Mali has taken a significant step toward realizing its long-term development goals with a renewed and ambitious partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB).
On Thursday, July 24, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdoulaye Diop received Mr. Lamin Barrow, the AfDB’s Director General for West Africa, for a high-level working visit in Bamako.
The meeting, marked by a spirit of collaboration, focused on laying the foundations for a strategic alliance centered on regional integration, infrastructure development, and food security—sectors vital to Mali’s resilience and economic growth.
Abdoulaye Diop emphasized the national development strategy outlined in the “Mali Kura ɲɛtaasira ka bɛn san 2063 ma” project, a bold roadmap aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The plan envisions modernized governance and inclusive, sustainable development as Mali repositions itself as a leader in the Sahel.
“Infrastructure and food security are not just development issues—they are survival issues for Mali,” Diop noted during the discussions, which touched on major transport and agricultural projects that the AfDB is already supporting.
The minister also underscored the importance of regional cooperation within the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), which includes Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
“Our ambition is to build a regional dynamic based on solidarity and shared development,” he said, echoing Mali’s growing role in Sahel integration.
Mr. Barrow, who assumed his role in June 2024, praised Mali’s leadership and reaffirmed the AfDB’s commitment.
“The African Development Bank is determined to support Mali in its pursuit of harmonious and endogenous development,” he stated.
He confirmed the institution’s willingness to finance major infrastructure and food systems aligned with national priorities.
Barrow brings extensive experience in strategic planning and development financing and is conducting a series of consultations to deepen the AfDB’s support in West Africa.
His visit comes at a pivotal moment as Mali navigates political and economic transitions and seeks strong technical and financial backing.
The strengthened partnership signals a shared determination to build a more resilient and integrated Sahel. As Mali undertakes the reform of its economic model, the AfDB’s support could prove instrumental in turning vision into reality.
The dialogue between Diop and Barrow represents a hopeful step forward—one that may well shape Mali’s future as a prosperous and united force in the region.
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