Mali

Mali, a landlocked country in the Sahel, faces serious demographic pressure and a number of challenges. First, the reduction of poverty, both rural and urban. AFD has supported the country in four areas: infrastructure, human development, rural development and the private sector. 
In view of the evolution of the political and security situation, France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs announced on November 16, 2022 the cessation of Official Development Assistance from France to Mali. 
AFD thus suspended all of its activities in this country in November 2022.
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Mopti, A seller on quays, Mali
AFD and Mali: Combating poverty and preserving peace
Mopti, A seller on quays, Mali

Suspension of activities

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Suspension of activities

In view of the evolution of the political and security situation, France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs announced on November 16, 2022 the cessation of Official Development Assistance from France to Mali. 

AFD thus suspended all of its activities in this country in November 2022. 

More information on the Ministry's website

Facilitating access to drinking water

Young Malian girl drinking fresh water from the pump

Facilitating access to drinking water

Population growth makes facilitating access to drinking water for all a crucial issue. It is for this reason that AFD operated in both the capital, Bamako, and rural areas. We took action on two components: sanitation and water management

We have built up a large number of projects over the years, including for the drinking water supply in 18 municipalities in the Mopti and Kayes regions, construction of wastewater and water treatment plants in Kabala, upstream from Bamako, and the creation of two public water resources management companies.    

Reforming the energy sector

Solar panels on a wind farm in Mali

Reforming the energy sector

The State-owned company EDM manages electricity production and distribution in Mali and purchases energy from Côte d’Ivoire. It is loss-making, which causes cash-flow problems and slows down the investments required in a sector where demand increases by 10% a year. The Malian Government aims to launch major reforms to extend the transmission and distribution grids, raise power generation, and supply rural areas with electricity.

AFD was on hand. For example, it financed the construction of the Manantali hydropower dam, on a tributary of the Senegal River, which is today Mali’s main source of renewable energy supply. It also developed hybrid solar-thermal grids to electrify rural communities. In addition, it worked to optimize the interconnection of the grids of Mali, Senegal, Mauritania and Guinea

Getting back to quality education

Young girl in her class in a school in Mali

Getting back to quality education

Education is a priority for Mali’s development, in view of its demography and young population. Progress was achieved in the 2000s, but the political crisis in 2012 has put a stop to this. A large number of schools had to close in the north and center of the country. 

The challenge lies in getting back to quality education and extending access to education. AFD took action, especially for girls, semi-nomad children and the poorest. 

In 2013, we launched the construction of five high schools and have improved education provision in the North regions (Gao). We also financed vocational training in construction and agricultural activities (construction of two training centers in Ségou and Sikasso). 
 

Strengthening agriculture

Agriculture watermelons in Katibougou Mali

Strengthening agriculture

The agricultural sector is a pillar of Mali’s economy and employs some 80% of the population. While there is surplus grain production, agricultural production continues to be hindered by unfavorable environmental factors (insufficient rains, poor and fragile soils). In addition, the processing of agricultural products for export is hampered by the country’s low level of development and landlocked geography.

AFD took action to structure agricultural sectors. It supported concerted and sustainable natural resources management in the Ségou and Timbuktu regions, strengthened food security in irrigated areas around the Niger River, promotes sustainable agricultural practices on family farms which grow cotton, and improved agricultural product processing. 

To reinforce investments in rural areas, we supported access to financial services (credit, microfinance), for example, with the creation of the National Agricultural Development Bank (BNDA) in 1981.  
 

Supporting the private sector

A Malian in his sewing workshop, private sector Mali

Supporting the private sector

The challenge lies in creating high-quality jobs and training future employees in the industrial sector.

To achieve this, AFD supported companies via dedicated financial tools: loans to local banks, risk-sharing mechanisms (ARIZ), PROPARCO's financing, microfinance and support for productive investments made by Mali’s diaspora. 

Supporting the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation

Surgeons in the operating theater with a patient who has to have an operation at Somine Dolo Hospital in Mali health sector

Supporting the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation

The Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation was signed in 2015. Following this diplomatic success, AFD operated in Mali’s northern regions and had a broad scope of actions, including in education, health, water, energy, family and pastoral farming, local development, governance.

Its actions were based on the principles of decentralization, a political tool identified as a major success factor for the implementation of programs, and a vehicle for reducing the country’s weaknesses. 
 

355
Million euros committed between 2019 and 2021
39
Million euros in loans issued in 2021
1
million people benefit from access to drinking water in and around Bamako thanks to AFD-financed projects

A significant part of Mali’s population of 20 million lives below the poverty line – more than 44% in 2021, according to World Bank estimates. Life expectancy does not exceed 60 years. Mali suffers from a number of structural disadvantages, such as an arid climate, an economy based on few raw materials, and weak public governance. 

In addition, global warming is weakening the agricultural sector, which represents the principal source of employment in this country.

Mali is also affected by a security crisis that has hit the North and center of the country since 2012-2013, as well as by a serious crisis of governance characterized by the coups d'état of 2020-2021.

Despite the country's instability, and in solidarity with the Malian population, AFD committed to finance the country’s development needs, with the other members of the Sahel Alliance.

Mali was indeed a priority country for French aid. In 2021, AFD committed nearly €40 million in grants in the country, focused on projects aimed at improving governance and the health of the people. 

A partner of Mali since 1958, AFD has intervened in priority areas through loans, grants and technical support. 

In November 2022, AFD suspended its activities following the end of French Official Development Assistance to Mali announced by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

The AFD Mali agency is attached to the regional office for the Greater Sahel.

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