The Malian government has announced plans to overhaul the legal framework governing microfinance, in a bid to protect savers and stabilise a sector that has seen rapid expansion in recent years.
The announcement, first made on September 18 in New York, was made public on September 23, 2025.
Microfinance has become a vital part of Mali’s financial landscape.
By December 31, 2024, the country counted 116 licensed microfinance institutions serving more than 1.5 million clients.
Deposits totalled 158 billion CFA francs, while outstanding loans reached 191 billion, according to the Professional Association of Decentralized Financial Systems.
This growth marks a steady rise over the past years.
In 2022, deposits stood at around 145 billion CFA francs and loans at 170 billion, underscoring the sector’s importance. Today, microfinance represents more than 2% of Mali’s GDP and around 5% of total savings mobilised by the formal financial system.
The government has already taken steps to tighten oversight. The former Control and Surveillance Unit for microfinance institutions has been upgraded into a full Microfinance Directorate.
Officials say the new bill will bring national regulations into line with standards set by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), mirroring reforms adopted in Burkina Faso and Benin in 2025.
At a regional level, the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) reported 533 licensed microfinance institutions across WAEMU by the end of 2024, with deposits surpassing 2.3 trillion CFA francs and loans exceeding 2.7 trillion.
Mali accounts for nearly 10–12% of these totals, confirming its position as one of the Union’s key markets.
The reform comes against a backdrop of fiscal pressure, with Mali’s budget deficit projected to fall to 3.4% of GDP in 2025, down from 4.3% in 2024.
Authorities argue that the new framework will secure popular savings, clamp down on unlicensed operators, and enforce stronger governance standards.
Microfinance remains central to financing agriculture, trade, and services—sectors that are critical both to the national economy and to the livelihoods of rural households across Mali.
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