Mali
The Republic of Mali, in West Africa, became independent from France in 1960. The country borders with Algeria to the north, Niger to the east, Burkina Faso to the southeast, Côte d'Ivoire to the south, Senegal to the west, Guinea to the southwest, and Mauritania to the northwest. Its population is estimated to be over 20 million and divided into approximately nine main ethnic groups. The official language is French.
Criss-crossed for centuries by commercial routes relevant not only for inter-African trade but also for the Broader Mediterranean region, Mali connects Sub-Saharan Africa to the Maghreb. The proliferation of illicit traffics in the area, together with the exacerbation of inter-ethnic tensions, resulted in a civil war in 2012, the disruptive effects of which spread throughout the Sahel region.
Total trade between Italy and Mali was estimated at €68 million in 2021. In 2017, the Italian Ministry of the Environment launched a cooperation initiative with the Republic of Mali to combat climate change. Due to the ongoing armed conflict and the presence of important migratory routes that flow directly into the channel of Sicily, Italy considers Mali of strategic importance for its security.
| Head of state | Colonel Assimi Goïta (ad interim) |
| Head of Government | Choguel Kokalla Maïga (Prime Minister of Transition) |
| Institutional Form | Unitary semi-presidential republic |
| Capital | Bamako |
| Legislative Power | Unicameral National Assembly (147 Members) |
| Judicial Power | Supreme Court (19 Members divided in 3 Civil Houses and one Penal House); Constitutional Court (9 Members) |
| Ambassador to Italy | Aly Coulibaly |
| Total Area kmq | 1.240.192 km2 |
| Land | 1.220.190 km2 |
| Weather | Subtropical to arid; hot and dry (February to June); rainy, humid, and mild (June to November); cool and dry (November to February) |
| Natural resources | Gold, phosphates, kaolinite, salt, limestone, uranium, gypsum, granite, hydropower, bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited |
| Economic summary | The economy depends on gold mining and agricultural exports for economics income; cotton and gold make up about 80% of export earnings; about 80% of the labour force is engaged in agriculture and fishing; Mali is heavily dependent on foreign aid |
| GDP | $19.14 billion (Dec. 2021) |
| Pro-capite GDP (Purchasing power parity) | $2228 (Dec. 2021) |
| Exports | $5.05 billion (2020) |
| Export partner | UAE 58.4%, Switzerland 29.7%, Australia 5.61%, Burkina Faso 0.83% (2020) Imports: $3.86 billion (2020) |
| Imports | $3.86 billion (2020) |
| Import partner | Senegal 21.4%, China, 12.1%, France 10.4%, UAE 6.06%, India 4.35% (2020) |
| Trade With Italy | $ 68,5 million (2021) |
| Population | 20.741.769 (2022 est.) |
| Population Growth | +2,95% (2022 est.) |
| Ethnicities | Bambara 33.3%, Fulani (Peuhl) 13.3%, Sarakole/Soninke/Marka 9.8%, Senufo/Manianka 9.6%, Malinke 8.8%, Dogon 8.7%, Sonrai 5.9%, Bobo 2.1%, Tuareg/Bella 1.7%, others 6% |
| Languages | French (official), Bambara 46.3%, Peuhl/Foulfoulbe 9.4%, Dogon 7.2%, Maraka/Soninke 6.4%, Malinke 5.6%, Sonrhai/Djerma 5.6% |
| Religions | Islam 93.9%, Christianity 2.8%, Animist 0.7% |
| Urbanization | 45,4% (2022) |
| Literacy | 35.5% (2022) |
The Republic of Mali, in West Africa, became independent from France in 1960. The country borders with Algeria to the north, Niger to the east, Burkina Faso to the southeast, Côte d'Ivoire to the south, Senegal to the west, Guinea to the southwest, and Mauritania to the northwest. Its population is estimated to be over 20 million and divided into approximately nine main ethnic groups. The official language is French.
Criss-crossed for centuries by commercial routes relevant not only for inter-African trade but also for the Broader Mediterranean region, Mali connects Sub-Saharan Africa to the Maghreb. The proliferation of illicit traffics in the area, together with the exacerbation of inter-ethnic tensions, resulted in a civil war in 2012, the disruptive effects of which spread throughout the Sahel region.
Total trade between Italy and Mali was estimated at €68 million in 2021. In 2017, the Italian Ministry of the Environment launched a cooperation initiative with the Republic of Mali to combat climate change. Due to the ongoing armed conflict and the presence of important migratory routes that flow directly into the channel of Sicily, Italy considers Mali of strategic importance for its security.
