We Inspire
We light a fire in young people… by training them to see opportunities that others miss, giving them the confidence to view themselves as entrepreneurs not employees and job creators instead of job seekers. We do it by delivering a best-in-class leadership and entrepreneurship program.
We Invest
We go all in … by providing a full life-cycle of support to the most promising entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small businesses. We do it through tailored coaching, skills building, expert mentorship, seed funding, and facilitating connections within and across industries.
We Transform
We go big … by positioning young entrepreneurs to tackle tough problems in key sectors and channeling their talent into innovative, private sector-led solutions. We do this through the Kosmos Innovation Center’s distinctive focus on commercial solutions and local knowledge.
Ghana
Established in 2016, Kosmos Innovation Center Ghana is helping to breathe new life into agriculture, transforming it into an engine of growth and job creation.
Mauritania
Launched in 2018, the Kosmos Innovation Center Mauritania is helping young, entrepreneurial Mauritanians develop the skills to turn ideas into reality.
Senegal
Kosmos Innovation Center Senegal is helping young business leaders in Senegal develop the technical skills needed to grow successful and sustainable businesses.
Kosmos Innovation Center
The Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) invests in young entrepreneurs and small businesses who have big ideas and want to see their country grow.
FAQ Friday: How do I stay motivated when everything slows down in December?
December can feel like one of the hardest months for entrepreneurs. Clients take breaks, partners pause projects and the energy that carries you through the rest of the year suddenly feels distant. If that wasn't enough, you also have lots of emotional labour to squeeze in alongside the usual work. It is easy to mistake this slowdown for a setback, but it can actually be one of the most useful periods for founders.
The first step is to recognise that you do not need constant forward motion to make real progress. December offers something rare: space to think. Use it to step back and reconnect with your purpose. Ask yourself why your idea matters, who it serves and what problem you are committed to solving. When you look back in ten years, a slower month won't stand out as the horrorshow you think it is at the time.
This is also a great time to focus on small wins rather than major milestones. Talk to two or three potential users. Test one tiny feature. Update your pitch. Organise your notes. These actions might feel minor, but they create momentum without adding pressure. Entrepreneurship is built on consistent, low-effort steps repeated over time.
If you feel stuck, return to your community. Reach out to mentors, fellow founders or anyone who understands what you are building. Remember the people you graduated from Kosmos Innovation Center alongside. A short conversation with someone who believes in your work can make a huge difference. Remember that others are slowing down too.
Finally, use this month to plan ahead. Set three clear priorities for January. Map out the conversations you want to have, the experiments you want to run and the challenges you want to solve first. When the new year begins, you will not be starting from zero. You will already be in motion.
Today is the #InternationalDayofPersonswithDisabilities, a moment to recognise the innovation, resilience and leadership of entrepreneurs who build solutions for their communities while challenging barriers every day.
Consequently, we are proud to highlight Diop Abderrahmane, founder of Nutriconseiller, one of Mauritania’s first dedicated nutrition clinics.
Nutriconseiller provides personalised nutritional support, public health education and food safety awareness, with a focus on using local, affordable foods. The clinic delivers community programmes, chronic disease support and practical, culturally relevant nutrition training.
Diop was born with a rare muscular disease and has used a wheelchair his entire life. His personal experience of managing his own health inspired him to address a national challenge: the widespread lack of nutritional knowledge, despite the availability of good local foods.
“I realised how powerful good nutrition can be in preventing disease and improving lives. I wanted to bridge the gap between local food habits and science-based guidance, so I created Nutriconseiller to empower people to take control of their health.”
When he joined the Kosmos Innovation Center programme in Mauritania, Diop faced a new challenge. Coming from a health background, entrepreneurship training felt unfamiliar and fast-paced.
“There were moments I felt out of place, but I kept returning to my reason: making nutrition accessible and life-changing in my country. I did not need to be the loudest voice. I needed to be authentic and consistent.”
With mentorship and practice, his confidence grew. He also discovered a key principle that shaped his journey. “Your story is not a weakness. It is your most powerful tool. People connect with people before they connect with products.”
Since completing the programme, Nutriconseiller has expanded its reach and credibility. Client numbers have grown by more than 130 percent, and the team has secured new partnerships in nutrition education, food security and public health.
Diop’s proudest moment captures what this work means in practice. A mother arrived at the clinic in tears of relief because, for the first time, her child with diabetes had gone a full month without complications, thanks to a simple nutrition plan tailored to local foods.
“It reminded me that nutrition is about hope, dignity and knowledge. Small, accessible changes can transform lives.”
On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we celebrate Diop and all founders who turn lived experience into powerful, community-driven innovation.
Follow their journey and support their work.
#Innovation #InclusiveEntrepreneurship #Mauritania #Nutrition #KosmosInnovationCenter