Development of a digitalisation strategy and action plan for the Caisse Nationale de Solidarité en Santé (CNASS) in Mauritania
Project Abstract
1. Background
Mauritania is undergoing a digital transformation across sectors, with health as a strategic priority under its “Digital Agenda 2022-2025”. In this context, the “Caisse Nationale de Solidarité en Santé“ (CNASS), established in 2022, is tasked with implementing and managing a voluntary public health insurance scheme targeting informal sector workers and legally residing foreigners. The CNASS has progressively set up certain digital technologies for its internal procedures as well as its operational activities but is still facing challenges related to administrative efficiency, data management and interoperability. To address these, CNASS, with support from ENABEL has initiated the development of a comprehensive digital strategy and operational action plan to modernize its information systems and strengthen institutional capacity. Swiss TPH was awarded a mandate in February 2025 to support this process.
2. Objectives and Aims
The main goal of the project is to develop a digital strategy for CNASS (2025-2030) and an associated operational action plan. This strategy aims to improve service delivery to its beneficiaries, streamline internal processes and ensure efficient and transparent service management. The specific objectives are to:
- Assess CNASS’s needs in terms of digitalization by identifying gaps and opportunities
- Analyze existing IT systems, infrastructure, security protocols used by CNASS
- Evaluate interoperability mechanisms of CNASS with other health systems and applications used in Mauritania, to ensure an effective integration of data
- Develop a global strategy adapted to the objectives of the voluntary health insurance
- Develop a detailed action plan with milestones, resources and performance indicators.
3. Methods / Approaches
The approach is structured under six main steps:
- Preliminary Phase: Establishing a Steering Committee to oversee the process.
- Stakeholder Mapping: Engaging all relevant actors — including government agencies, health providers, and development partners — through interviews and participatory workshops.
- Document Review: Analysing relevant policies, strategic plans, and comparative experiences (national and international).
- Digital Strategy Development: Facilitating workshops to co-define the CNASS vision, priorities, and core components of its digital transformation.
- Action Plan Formulation: Co-developing a pragmatic implementation plan grounded in CNASS’s capacities and infrastructure realities.
- Institutional Anchoring: Developing a summary of the strategy as a communication document to support ownership and sustainability.
4. Target Groups
The primary target group is the CNASS staff and institutional leadership as the main actors responsible for deploying and managing the digital tools.
5. Further lines of action / next steps
The project is currently under implementation with an onsite mission in May 2025.
