Ra’idat 2025 Showcases Mauritania’s Top Women Entrepreneurs

August 11, 2025

Four standout women-led businesses secured seed funding at the conclusion of the 2025 Ra’idat entrepreneurship program at the DAI-implemented Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) Mauritania.

The program was initially established to boost women’s participation in KIC Mauritania’s flagship Mauritania Innovation Challenge (MIC), which empowers the next generation of business leaders in Mauritania through a rigorous program of training and development for young entrepreneurs. To address the low number of women applying for the program, in 2019 MIC organizers launched a bootcamp to support women’s entrepreneurial skills.

In 2023, Ra’idat became a standalone program dedicated to strengthening female entrepreneurs’ skills and providing opportunities to launch and grow their businesses through targeted training and mentorship.

This year, the program received more than 300 applications, and 10 finalists were selected from diverse sectors including education, technology, food and drink, and fashion. These female entrepreneurs completed a comprehensive curriculum covering product development, go-to-market strategies, financial management, and pitching.

The program culminated in a live pitch event before a panel of expert judges from the banking, entrepreneurship, and innovation sectors. Finalists were evaluated on the value proposition, market potential, and financial feasibility of their product or service, as well as the technical capabilities and strength of their team.

Members of Hirva receive their prize money. Photo courtesy of Kosmos Innovation Center.

Taking top honors was Hirva, an artisan collective founded by six women who create handcrafted pieces made from resin, pottery, and concrete—all inspired by Mauritanian culture. Their arts and crafts collection ranges from practical items such as bowls and mugs to decorative pieces such as paintings and sculptures.

Second place went to Elmegva, a food-processing business that prepares and distributes nutritious, preservative-free couscous and instant drinks. Creating new versions of traditional Mauritanian recipes, Elmegva aims to promote Mauritania’s culinary traditions by expanding the business to international markets.

In third place, Raddo Technologies impressed the jury with its focus on cybersecurity, AI, cloud computing, and digital project management tools. Founded by Fatou M’bodj, the company provides customized training and consultancy services to small businesses, NGOs, public institutions, and young professionals to expand access to digital tools across Mauritania.

The final winner was Learniverse, an edtech startup using virtual reality to bring immersive, curriculum-aligned content to underserved schools. The Learniverse platform provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional labs and educational field trips, bridging gaps in learning opportunities by transforming the way science, history, and culture are taught.

Artisans from Elmegva won second prize. Photo courtesy of Kosmos Innovation Center.

Completing the Ra’idat 2025 cohort were six other promising ventures: Workplace, a coworking hub for freelancers and entrepreneurs; Pro Henna, which modernizes traditional body art with innovative stencils; EcoRice, producing low-cost poultry feed from recycled rice by-products; FyraCare, a wellness center offering maternal care and stress relief; Mania Textile, reviving hand-dyed fabrics for fashion and home goods; and La Ferme à Mayo, which delivers fresh eggs and artisanal mayonnaise to local markets.

Through Ra’idat, KIC Mauritania continues its mission to promote inclusive innovation and support a new generation of women entrepreneurs committed to solving real challenges in their communities.