Mauritania, a small Islamic Republic in West Africa, is a gold mine for investors and we are going to show you how to start a business in Mauritania and the best business opportunities in Mauritania.
On the internet, when you search for business opportunities, you will find a repeated list of sectors in Mauritania to invest in. More often than not, these sectors are more large enterprise investor friendly. What about you and your small/medium-scale capital? What business opportunities in Mauritania can you invest in?
Mauritania is still relatively undeveloped but with a growing population of young people and a wealthy few seeking to improve the country's economy by embracing technology and a more modern lifestyle. This is a big deal since Mauritania is a country where donkeys co-exist with flashy cars and desert tents struggle for space with modern infrastructure.
Learning about how to start a business in Mauritania may just be what you need. As with the right knowledge, you would benefit from grassroots patronage and word-of-mouth marketing which is still the most efficient form of marketing in Mauritania. Mauritanians are loyal to brands that are commonly used by others. So the more you are talked about, the more likely you are to enjoy a monopoly, and yes, you can open several branches of that business in other parts of the country and still enjoy the same brand loyalty.
Advantages of investing in Mauritania
The government of Mauritania has made the process of doing business in Mauritania easier. With the investment in certain regions and sectors, investors benefit from tax exemptions for 5 -10 years, exemption from VAT and customs duties on certain products exported from Mauritania, and a simplified licensing and registration procedure.
Business registration and document processing usually take 5 - 10 business days.
Sole proprietorship businesses, on the other hand, are registered in the Tevaragh Zeina area of Nouakchott, and the process takes 48 hours, after which you will be issued your business certificate if your documents are in order.
The personal income tax in Mauritania is calculated in this manner:
Residents of Mauritania are taxed on their worldwide income. However, if they are being taxed for an income earned in another country, they wouldn't be taxed in Mauritania. Non-residents are taxed only on their income gained in Mauritania.
Most economic activities are taxed at a 16% VAT rate.
Small business opportunities in Mauritania
Starting a business in Mauritania is a great idea when you know what sector to invest in. We have compiled a list of investment opportunities in Mauritania that are in high demand with great profits.
African Hair Salons
African hair salons are not common in Nouakchott (capital city). Most salons cater to Arabs, Caucasians, and women of other races with natural silky hair. It is hard to find hair salons that are black women hair friendly except if you live in areas like Teyarett that have a high population of Africans from other West African countries who import their African culture, love for braiding, and hair extensions.
Hair extensions and weaves are also scarce on the Facebook marketplace and are often pricey when available. Most black foreigners and even black Mauritanians have to make do with the lack of these salons and rock-low haircuts if they can't find dedicated salons that cater to black hair.
Opening a hair salon or a chain of hair salons that braids black women's hair at affordable prices and sells a variety of wigs, hair extensions, and black women's hair products would enjoy great patronage in Mauritania, especially in Nouakchott (Tevargh Zeina, Ksar, AL Dar-Naim, Sebkha, etc.).
Women of Color Cosmetic Products
Mauritania women love to look beautiful and even those that do not use heavy makeup take care of their skin. However, most beauty and cosmetic products are white-skin friendly. In Mauritania, a caste system is upheld, and dark women from lower castes do not whiten their skin as they could be discriminated against, and it could be misunderstood as them trying to change their real identity.
Blacks from other West African countries, however, do not face this discrimination and can use any skincare products, including whitening cosmetics. This means they can benefit from the wide range of skincare products that are specially made for fair to white skin, unlike black Mauritanians who are restricted by the caste system
This has resulted in a high demand for black skin care products that brighten/polish dark skin, multiple shades of makeup foundation for black women, compact powders, and even lipstick shades that go well with various black skin types.
Most cosmetics and makeup are often sold in specialized makeup studios, high-end cosmetics shops, or big foreign-owned supermarkets, which are located in the heart of Tevargh Zeina. With the current transportation system, local taxis only go from one designated stop to another. Other means of transportation include privately owned cars where 4 people sit in the back seat and 2 people sit in the passenger seat beside the driver.
These vehicles do not go to far distances and it can be hard to determine if a random private car is being used as a taxi. The only way to find out is if the private car stops when you wave your hand and call the name of your destination. This means you can only go as far as where the owner of the car wishes to go.
