When Habibatou Camara launched her greenhouse-grown vegetable nursery business in Senegal in 2023, she did so with a clear set of ambitions. Operating under the business name Firitel Femme, Habibatou’s venture quickly distinguished itself in the agricultural startup space by providing high-quality seedlings and delivering what Habibatou felt many of her competitors overlooked namely, a strong after-sales support system for farmers.
“The uniqueness of our activity lies in the quality of our seedlings, along with our after-sales follow-up and support service for our farmer clients,” explains Habibatou. “Our rigour and determination to always improve in order to meet our goals are among our greatest strengths.”
The Kosmos Innovation Center Experience
Habibatou joined the Kosmos Innovation Center programme through a WhatsApp link that she was sent, and what she found was more than she expected. “I would say that you must not hesitate to participate in Kosmos Innovation Center given the high quality of the training and coaching, which is excellent,” she says. “The pitch competition also allows you to challenge yourself and improve your public speaking skills.”
As is often the case with Kosmos Innovation Center graduates Firitel Femme has benefited not only from the expert tuition that the company received but from being alongside other entrepreneurs, which helped to foster strong networks. Habibatou fondly recalls one of her fellow participants: “Ndeye Marieme Ndiaye and her Coin des Mangroves project—I really missed her presence because we share the same agroecological values and commitment to positive environmental impact.”
The connections formed during the programme continue to influence Habibatou’s journey, reinforcing her belief in building sustainable businesses that serve both people and the planet.
Scaling Up and Looking Ahead
The ambition driving Firitel Femme is clear: rapid, structured growth with strong environmental and community benefits. The coming year is set to be a transformative one. “Our objective for next year is to double our production capacity—from 25,000 to 50,000 plants every 45 days—reach as many new clients as possible, and install a new production greenhouse in a new location each year.”
This is not growth for growth’s sake. Every expansion is planned with an eye toward impact. Habibatou sees herself not only as an entrepreneur but as a changemaker in the agricultural sector—creating jobs, enabling better food production, and mentoring others. “Being independent and becoming my own boss, creating jobs and value—these are my biggest motivations for becoming an agripreneur,” she says.
She’s also honest about the personal ambition that fuels her drive: “I want to be recognised everywhere for the quality of my work and efforts, and to build an empire as a strong woman.”
From Seedlings to Empire
What makes Firitel Femme more than just a business is its sense of mission. In a market where quality and trust can make or break an agricultural venture, Habibatou is staking her reputation on getting both right. Her seedlings aren’t just products; they are a promise of growth—not just for crops, but for rural livelihoods, environmental responsibility, and women-led leadership in agribusiness.
From the outside, it may look like rows of plants in neat alveolate trays. But for those who know the story, it’s a blueprint for something far larger. Habibatou is planting the seeds of something that will grow far beyond the greenhouse walls.