Country: Mauritania
Sector: Nutrition, Public Health
Programme: Kosmos Innovation Center
Introducing Nutriconseiller
Diop Abderrahmane is the founder of Nutriconseiller, the first nutrition clinic in Mauritania. His work focuses on personalised nutritional support, public health education, and food safety awareness, with a strong emphasis on using locally available and affordable foods. The clinic also leads community-based projects, conducts nutrition training, and offers tailored programmes for individuals managing chronic diseases.
“I was born with a rare muscular disease (myopathy), and I’ve used a wheelchair my entire life. What inspired me to start Nutriconseiller was witnessing how deeply nutrition is misunderstood and undervalued, especially in Mauritania. I saw so many people, including children, pregnant women, and those living with chronic illnesses suffering not because of a lack of food, but because of a lack of nutritional knowledge.”
“As someone living with a physical disability, I’ve always had to pay close attention to my own health and diet, and I realised how powerful good nutrition can be in preventing disease, improving energy, and transforming lives. I wanted to bridge the gap between local food habits and science-based nutrition, using culturally relevant education and practical tools. That’s why I created Nutriconseiller to empower individuals and communities to take control of their health, starting with what they eat.”
Learning Through the Kosmos Innovation Center
To build the business side of his organisation, Diop joined the Kosmos Innovation Center programme in Mauritania.
“One of the biggest challenges I faced during the programme was adapting to the pace and structure of entrepreneurship training, which was completely new to me. Coming from a background in health and nutrition, I wasn’t used to working with business models, financial projections, or investor-style pitching. At times, I felt lost, and I wondered if I was out of place in a programme with so many talented entrepreneurs who seemed more prepared.”
What helped him navigate this transition was staying focused on his purpose.
“What helped me overcome that doubt was going back to my why – the reason I started Nutriconseiller: to make nutrition accessible, practical, and life-changing in my country. I reminded myself that even if I didn’t speak the business language fluently at first, my impact was real and that mattered.”
“With time, mentorship, and a willingness to learn, I began to grow in confidence. I didn’t have to be like everyone else, I just had to be authentic and consistent. That mindset helped me complete the programme, refine my vision, and believe that my project had its rightful place among innovators.”
The programme also helped Diop develop a key insight about communicating the mission of Nutriconseiller:
“The most valuable lesson I learned is that your story is not a weakness — it’s your most powerful tool. Before the programme, I focused mostly on technical skills and services, but the programme helped me realise that people connect first with people, not products. By learning how to share my journey with honesty and purpose — as a nutritionist, as someone living with a disability, and as a changemaker in Mauritania — I was able to build stronger trust, attract meaningful support, and inspire others. It also reinforced the idea that clarity and confidence in your mission can open doors that strategy alone cannot.”
Real Impact
Since completing the programme, Nutriconseiller has experienced significant growth:
“Nutriconseiller has experienced significant growth, with the number of clients and patients increasing by over 130%. The visibility and credibility we gained through the programme helped us attract new national and international partners, allowing us to engage in larger-scale project management, including initiatives in nutrition education, food security, and public health. We’ve also strengthened our positioning as a trusted voice in nutrition and food safety in Mauritania, which continues to open new doors for collaboration and impact.”
For Diop, one moment captures what Nutriconseiller stands for:
“The proudest moment in my journey was the day a mother came to my clinic in tears, not because she was sad, but because, for the first time, her child with diabetes had gone a whole month without complications thanks to the simple nutrition plan we gave her using local, affordable ingredients. In that moment, I saw what Nutriconseiller really stood for: hope made practical.”
“She told me, ‘For the first time, I feel like I have control, like I can help my child without needing expensive treatments or specialists we can’t afford.’ That conversation stayed with me. It reminded me that nutrition isn’t just about food it’s about power, dignity, and knowledge. It’s about helping people realise that small, accessible changes can lead to big transformations.”
“That single moment gave meaning to all the nights spent building this project from scratch, all the barriers I faced as an entrepreneur with a disability, and all the doubt I had to overcome. It was proof that what we do changes lives, not in theory, but in reality, one family at a time.”
The Growth Phase
“The next big step for me is the expansion of Nutriconseiller, both in terms of services and geographical reach. We’re working to strengthen our presence across Mauritania, not only as a nutrition clinic, but as a national reference in nutrition, food safety, and public health education.”
“At the same time, we’re laying the groundwork to extend our impact beyond Mauritania, starting with partnerships and knowledge-sharing initiatives in the West African region. The goal is to create a model that adapts to local and African cultures while delivering scientific, accessible, and inclusive nutrition solutions — because every country in our region deserves to benefit from homegrown expertise and culturally relevant care.”
“This next chapter is about scaling impact without losing human connection, and I’m more determined than ever to make that vision a reality.”
Connect
Website: www.nutriconseiller.com
Instagram: @nutriconseiller
Facebook: facebook.com/nutriconseillerr