Financing for equity in higher education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students
4. Support for students' living costs
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
In 2020, the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for both sexes was 5.97% and the initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 62.92%. There is no data for initial household funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita.
Tuition-free status
National policies and laws do not mandate public tertiary education to be tuition-free.
Governance
The body which controls higher education oversight and budgets is the Ministry for Higher Education, Science and Research (MESRS). In 2025, it was allocated MRU 2,037,844,270 by the Ministry of Finance.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Higher Education institutions are located in the capital Nouakchott and the city of Nouadhibou. Funding is provided directly to the tertiary institutions from the national government.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
No evidence was found of funding for private universities.
Allocation and equity
Funding is allocated to universities by the MESRS to cover expenses such as staff salaries and operating costs, and is agreed between the institution and the ministry. No data was found regarding the procedure for negotiating this funding.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
Applicants are matched with university places in a process called orientation. In 2025, a digital admissions programme for university applications was launched. No evidence was found of special criteria for admissions.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
A bourse system exists to provide help with tuition and living expenses by distributing scholarships. The current programme was established in 2009, and the application requirements are agreed by the National Commission for Bourses. It is overseen by the Department for Orientation and Bourses (DOB) and distributed primarily according to an academic merit-based criterion. A quota of 8% of places is reserved for female applicants who do not qualify based on the merit-based criteria.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
Some support for student transportation has been provided by the ministry, which included the rental of 41 buses in 2018/19 in its report. Students are able to purchase a bus pass at a lower rate. According to the 2018 Nouakchott transport master plan, fares do not cover the operating expenses of the service. According to a 2021 World Bank Report, Buses are operated by the Urban Transport Company (STP) under the MET (Ministry of Equipment and Transport (MET).
Accommodation
According to the 2009 law, the National Centre for University Works (CNOU) is responsible for student accommodation. It is responsible for furnishing accommodation, as included in its purchase plan of 2023. A new dormitory for female students was opened in 2023. Accommodation is limited and not available to all students.
Textbooks
No evidence was found of support for buying textbooks.
