Kajhajdi (French: Kaédi) is a city in southern Mauritania, the administrative seat of the Kurkul region. In 2013, it had a population of approximately 46,000. It is a center of the food and textile industries. The city has a river port (on the Senegalese mainland) and a national airport. Kajhajdi is located in a fertile agricultural region (one of the few in the country) at the mouth of the Kurkul River in Senegal. This location makes the city a regional center for the agricultural trade (primarily millet, sorghum, and vegetables). Kajhajdi is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the country – the local population consists primarily of Moors, Fulani, and Soninke, and its culture displays strong influences from the sub-Saharan cultures of Senegal, in contrast to the Arabo-Mauritian cultures of the rest of the country.
Multiculturalism. Kajhajdi (Kaédi) is a city in southern Mauritania, located on the Senegal River. It represents a unique center of multiculturalism in the country, combining Arab-Berber influences with sub-Saharan culture. The most important characteristics of this region’s multiculturalism include: Ethnic mosaic: The city is one of the most diverse in the country. The population consists primarily of Moors (people of Arab-Berber origin) and black peoples: Fulani and Soninke. Southern influences: Unlike the northern, desert regions of Mauritania, the culture in Kajhajdi displays strong ties to neighboring Senegal. This stems directly from its geographic proximity and proximity to the river border. Agricultural center: Its location in the fertile Senegal River valley makes the city an important trading center, where local agriculture is based on millet and sorghum.
Economy. Kajhajdi (Kaédi) is a city in southern Mauritania, located on the Senegal River. It is a local center of the food and textile industries. The region’s economy is based primarily on agriculture and livestock farming, which capitalizes on the river’s proximity. More broadly, the economy of Mauritania as a whole is based on the extraction of natural resources—primarily iron ore and copper—and fishing. Due to the desert climate and lack of adequate infrastructure, the country must import most of its food and processed goods.
Architecture. The town of Kajhajdi (Kaédi) in southern Mauritania is renowned for its outstanding Regional Hospital. Designed by Italian architect Fabrizio Carola and completed in 1989, the building is a masterpiece of bioclimatic architecture—it utilizes natural methods to cool rooms and let in light. Instead of using the concrete and imported materials typical of the time, the design team based the hospital’s construction on local raw materials and skills. The main features of this unique architecture include: Handmade Bricks: Instead of expensive concrete, bricks fired on-site from local clay were used. Dome Structure: The building consists of a system of interconnected domes and vaults. This shape not only looks beautiful but also acts as a natural air conditioning system—hot air rises and escapes, keeping the building cool. Local Craftsmanship: The project aimed to train residents in new, low-cost construction techniques that they could then use throughout the neighborhood. Thanks to its clever design, the facility effectively protects patients and staff from the heat without the need for expensive air conditioning. The hospital has received international recognition and received the prestigious Aga Khan Architecture Award in 1995.
Kajhajdi Airport is a small local airport in southern Mauritania, located in the Kurkul region near the border with Senegal. It serves mainly domestic flights and facilitates connections to this river city.
River Port. Kajhajdi (also known as Kaédi) is an important center in southern Mauritania, located directly on the right bank of the Senegal River, at the mouth of the Kurkul River. The town serves as a key river and economic hub. Here are some key facts: Location: It is located in the Gorgol region, approximately 435 kilometers southeast of Nouakchott, the capital. River Port: A local river port operates there, allowing navigation and trade along the Senegal River, connecting Mauritania with neighboring Senegal. Economy: Kajhajdi is surrounded by one of the few fertile agricultural regions in the country. Due to its location, it is a major center for cattle, sheep, and goat breeding, as well as rice and millet cultivation. Infrastructure: In addition to river access and ferry crossings, the town also has its own domestic airport.
Kajhajdi, Mauritania Climate and Weather. Kajhajdi (officially known as Kaédi) is located in southern Mauritania in the Senegal River Valley and is characterized by a hot desert climate (BWh classification) transitioning to a semi-arid Sahel climate. This region is characterized by extreme heat for most of the year, with a distinct division between a very long dry season and a short, humid rainy season. Average Temperatures and Seasons: Dry and Hottest Season (March–June): This is the period of extreme heat. The hottest month is May, when average maximum temperatures regularly exceed 41°C–44°C, and at night rarely drop below 29°C. During this period, the harmattan—a dry, desert wind that brings sandstorms—frequently blows. Rainy Season (July–September): Brings humid air masses from the south. Temperatures drop slightly (daytime temperatures around 35°C–37°C), but this is due to a drastic increase in humidity (the heat can feel stifling). The heaviest rainfall occurs in August. However, the average annual rainfall is low, around 172 mm. Dry and milder season (November–February): This is the best time to travel. Temperatures become more bearable, hovering around 32°C–35°C during the day, while nights can be pleasantly cool, dropping to 17°C–18°C (January is the coldest month).
Current weather (July 2026). It’s currently the rainy season in Kajhajdi. Skies can be partly or completely cloudy, with daytime temperatures reaching 32°C–38°C with high humidity exceeding 50-60%. Locally, there are scattered showers and thunderstorms.
