Mauritania has a growing economy, supported by productive sectors with strong development potential. An exploratory mission identified three strategic value chains: poultry farming, hides and leather, and gum arabic. The poultry sector is steadily expanding and has already created nearly 5,000 jobs; the tanneries in Nouakchott have the capacity to process the country's entire production of hides; and gum arabic, which provides a livelihood for many families, benefits from rapidly growing international demand.

From June 2019 to November 2023, COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale, in consortium with SOS Sahel France, implemented the project “West Africa Competitiveness Support Programme – Mauritania Component”, funded by the European Union, in the regions of Guidimakha and Assaba and in the three wilayas of Nouakchott. As COOPI's first intervention in the country, the project helped strengthen business competitiveness and the commercial integration of stakeholders involved in the three value chains through an approach based on value chain development.

The initiative supported 125 small and medium-sized poultry farms through training, technical assistance and support in accessing credit. In the hides and leather value chain, improved preservation techniques and more sustainable management of production waste were promoted, while in the gum arabic value chain, capacities for harvesting, sorting and storage were strengthened, also fostering dialogue among the sector's various stakeholders.

The project helped make the value chains more organised and competitive by strengthening technical skills and the social cohesion of the communities involved, while promoting more sustainable management of natural resources.