Mali

Overview

Mali, one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world, ranks 175 out of 187 countries in the United Nations Development Programme's 2011 human development index. Out of a total population of 13.3 million, 51 percent lives on less than US$1.25/day, and 68 percent is under 25 years of age. The country has higher rates of infant and maternal mortality, disease, and malnutrition than most countries in sub-Saharan Africa and an illiteracy rate of 75 percent.

Mali has been a stable country with a democratically elected government since 1991 and as such is considered an example of democracy in the sub-Saharan region. The Government of Mali has a defined vision for the country's development and is taking the lead in its management and coordination.

In recognition of some governance challenges, the Government of Mali has implemented several social and public sector reforms since the mid-1990s. These reforms have resulted in improvements in public financial management, external controls, decentralization, and justice administration.

Mali has untapped economic potential in agriculture. For example, because agriculture employs 70 percent of the labour force, irrigation farming initiatives could have a meaningful impact on reducing poverty and increasing food security.

Mali also has some potential in gold mining and, in the much longer term, in oil extraction.

Thematic Focus

In 2009, as part of Canada's new aid effectiveness agenda, Mali was selected by CIDA as a country of focus. CIDA's program in Mali is directly aligned with the Government of Mali's second Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP II) for 2007-2011 (PDF, 2 MB, 226 pages) and the international donors' Joint Country Assistance Strategy 2008-2011 (in French) for the Republic of Mali. The PRSP II identifies the strengthening of the social sector, food security/agriculture, and structural reforms as Mali's priorities.

CIDA's continued support of the public sector will help ensure fair and effective access to judicial services for citizens and businesses, the accountability of public officials, and adherence to contractual obligations. This will improve the business climate for investments and increase economic opportunities for the poor.

CIDA will also strengthen the capacities of civil society organizations to monitor reforms and ensure national policies focus on poverty reduction.

Children and youth

CIDA is helping Mali to decrease the mortality rate for children under the age of five through improved maternal and child health services. Under the Africa Health Systems Initiative―CIDA's multi-country program―the Agency continues to strengthen Mali's health systems to achieve concrete progress toward the Millennium Development Goals. CIDA is also putting an emphasis on basic education with a view to increasing gross enrolment rate at primary school and providing quality education.

Food security

CIDA supports irrigation and agricultural development projects and promotes the use of new methods and techniques to increase food security and economic growth. In this way, subsistence farmers will increase production, both for their own consumption and for selling in local markets. This effort will help make progress toward food security and price stability in urban centres. CIDA also helps to increase access to credit. This, in turn, will help boost Mali's exports to neighbouring countries, where there is a growing demand, helping increase regional food security.

Progress on Aid Effectiveness

CIDA is fostering greater coordination among Mali's international partners and donors to harmonize development efforts. As the chair of the donor group in 2010, Canada will shape high-level policy dialogue with the Government of Mali. This type and level of interaction and influence is key to CIDA's ability to contribute to effective development and sustainable results in Mali.

In 2008, donors demonstrated their willingness to work together and harmonize development efforts through the joint CAS, which aims to improve the effectiveness of support to the PRSP II by 2011 by ensuring an adequate division of labour.

Accomplishments 2009-2010

Children and youth (2008-2009)

• Helped increase the proportion of assisted births by six percent
• Helped increase the proportion of people living within five kilometres of a functional community health centre to 58 percent
• Helped increase access to basic education by 4.7 percent for both boys and girls

Food security

• Through support of Mali's rice initiative, helped rice producers (both women and men) produce a record 1,604,647 tonnes of paddy rice, with production continuing to grow
• Through Canadian volunteer technical support in microcredit, helped select rural women's associations achieve a 38 percent increase in their revolving loan fund, so that 90 percent of their members were able to diversify their food production and increase their revenue

---

News Releases

• Minister Oda Concludes Trip to Mozambique and Mali to Advance Canada's Muskoka Initiative on Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (2010-08-27)
• Canada and Mali Sign Agreement to Advance Canada's G-8 Muskoka Initiative Commitment to Save the Lives of Mothers, Newborns and Children Under Five (2010-08-23)

---

Note: If you cannot access the documents that are provided in an alternate format, refer to the Help page.