Car-hailing apps that work like Uber, on the other hand, are used by a few locals and mostly foreigners as it's private and can go any distance, unlike the previously mentioned transportation mediums. The downside for most Mauritanians is that it is pricey with few drivers available. This is not a sustainable transportation option for local black women who would have to go from the innermost towns in Nouakchott covering a distance of 1-3 hours or more just to buy expensive makeup that does not match their skin type in makeup studios or big supermarkets deep in the heart of the more developed areas of Nouakchott.
So shops that sell makeup and cosmetic products that cater to black skin in highly populated towns, both in the developed and less developed areas of Nouakchott, would enjoy a monopoly.
Black women have the right to look beautiful in their skin and black women in Mauritania are willing to pay for this luxury if it is made available to them.
Tech Training Hubs
Tech skills are in demand worldwide and they will always be in demand. Establish on-site tech hubs across Nouakchott and teach tech skills like data analytics, software development, cyber security, digital marketing, social media management, cloud engineering, UI/UX design, product management, graphics design, branding, etc, for a fee. Courses should be multilingual and taught in English, French, or Arabic, with students having the option to choose the language they prefer to learn in. Current competitors for this business are few in Mauritania so you have nothing to worry about. It would also be to your advantage to create live online classes that operate alongside your physical tech hubs in Arabic, French, and English for Mauritanias who live outside Nouakchott.
Family Friendly Recreational Centres
Mauritanians love to go out but there is little to see or do for fun in Mauritania. In terms of fun places to visit, there are several remarkable places to hang out with loved ones in Mauritania, and there are reputable tour agents that can show you around these beautiful places. However, in general, there are few places to create special memories with your loved ones in Mauritania, and a recreational center can make a difference.
Think amusement parks and theme parks, open-air fairs that encourage the daily sale of a variety of food, gaming activities, and crafts sale where people can visit with loved ones, buy food, play games, win prizes and purchase crafts, learn to make DIY fun crafts for a fee.
You can throw in a private zoo or specialized domesticated pet centers for kids, large aquariums with exotic sea creatures, water fountains with nature-themed seats and spots for families or romantic picnics, specialized mini museums (displaying exotic artifacts), mini-documentary cinemas that show interesting historical (or any niche) documentaries with popcorn & drinks sold at the venue. Explore virtual reality and establish virtual reality centers where people pay to watch virtual reality movies or play virtual reality games after purchasing a ticket on your website or in your physical store.
Mauritania may seem like a poor country but it is rapidly developing. Its citizens can pay for things they want, especially fun activities that they are in dire need of. Most foreigners also love Mauritania for its relative peacefulness and your clientele would include more of these foreigners who have very little source of entertainment in Mauritania.
Libraries
Research has shown that reading skills are rapidly declining in humans, true but in Mauritania, it's the opposite. With a limited Western education system, many young Mauritanians are interested in knowledge that is not limited to Islamic knowledge. They are hungry to learn about the rest of the world, other languages (especially English), and other cultures.
Books commonly found in Mauritania are Arabic books and religious texts. Unfortunately, many Mauritanians use the internet with more focus on social media like Facebook. This means very few of them take advantage of online libraries, and a lesser number use Google to search for in-depth information. This does not, however, diminish the interest young Mauritanians have in learning.
More Mauritanians are shifting attention from French to English (a deliberate effort to reestablish an identity outside French influence), so a private library that provides a healthy balance of books written in French, English, and even Arabic on different subject matters for kids & adults would be an instant hit.
Book lending may not be a good idea in Mauritania and the library may operate at a loss. It would be more profitable to charge an hourly fee for readers to sit and read any book of their choice in the library. Mauritanian youths may also see this as an opportunity to socialize which means more young people would be using such a library as there are currently fewer opportunities for socialization amongst young people of the opposite gender.
The interior decoration, as well as the amenities (constantly clean and segregated restroom, air conditioning system) and multilingual librarians (employees who speak English, French & Arabic), are factors that determine the success and popularity of this library, and you wouldn't need to advertise your business if they are all on point.
Word-of-mouth referral still works faster than Facebook Ads in Mauritania. Keep affordability and large space (the bigger the building, the better) in mind. Another idea is to have a cluster of private libraries across different areas of Nouakchott. More libraries, more money for you.
Private Beach Resorts
Nouakchott, the capital city, has beautiful beaches but a private beach resort is something that stands out from the rest. Rich people want things other people can't afford and if they can pay the price, so be it. While it may not be a good idea to create a private beach resort that only the rich can afford, it would be a good business choice to create one for the rich and upper middle class and just about anyone who can afford the price you charge.
