Promoting female entrepreneurship in Mauritania, Benin, and Togo

Context

Women in West Africa launch businesses at high rates, yet they continue to face significant barriers. Most importantly, economic systems in this region often restrict their ability to secure essential funding, access markets, and build business networks. Cultural expectations and social norms further limit their opportunities, while many struggle to find relevant training to enhance their entrepreneurial skills.

Although support programmes exist, most fail to address women’s specific needs. Consequently, female entrepreneurs in Mauritania, Benin, and Togo encounter obstacles that hinder their business growth and broader economic participation.

Objective

Women entrepreneurs in Mauritania, Benin, and Togo have found a supportive environment to start, grow, and innovate in their businesses.

Approach

The project pursues three main measures.

1. It trains representatives from nine entrepreneurship support organisations and incubators in Mauritania Benin, and Togo through workshops in Morocco with experts from Morocco and Germany. Participants build skills, share experiences, and co-design a dedicated support programme and toolkit tailored for women entrepreneurs.
2. The project supports 100 women entrepreneurs in Mauritania, Benin, and Togo with tailored training, peer-to-peer exchanges, and networking opportunities. Eighteen selected women join an intensive learning journey in Morocco to gain advanced support and insights.
3. It expands the regional network for women’s entrepreneurship to promote the exchange of best practices among African support organisations and build connections with German partners.

Last update: May 2025