BAMAKO, Oct 12 – The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have discussed Mali’s economic outlook and development financing needs as the country prepares to implement a five-year strategy targeting $800 million in investment mobilisation by 2031.
The discussions took place at the AfDB’s office in Bamako, where the Bank’s Country Manager for Mali, Cédric Achille Mbeng Mezui, met an IMF delegation led by the Fund’s Mission Chief for Mali, Ivohasina Fizara Razafimahefa.
The two institutions reviewed their respective assessments of Mali’s economy, engagement with domestic stakeholders and the government’s investment priorities. They also considered reforms that could support long-term structural transformation.
At the centre of the discussions is the AfDB’s 2026-2031 Country Strategy Paper, approved in April 2026. The framework seeks to mobilise $800 million from the Bank’s resources and co-financing partners to support Mali’s development agenda.
The strategy aligns with the country’s 2024-2033 National Strategy for Emergence and Sustainable Development, known as SNEDD, and prioritises resilient infrastructure across agriculture, transport and energy.
“The new Country Strategy Paper provides us with a framework to mobilise more financing, develop resilient infrastructure and deepen our engagement with the private sector,” Mbeng Mezui said.
Infrastructure and Development Financing
The AfDB’s planned support builds on decades of engagement in Mali. Since beginning operations in the country in 1974, the institution has approved approximately 117 projects worth $4.3 billion.
Its current portfolio comprises 15 active projects, 14 of which are in the public sector, with total commitments of around $478 million.
For the 2026-2028 period, the Bank’s Indicative Operational Programme includes five sovereign operations with a combined value of $419.37 million. The programme provides a financing pipeline for projects aligned with the wider country strategy, particularly in energy, road transport and skills development.
The Bank also intends to expand opportunities for private-sector investment, with an emphasis on employment creation for young people.
Expanding Private-Sector Participation
Beyond public infrastructure, the AfDB is identifying investment opportunities in Mali’s financial sector and strengthening engagement with domestic businesses.
The institution has established a formal consultation framework with the National Employers’ Council of Mali (CNPM) to improve dialogue with private-sector stakeholders and identify opportunities for investment.
Another component involves mobilising the Malian diaspora to contribute more directly to productive economic activity. This includes mapping diaspora networks and identifying industries and value chains with potential to attract investment.
These initiatives are intended to broaden the sources of financing available to Malian businesses and complement public-sector investment in infrastructure and human capital.
Razafimahefa said the meeting helped the IMF better understand the development financing that Mali could receive from its partners.
“Close dialogue between partner institutions is important for maintaining a common understanding of the country’s economic challenges and supporting the priorities identified by the Malian authorities,” he said.
The AfDB and IMF said they would continue coordinating their engagement and identifying reforms to support Mali’s structural transformation, in line with the country’s Mali Kura 2063 Vision and the SNEDD development strategy.
The proposed $800 million mobilisation target will depend on financing from the AfDB and its co-financing partners, alongside the development of viable projects and continued engagement with public- and private-sector stakeholders.