Incorporate eco-lodges in your resort. A 1- 2 bedroom ensuite eco-lodge in the shape of an African hut or the shape of a local Mauritania tent would be eye-catching. Mini soft drink bars, snack shops, and restaurants can co-exist on this resort. Throw in kiosks that sell sunscreen, beach hats, and locally made souvenirs. Larger designated areas can house huge tents which can be beautifully decorated and rented for weddings and other events.
Car Wash Service
Mauritanians love their cars, and they drive them hard, but anything else can gather dust as long as it's not the Mauritanian's car. Establishing a car wash business would make you a good deal of money in Nouakchott.
Mauritania is a desert country with no way to avoid the dust that embraces almost everything in Mauritania. There are currently few car wash services, but many Mauritanians have expressed a desire to have access to more car wash services, and they will readily pay for such services. You can make extra cash by including a carpet/rug washing service as, more often than not, Many Mauritanians use carpets/rugs in their homes, and over time, these get dirty. Not everyone can afford the expensive vacuum cleaners sold in the country.
Expect a long queue in Mauritania with their carpet and rugs if your carpet washing & drying services are fast, efficient, and affordable.
Industrial Cleaning Services
Till recent years many Mauritanians lived life like their ancestors. As a predominantly nomadic people except for migrants from Senegal, Mali, and Niger who settled in Mauritania many years ago, most Mauritanias used to live in tents, and many still do. Regular access to water supply was not common, and as a result, many people had to live in unsanitary conditions.
More people are slowly adjusting to modern life and the constant availability of water and electricity. Unfortunately, there is almost a non-existence of a cleaning culture in Mauritania. Cleaning is done by dark-skinned Mauritanians who used to be slaves, and most of the upper castes do not clean their homes or environment by themselves. This is based on the mindset that it diminishes their social status. However, though more Mauritanians are moving away from racism and backward cultural mindsets, these mindsets still prevail and affect even the professional environment.
Cleaning standards of the lower caste Mauritanians who are expected to handle cleaning jobs, more often than not, do not match basic cleaning standards as they are used to living in dusty environments where dust defeats everyday cleaning habits. It is very common to find offices, hotels, and large homes untidy and dusty in Mauritania.
An affordable cleaning company that provides daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning services for offices, hotels, and large residential buildings would be a very successful business. You can start this business with basic cleaning supplies.
The important thing is the result, which is a clean building that is free from dust, stains, and cobwebs. The need for a dedicated and affordable cleaning agency can not be overemphasized.
Currently, it is hard to find a local in Mauritania who does thorough cleaning. So you would make a lot of money and enjoy monopoly catering to the needs of local and international companies, hotels, and homeowners who need a person who does the job thoroughly. Selecting your cleaning crew in Mauritania is equally important.
Most West Africans that recently migrated to Mauritania do not have a caste problem and do not find it beneath them to do a cleaning job as long as they are well paid. Also, because, more often than not, they are from a society that does not involve the nomadic way of living, they are used to cleaning their environment regularly and they can be expected to do the cleaning job more efficiently. Pay them well!
Language Centers
Many Mauritanians are interested in learning English as a second language but there are currently few English tutors and few English teaching institutes in Mauritania. With the focus shifting from the French language, a dedicated English language center consisting of a mini classroom, marker board, and projector can be a good way to earn an income in Mauritania.
You don't need to rent a big space and it is okay if your classroom can only fit a maximum of 20 people at the beginning. Interested clients can be put on a waiting list or offered an online version of your English course with an experienced English tutor leading the live online classes you provide. Classes can run for 6 months - 1 year, with certificates given for different course programs (Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced). Charging for each level is more profitable, and classes can be divided into 3 timelines (morning, afternoon, and evening classes) to accommodate each program beginner, intermediate & advanced).
In Mauritania, American English is favored over British English so if you are running an American language center, your business would market itself with minimal effort from you in Mauritania.
Your current competitors are universities that offer English as a professional course and American/British language Institutes in Mauritania. One thing that these competitors lack, however, is a follow-up culture. Most of their graduates do not have English speakers to practice their English with, and their vocabulary gets rusty over time.
