pace thanks to its prestige status and limited land supply, and Teyarett is growing at about 7% to 9% as spillover demand pushes buyers into this improving district.
The main demand driver behind these neighborhoods is the combination of land scarcity in established areas, steady expat and upper-income demand, and ongoing infrastructure improvements that make daily life more comfortable in Nouakchott.
By the way, you will find much more detailed price ranges across neighborhoods in our property pack covering the real estate market in Nouakchott.
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 property types are increasing faster in value in Nouakchott as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the property types increasing fastest in value in Nouakchott are modern apartments (especially secure or serviced units), followed by villas in prime districts, and then affordable houses in outer areas like Dar Naim.
Modern apartments in Nouakchott's prime and mid-market areas are appreciating at roughly 8% to 12% annually, outpacing other property types because they match what both expats and upper-middle-class local buyers want most.
The main reason apartments are outperforming in Nouakchott is that they offer security features, reliable utilities, and parking in a market where these basics are not always guaranteed, making them easier to rent and resell.
Finally, if you're interested in a specific property type, you will find our latest analyses here:
- How much do properties cost in Nouakchott?
- How much should you pay for a house in Nouakchott?
- How much should you pay for lands in Nouakchott?
What is driving property prices up or down in Nouakchott as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the top three factors driving property prices in Nouakchott are economic confidence from the energy sector, continued population growth creating housing demand, and infrastructure improvements that make certain neighborhoods more livable.
The single factor with the strongest upward pressure on Nouakchott property prices is the energy-sector narrative, particularly the GTA gas project, which has boosted investor sentiment and supports high-end rental demand from professionals working in the sector.
If you want to understand these factors at a deeper level, you can read our latest property market analysis about Nouakchott here.
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What is the property price forecast for Nouakchott in 2026?
How much are property prices expected to increase in Nouakchott in 2026?
As of early 2026, property prices in Nouakchott are expected to increase by about 6% to 10% over the course of the year, with prime areas likely at the higher end of that range.
The range of forecasts from different analysts for Nouakchott varies from a cautious 0% to 4% in a downside scenario (if energy sentiment cools or affordability bites harder) to an optimistic 10% to 15% if construction constraints and energy-linked demand align favorably.
The main assumption underlying most price increase forecasts for Nouakchott is that Mauritania's macro stability will continue, with GDP growth around 4%, inflation staying near 2% to 3%, and no major shocks to investor confidence.
We go deeper and try to understand how solid are these forecasts in our pack covering the property market in Nouakchott.
Which neighborhoods will see the highest price growth in Nouakchott in 2026?
As of early 2026, the neighborhoods expected to see the highest price growth in Nouakchott are Ksar, Tevragh Zeina, Teyarett, and Dar Naim, each with distinct demand profiles.
Projected price growth for these top neighborhoods ranges from 8% to 12% for Ksar and Tevragh Zeina, 7% to 10% for Teyarett, and 5% to 8% for Dar Naim, reflecting differences in supply constraints and buyer pools.
The primary catalyst driving expected growth in these Nouakchott neighborhoods is the combination of limited land availability in established areas and gradual infrastructure upgrades that improve livability.
One emerging neighborhood in Nouakchott that could surprise with higher-than-expected growth is El Mina, particularly pockets where coastal protection and drainage projects are measurably reducing flood risk.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Nouakchott.
What property types will appreciate the most in Nouakchott in 2026?
As of early 2026, the property type expected to appreciate the most in Nouakchott is secure modern apartments, followed closely by prime villas and well-built affordable houses in outer districts.
The projected appreciation for top-performing modern apartments in Nouakchott is around 8% to 12% for the year, driven by strong demand from both expats and local upper-middle-class buyers.
The main demand trend driving appreciation for apartments in Nouakchott is the preference for security, reliable utilities, and ease of maintenance, which are harder to guarantee in standalone houses.
The property type expected to underperform in Nouakchott is ultra-premium villas priced in USD for a small international buyer pool, as these can sit on the market longer and face liquidity challenges.
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.
How will interest rates affect property prices in Nouakchott in 2026?
As of early 2026, the impact of interest rate trends on Nouakchott property prices is modest because most transactions happen in cash rather than through mortgages.
The Central Bank of Mauritania's policy rate currently sits at 6% after gradual cuts in 2025, and mortgage rates for those who can access them typically range from 12% to 18% per year, making borrowing expensive.
A 1% change in interest rates in Nouakchott would have a limited effect on overall prices because mortgage penetration is low, though it could help some mid-market buyers at the margin and slightly boost demand for affordable properties.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Mauritania.
What are the biggest risks for property prices in Nouakchott in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three biggest risks for property prices in Nouakchott are energy or investment disappointment that dents sentiment, an affordability squeeze if prices outrun incomes, and persistent climate and flooding risks in vulnerable neighborhoods.
The single risk with the highest probability of materializing in Nouakchott is the affordability squeeze, because if prices keep rising at 6% to 10% while wages grow more slowly, demand will shift toward smaller or outer-district homes.
