Regional Governor of Canary Islands seeks stronger migration cooperation with Mauritania

The head of Canary Islands’ regional government, Fernando Clavijo, is on a two day visit to Mauritania to strengthen cooperation on migration control, according to Spanish news platform Atalayar. Mauritania is the main departure point for boats carrying migrants to the Canary Islands, with nearly 9,800 deaths on the Atlantic Route in 2024, making it the world’s deadliest migration corridor. 

Clavijo will meet Mauritanian officials to discuss EU-backed projects aimed at preventing illegal migration and expanding economic opportunities. A key initiative, Tierra Firme, offers vocational training and jobs for youth in Senegal, Mauritania, and Gambia to deter perilous crossings.

Accompanied by a 70-person delegation, including business leaders and university representatives, Clavijo will also seek to strengthen historical trade ties and enhance institutional collaboration. The visit is the largest Canarian mission to Mauritania in a decade, underscoring the archipelago’s growing role in EU-Africa migration policy.