In Mauritania, women are increasingly taking the lead in entrepreneurship, driven by high ambitions and a strong desire for autonomy. Despite the challenges they face, women's involvement in starting and running businesses is a long-term battle that remains full of hope and opportunity. According to statistics, Mauritanian women are determined to establish and grow their ventures.
The Mauritanian government has stepped up efforts to encourage and support female entrepreneurship by launching programs aimed at improving access to financing, training, and networking. The legislative framework has also evolved to ensure greater economic inclusion of women, reflecting a commitment to achieving equal opportunities. However, despite these efforts, women's participation in entrepreneurship remains below expectations.
Today, Mauritanian women are more educated than ever before, making up over half of university enrollments. Nevertheless, their participation in the entrepreneurial ecosystem remains limited. Access to markets and lack of financing are among the main obstacles facing Mauritanian businesses, particularly those led by women. The majority of women-led businesses are financed from personal or family funds, with only a small percentage obtaining bank loans.
Some sectors offer promising opportunities for women-led businesses, including the circular economy, creative industries, sustainable food production, and personal services. However, financing remains a critical challenge. The evaluation criteria used by banks often fail to consider the specificities of women's projects, which focus on social and environmental impact. There is a need to revisit these criteria to include long-term sustainability and social impact.
Recently, some initiatives have emerged to address these challenges. The National Securities Market Authority has issued specialized bonds aimed at financing women-led projects, making it easier for them to access financial resources. Additionally, the government has developed programs to provide training and support to women entrepreneurs, equipping them with management, leadership, and digital skills.
Networking and support systems are also crucial for women-led businesses. Participation in business clubs, forums, and incubators enables women to build strategic relationships, find mentors, and access new markets. The digital transformation offers unprecedented opportunities for women-led businesses to develop their activities and access international markets.
To fully flourish, women's entrepreneurship requires a comprehensive ecosystem that integrates various economic, financial, and institutional stakeholders. There is a need to go beyond traditional support measures and rethink the approach to accompaniment, including developing targeted policies that prioritize access to public and private contracts and providing specific branding for women-led businesses.
Key points
- The government has launched programs to support women's entrepreneurship, including access to financing, training, and networking.
- Women's participation in entrepreneurship remains below expectations, despite their increasing education and determination.
- There is a need to revisit evaluation criteria used by banks to include long-term sustainability and social impact of women-led projects.
