The ouguiya ( (); sign: UM; code: MRU), at one time spelled "ougiya", is the currency of Mauritania.

Each ouguiya constitutes five khoums (meaning "one fifth"). As such it is one of two circulating currencies, along with the Malagasy ariary, whose division units are not based on a power of ten. As of May 2026, the unit is effectively obsolete since the khoums has practically no purchasing power, and the coins have fallen into disuse.

The current ouguiya was introduced in 2018, replacing the old ouguiya at a rate of 1 new ouguiya = 10 old ouguiya, which in turn replaced the CFA franc at a rate of 1 old ouguiya = 5 francs. The name ouguiya () is the Hassaniya Arabic pronunciation of uqiyyah ), meaning "(Roman) ounce".

First Ouguiya (MRO) Coins In 1973, coins of (1 khoums), 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 ouguiya were introduced into circulation. This was the only year that the khoums was minted, as the ouguiya was worth five CFA francs a khoums was the equivalent of the franc (which had no subdivision). The most recent issues were in 2003 (1 ouguiya) and 2004 (other denominations). Coins are minted at the Kremnica mint in Slovakia. The coinage slightly changed in 2009, with a reduced 1 ouguiya in plated composition and a bi-metallic 20 ouguiya issued. A bi-metallic 50 ouguiya was issued December 2010.

Banknotes In 1973, notes were issued by the Central Bank of Mauritania (Banque Centrale de Mauritanie) in denominations of 100, 200 and 1,000 ouguiya. In 1974, a second series of notes was issued in the same denominations, with 500-ouguiya notes added in 1979. Banknotes have been printed by Giesecke & Devrient in Munich, starting with the second issue.

New banknotes were introduced in 2004. These notes have completely new fronts and the vignettes on the backs have been redesigned to accommodate the reduction in size. The 2,000-ouguiya denomination is entirely new.

A new 5,000-ouguiya denomination dated 28 November 2009 was introduced on 8 August 2010, followed by a redesigned 2,000-ouguiya note dated 28 November 2011 issued on 1 February 2012.

Second ouguiya (MRU) On 5 December 2017, the Central Bank of Mauritania announced a redenomination of its currency at a rate of 1:10. Reducing inflation and the risk of forgery were named as the main reasons behind this move. New coins and banknotes entered circulation on 1 January 2018. As a consequence of this change, the ISO Currency Codes for the ouguiya were amended to MRU / 929.

Coins As part of the redenomination, a new series of coins were issued in denominations of 1 khoums ( ouguiya), 1, 5, 10 and 20 ouguiya, with the latter being struck as a tri-metallic coin. A 2 ouguiya coin was added on 1 February 2019, serving as an intermediate denomination for the 1 and 5 ouguiya coins already in circulation.

Coins of the Mauritanian ouguiya (2017-2018 issue) Image Value Technical parameters Description Date of first minting Diameter Thickness Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse ouguiya Copper-plated steel Plain/Smooth National seal of Mauritania; denomination Fish; denomination 2017 1 ouguiya Nickel-plated steel Reeded/grained National seal of Mauritania; denomination Teapot; denomination 2017 2 ouguiya Stainless steel Reeded/grained National seal of Mauritania; denomination National instruments; denomination 2018 5 ouguiya Nickel-plated steel Plain/smooth National seal of Mauritania; denomination Instruments; denomination 2017 10 ouguiya Bi-metallic coin (Nickel-plated steel center with a Brass-plated steel ring) Segmented (alternating between 10 plain and reeded sections) National seal of Mauritania; denomination Cow; denomination 2017 20 ouguiya Tri-metallic coin (Bronze-plated steel center plug with a Nickel-plated steel inner ring and a Brass-plated steel outer ring) Plain/smooth Camels; denomination

Banknotes As part of the redenomination, a new series of banknotes in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 ouguiya were introduced. These notes are printed entirely in polymer.

On 13 December 2021, the Central Bank of Mauritania issued a 20 ouguiya banknote, co-circulating with the coin of the same denomination in circulation.

In June 2023, the Central Bank of Mauritania issued a new 50 ouguiya banknote in celebration of 50 years of the circulation of the ouguiya in Mauritania, co-circulating with the previous banknote of the same denomination. This banknote was issued in three different varieties, each with a slightly different material composition. The different varieties are distinguishable by the first letter of their serial number (A, B or C). The Central Bank of Mauritania stated that this was intended as an experiment to assess which composition would be best suited to Mauritanias climate and the public. On 22 July 2025 a new 50 ouguiya banknote (serial number starting with "D" and slight design updates) was issued with the composition that turned out to be most suitable.

+Banknotes of the MRU Image Value Dimensions Description Date of Obverse Reverse Obverse Reverse Watermark printing issue withdrawal lapse 20 ouguiya 133 × 60 mm Grand Mosque of Gataga in Kaédi Guelb er Richât (none) 28 November 2020 13 December 2021 Current 50 ouguiya 130 × 66 mm Ibn Abass Mosque in Nouakchott Musical instruments and teapot 28 November 2017 1 January 2018 50 ouguiya Building of the Central Bank of Mauritania and Ibn Abass Mosque 18 June 2023 100 ouguiya 135 × 66 mm Oualata Mosque Cattle 28 November 2017,28 November 2020 1 January 2018 200 ouguiya 140 × 66 mm Ouadane Mosque Camels 28 November 2017 500 ouguiya 145 × 66 mm Tichit Mosque Trawler; fish 28 November 2017,28 November 2020 1.000 ouguiya150 × 66 mmChinguetti MosqueLocomotive of an ore train28 November 2017

Exchange rates

See also Economy of Mauritania

References