Central Bank of Mauritania
The Central Bank of Mauritania (البنك المركزي الموريتاني) operates as the central monetary authority overseeing one of the few non-decimal currency systems, notably restructured in 2018 through the transition to MRU polymer banknotes.
Quick Facts
Institutional Identity
The Central Bank of Mauritania oversees one of the most unusual monetary systems in modern numismatics. The ouguiya is divided into 5 khoums rather than a decimal structure, placing it among a handful of non-decimal currencies worldwide. In 2018, the country executed a decisive monetary reform: the old ouguiya (MRO) was replaced at a 10:1 ratio by the new ouguiya (MRU), and all previous banknotes were withdrawn from circulation—instantly transforming them into finite, collectible artifacts.
Historical Evolution
This reform introduced one of the most technologically advanced full-series transitions in Africa. Unlike many countries that mix substrates, Mauritania adopted polymer across its entire modern range (20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 ouguiya). Produced by leading security printers such as De La Rue and CCL Secure, these notes feature transparent windows, SPARK® colour-shifting elements and intricate Cinelm™ security threads—creating banknotes that actively interact with light and movement.
Design Philosophy
Design identity is anchored in the Sahara. Specific landmarks replace generic desert imagery: the ancient libraries and mosque of Chinguetti appear as intellectual and spiritual symbols of trans-Saharan scholarship, while coastal and desert convergence motifs reflect Mauritania’s geographic duality. Islamic geometric ornament and refined calligraphy structure the compositions, giving the series a disciplined yet deeply cultural visual language.
For collectors
For collectors, Mauritania offers a rare dual-track narrative: the large-format paper MRO issues—now fully demonetized and increasingly scarce—and the modern MRU polymer series, one of the most complete and technically sophisticated in the world. The combination of non-decimal structure, full polymer adoption and clearly defined reform boundary makes Mauritanian banknotes a distinctive and high-potential field within African numismatics.