We actually cover all these risks and their likelihoods in our pack about the real estate market in Nouakchott.
Is it a good time to buy a rental property in Nouakchott in 2026?
As of early 2026, buying a rental property in Nouakchott can make sense if you purchase with a clear tenant profile in mind, whether targeting local middle-class renters or expats, and avoid overpaying for prestige properties with thin rental demand.
The strongest argument in favor of buying a rental property now in Nouakchott is that steady population growth of nearly 4% per year and ongoing urbanization keep rental demand consistent, especially for mid-market apartments near employment centers.
The strongest argument for waiting before buying in Nouakchott is that rental yields in prime areas are relatively low at 2% to 3% gross, and if you buy at the top of the market, vacancy periods can hurt your returns more than modest appreciation gains help.
If you want to know our latest analysis (results may differ from what you just read), you can read our assessment on whether now is a good time to buy a property in Nouakchott.
You'll also find a dedicated document about this specific question in our pack about real estate in Nouakchott.
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Where will property prices be in 5 years in Nouakchott?
What is the 5-year property price forecast for Nouakchott as of 2026?
As of early 2026, cumulative property price growth in Nouakchott over the next 5 years is expected to reach 35% to 55%, assuming macro stability continues and infrastructure investments proceed as planned.
The range of 5-year forecasts for Nouakchott spans from a conservative 25% to 45% in outer districts to an optimistic 45% to 70% in prime areas like Tevragh Zeina and Ksar if sentiment and supply constraints align favorably.
The projected average annual appreciation rate over the next 5 years in Nouakchott is roughly 6% to 9% per year compounded, which is solid but not spectacular growth.
The key assumption most forecasters rely on for their 5-year Nouakchott predictions is that Mauritania's energy revenues will translate into sustained economic activity without major external shocks or dramatic policy reversals.
Which areas in Nouakchott will have the best price growth over the next 5 years?
The top three areas in Nouakchott expected to have the best price growth over the next 5 years are Ksar for its liquidity and central demand, Teyarett for its upgrade and spillover story, and Dar Naim for its affordability-driven volume demand.
Projected 5-year cumulative price growth for these top-performing areas in Nouakchott ranges from 40% to 60% for Ksar and Teyarett, and 30% to 50% for Dar Naim, reflecting different risk-return profiles.
The 5-year outlook is similar to the shorter forecast in terms of which neighborhoods lead, but the longer horizon gives more weight to infrastructure completion and resilience improvements that take time to change perceptions.
The currently undervalued area in Nouakchott with the best potential for outperformance over 5 years is El Mina, specifically pockets where coastal protection works are credibly reducing flood risk and improving daily livability.
What property type will give the best return in Nouakchott over 5 years as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the property type expected to give the best total return over 5 years in Nouakchott is mid-market secure apartments, which combine reasonable appreciation potential with steady rental demand.
The projected 5-year total return for mid-market apartments in Nouakchott, combining both appreciation and rental income, is roughly 50% to 75%, depending on location and quality of the building.
The main structural trend favoring apartments over the next 5 years in Nouakchott is the continued preference for security, reliable utilities, and ease of maintenance among both expats and local professionals.
The property type offering the best balance of return and lower risk over 5 years in Nouakchott is well-built affordable houses in growth districts like Dar Naim, which offer better yields even if appreciation is slightly more modest.
How will new infrastructure projects affect property prices in Nouakchott over 5 years?
The top three major infrastructure projects expected to impact Nouakchott property prices over the next 5 years are the Nouakchott power plant expansion, coastal protection and drainage works under WACA and GFDRR programs, and the regional transmission corridor improvements.
Properties near completed infrastructure projects in Nouakchott typically see a price premium of 10% to 20% compared to similar homes in areas without those improvements, because reliable power and lower flood risk directly improve daily life.
The specific neighborhoods that will benefit most from these infrastructure developments in Nouakchott are El Mina (from coastal protection), Teyarett (from power and road improvements), and Dar Naim (from general urban upgrading under the Moudoun Project).
How will population growth and other factors impact property values in Nouakchott in 5 years?
Nouakchott's population is growing at nearly 4% per year and is projected to reach about 1.9 million by 2030, which will keep housing demand strong across all market segments and support property values.
The demographic shift with the strongest influence on property demand in Nouakchott is the continued rural-to-urban migration, as people move to the capital seeking jobs, services, and better opportunities.
Migration patterns, both domestic inflows and the presence of international workers and refugees, are expected to support rental demand and property values in Nouakchott, particularly in mid-market and affordable segments.
The property types and areas that will benefit most from these demographic trends in Nouakchott are mid-market apartments in central and semi-central locations and affordable houses in growth districts like Dar Naim and Teyarett.
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 is the 10 year property price outlook in Nouakchott?
What is the 10-year property price prediction for Nouakchott as of 2026?
As of early 2026, cumulative property price growth in Nouakchott over the next 10 years is expected to reach 80% to 130%, assuming no major shocks and continued macro stability.