You can make more money by creating an English practice class for Mauritanians who already speak English but have a limited vocabulary. Get a few English-speaking foreigners who speak the English version you teach in your center (American or British) and negotiate an amount as a weekly or monthly payment for them to practice English conversations online or physically at your language center with the Mauritanians who wish to improve their English vocabulary.
E-commerce Store With a Physical Warehouse
Run your own online Amazon store that lists products you store in your warehouse in Mauritania. Sell random things from makeup to clothes, books, durable/portable power banks, and musical equipment. Anything you can't find on the Facebook marketplace in Mauritania, more often than not, is something you can't easily find in Mauritania, and it is likely in high demand.
In recent times, more Mauritanians are turning to online and physical digital tutors that teach them about mini-importation, especially how to shop cheaply from the Alibaba website. Be the Mauritania Alibaba.
Run an online survey on Facebook to find what most Mauritanians shop for. Most women are looking for beauty, clothes, and body-enhancing products. Men want gadgets, the latest electronics, and equipment. Create a Buyer persona and make sure it cuts across the different races & ethnicities in Mauritania (Arabs, black Mauritanians, west Africans).
Next, segment these buyer personas based on their ages and get a more accurate determination of what they would likely shop for. This would help you stock up on sellable items that would be sold on your E-commerce website.
Final tip, whatever is random, affordable, trendy, and a bit controversial (without getting you into trouble with the government) is something that would get the attention of Mauritanians. When you eventually start this business, don't forget to join local Mauritanian Facebook and Whatsapp groups and post flyers of your business in French and Arabic to advertise your business.
Your website should also be able to translate into English, French, and Arabic. Share flyers physically outside mosques and in crowded markets. Mauritania likes new things and would check you out. Don't forget to include your Facebook and Instagram pages on your flyer, as most of your customers in Mauritania mostly use Facebook and Instagram.
Furnished Hostels
Many people want to live in places like Tevragh Zeina, which has the highest number of embassies, amenities, and businesses. The presidential palace is also located in the Tevragh Zeina area of Nouakchott. Tevargh Zeina, however, is a more expensive place to live in, and a furnished hostel costs less than a furnished studio apartment (in Mauritania, this means a 1 bedroom apartment, and the words “studio apartment” are used interchangeably with “1 bedroom apartment”) would get a lot of patronage.
You can run a cluster of furnished hostels in Tevragh Zeina, Ksar, and Sebkha for men and women. You can also include a family-friendly hostel where 2 families can share a furnished 2-bedroom hostel, with each room containing 2-4 bunk beds. Both families (husband and wife with or without kids) would share a kitchen and the living room space. Ensuite bedrooms can have a slightly higher price than bedrooms in which the occupant has to use an outer bathroom.
Other hostels can be for individual renters with bedrooms that have 2 beds or 4 bunk beds. The more privacy, the higher the fee. Amenities are shared, and they can be rented daily, weekly, or monthly.
Furnished apartments are relatively in abundance so you may not make much money when competing with already established competitors. Hostels, on the other hand, are a novelty. Cleanliness has always been an issue for tourists who use hotels and furnished apartments in Mauritania, so it's in your best interest to employ a dedicated housekeeper who cleans the hostel, especially the environment, the bathrooms, and the kitchens, every day.
The cleaning bill can be included in the hostel rent bill. Word-of-mouth referral can not be overemphasized, and you would be surprised at how the reputation of having a 24/7 clean and affordable hostel would draw regular Mauritanians and tourists to your hostels.
Conclusion
Other small business opportunities in Mauritania that you can invest in include gaming centers, cinemas, family-friendly Karaoke bars (that sell soft drinks, snacks & grilled meats while featuring popular Arabic and international music genres), vocational centers (offer vocational trainings that include sewing, shoe & bag making, hairdressing & hair barbing, interior decoration, catering, welding, driving, cake baking, etc.).
Opening a bakery (cupcakes, baked snacks & variety of bread) is also a good business idea as well as the establishment of makeup studios for women of color, spas, mobile food stores, restaurants, electronics and appliances stores, solar energy businesses, and wholesale & retail fish processing equipment (sell small, medium and large machines for drying & smoking of fish and other sea creatures) store.
Now that you know that there are a million and one ways to make money in Mauritania, take a step further by learning more about the cost of living in Mauritania and where to find quality unfurnished apartments for you and your family.
Or learn more about the requirements for starting a business in Mauritania.
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