Market Research in Mauritania, Africa

SIS Market Research Mauritania, Africa

Neighborhoods

Located in Northwest Africa, Mauritania is one of the poorest countries in the world. However, its mixed pot of people makes the country unique. In fact, some sources refer to Mauritania as the Eye of Africa. It’s a vast country, the eleventh largest sovereign state on the continent. The Atlantic Ocean washes its shores to the west. Mali is to the east, Western Sahara is to the north and northwest, and Algeria is northeast.

The capital of Mauritania is Nouakchott, and it is also the country’s largest city. Some of the other major cities in Mauritania are Nouadhibou, Atar, Kiffa, and Rosso. French is the primary language spoken in Mauritania. Therefore, some of the cities’ names are French. Mauritania’s name comes from the ancient Berber Kingdom. This kingdom existed from the third century BCE into the seventh century CE.

The main religion in Mauritania is Islam. Almost the entire population is Muslim. This religion also has significant influence in Morocco, Algeria, and other neighboring countries.

On April 7, 2018, the government made atheism a crime punishable by death. In fact, Mauritania is one of thirteen countries in the world with the death penalty for atheism.

Mauritania is a desert country, with about 90 percent of the land being within the Sahara. So, most Mauritanians live in the south, where there is water.

Because of severe, extended drought, the desert has been expanding since the mid-1960s. As a result, many Mauritanians are nomads moving from place to place, tending their flocks. Thus, they have no permanent place of abode.

Key Industries

Mauritania has plenty resources like iron, fish, and oil. However, the majority of people in Mauritania remain poor. The country’s economy is agriculture- and livestock-based, and many of the major industries are derivatives of the country’s natural resources.

Mauritanians rely on exports and natural resources. Some of their natural resources include gold, diamonds, phosphate, gypsum, copper, and oil. Unfortunately, the political climate is one of the reasons that most of its citizens live in poverty.

Although Mauritania imports many items, the country has a sound export system. Some of the primary exports are:

Iron
Gold
Frozen fish

Mauritania has several trading partners, including China, France, the United Arab Emirates, and Spain.

Customer Base

The population is dependent on imported foods such as wheat, sugar, and rice, despite the country’s high production rate in metal and oil. More than forty percent of Mauritanians live below the poverty line. As a result, many of the children suffer from malnutrition.

Reasons to Grow Your Business in Mauritania

At present, Mauritania faces grinding poverty, and the economic outlook is bleak. However, economists expect this situation to change within the next decade. They forecast that Mauritania will be moving into privatized industry.

There is plenty of room for agricultural and tourism development in Mauritania. Moreover, the agrarian investment will lessen the considerable dependency on imported food.

Mauritania, being rich in fisheries and minerals, is sure to be profitable for you. In addition, the tourism field holds much potential because of the country’s rich culture. Mauritania also has prehistoric ruins, which is another plus for tourism.