Mauritania: Feasibility study for promotion of value chains and employment in the fisheries sector

Project Background

The objective of the intended project in question, which was to be financed by German financial cooperation, was to promote wealth creation and employment in the Mauritanian fisheries sector. The fish processing enterprises - Very Small Enterprises (VSE) (<10 employees) and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) (10-250 employees) - were to be the starting point for the project. The project aimed to provide financial support mainly to the following sectors: Capacity Building and Financing Mechanisms. 

Objectives

The services provided were divided in two phases with the following objectives:

Phase 1 (Exploratory study): The objective of the first phase was to explore and concretise two options for the approach and promotion measures of the project (measures in capacity building and financing). Phase 1 served as a basis for a KfW discussion with BMZ. The options had the potential to differ in terms of focus on training, private sector financing or innovation and in terms of recommended intervention approaches. The first phase was approximately 4 months and included one mission for 7 experts in Mauritania.

Phase 2 (Feasibility): The objective of the second phase was to develop in detail one of the options chosen by BMZ and KfW in order to make the option bankable. This had included the definition of indicators, the structuring and governance of the project, the modalities of implementation, a cost estimate and a detailed risk analysis. Phase 2 had served as the basis for KfW's appraisal mission in September and the drafting of the project proposal to BMZ. The second phase lasted approximately 4 months and included one mission for 8 experts in Mauritania.

Activities and/or Results

• Sectorial assessment / swot and need assessment for capacity building and financing sector
• Conducted interviews and concertation workshops with fisheries value chain stakeholders (private sector, public institution, donors, etc…)
• Elaboration of the Exploratory report that is presenting the sectorial review, and projects options
• Identification of the main actor in the fish processing landscape and in the banking sector
• Identification and assessment of the political partners for the project
• Design and financial calculation of the 19 million euros financial cooperation project for the small pelagic fish processing for human consumption
• Implementation of national workshops for presentation of findings and proposition of project design and content
• Delivered the final feasibility study to KFW and one version simplified for the political partner as well