The range of 10-year forecasts for Nouakchott spans from a conservative 30% to 70% in a downside decade (if shocks hit and infrastructure and risk issues persist) to an optimistic 140% to 200% if energy investment broadens and resilience projects materially reduce risk discounts.
The projected average annual appreciation rate over the next 10 years in Nouakchott is roughly 6% to 9% per year compounded, similar to the 5-year outlook because the same structural drivers apply.
The biggest uncertainty factor in making 10-year property price predictions for Nouakchott is whether coastal and flooding risk discounts will shrink meaningfully, which depends on infrastructure projects being completed and maintained over time.
What long-term economic factors will shape property prices in Nouakchott?
The top three long-term economic factors that will shape property prices in Nouakchott over the next decade are the durability of the energy and mining cycle, whether inflation stays credibly contained, and the pace of infrastructure and resilience improvements.
The single long-term economic factor that will have the most positive impact on Nouakchott property values is sustained energy revenues from the GTA project and related investments, which support jobs, incomes, and high-end rental demand.
The single long-term economic factor that poses the greatest structural risk to Nouakchott property values is climate and coastal vulnerability, because if flooding and drainage problems persist, entire neighborhoods will remain discounted.
You'll also find a much more detailed analysis in our pack about real estate in Nouakchott.
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 Nouakchott, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| ANSADE (Mauritania statistics agency) | It's the official national statistics agency publishing the CPI for Mauritania. | We used it to anchor inflation and housing-related cost pressures. We also used its regional coverage notes to keep assumptions Nouakchott-specific. |
| ANSADE CPI methodology | It explains how Mauritania's CPI is constructed and what it can tell us. | We used it to avoid pretending CPI equals house prices. We used it only for inflation context, not as a direct price index. |
| IMF Mauritania country report | The IMF is a top-tier source for macro forecasts that drive housing demand. | We used it to set the 2026 demand backdrop and stress-test our price forecast scenarios. |
| World Bank Mauritania macro outlook | It's an official World Bank macro note used by investors and policymakers. | We used it to frame the 2026 to 2027 trajectory. We used it as a second anchor to cross-check IMF projections. |
| World Bank Data inflation series | It's a standardized dataset for sanity-checking inflation levels and trends. | We used it to confirm inflation is relatively contained. We then translated that into real versus nominal price thinking. |
| Wise USD/MRU exchange rate history | Wise provides transparent historical FX snapshots that are easy to verify. | We used it to convert MRU-per-sqm estimates into USD-per-sqm. We used early January 2026 levels for time consistency. |
| Numbeo Nouakchott property data | It's transparent about sample size and widely used as a directional benchmark. | We used it as a starting point for price-per-sqm by city centre versus outside. We applied conservative adjustments rather than treating it as ground truth. |
| US State Department Investment Climate Statement | It's a government publication summarizing major economic drivers and conditions. | We used it to validate the timing of GTA gas production and investor sentiment. We used it as a macro demand tailwind input. |
| Reuters GTA gas project reporting | Reuters is a high-quality outlet for time-stamped, attributable reporting. | We used it to keep the energy narrative honest about operational hiccups. We used it to build a downside scenario where sentiment cools. |
| GFDRR urban resilience project fiche | It's part of the World Bank disaster-risk ecosystem and focuses on Nouakchott. | We used it to link flooding and coastal risk to neighborhood-level pricing. We used it to explain why some cheap areas stay cheap. |
| WACA coastal protection program | WACA is a well-known coastal resilience initiative in West Africa. | We used it to support the idea that coastal protection can raise nearby desirability. We used it cautiously because infrastructure alone does not guarantee a price boom. |
| African Development Bank Nouakchott power project | It's the AfDB's own project database entry, making it a primary source. | We used it to support the infrastructure-improves-livability channel. We used it as a 5-year demand-quality input. |
| European Investment Bank transmission corridor project | It's the EIB's official pipeline description, making it a primary source. | We used it to frame medium-term improvements in power distribution. We tied it to which expansion areas could become more livable. |
| La Depeche policy rate reporting | It's a local newspaper report attributing the decision to the BCM meeting. | We used it only for the directional message that policy became more supportive. We did not assume mortgages suddenly became cheap or widely available. |
| African Development Bank economic outlook | It's an authoritative source for African economic growth and investment trends. | We used it to cross-check GDP and inflation projections. We used it to validate gas revenue expectations for Mauritania. |
| Coface Mauritania country risk file | Coface provides independent country risk assessments used by businesses. | We used it to understand growth and risk factors. We used it to validate energy sector timing and potential delays. |
| MacroTrends Nouakchott population data | It provides standardized urban population estimates based on UN data. | We used it to project housing demand from population growth. We used it to estimate the pace of urbanization in Nouakchott. |
| Population Stat Nouakchott projections | It offers forward-looking population projections for cities worldwide. | We used it to estimate the 2030 population for 5-year demand forecasts. We cross-checked it against other sources for consistency. |
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If you want to go deeper, you can read the following: