Mali’s population was estimated at 13.92 million inhabitants in 2008. Mali's GNP per capita is estimated at US$ 440 in 2007.  Mali completed a three-year programme in 2007 in partnership with the International Monetary Fund and had a growth rate of over 5% in the same year as a result of a good cereal harvest. Apart from cotton and gold, which, with 65 tonnes, it is the continent’s third largest producer behind South Africa and Ghana, Mali is now banking on its tourism potential with the 250,000 visitor mark crossed in 2007.

Development Policy

The primary agriculture sector occupies a predominant position in Mali’s economy (an average 35% of GDP) and remains the main source of growth. The sector provides the incomes of 80% of the population and 75% of export earnings, and employs over one third of the labour force. The sector has untapped natural (land which can be developed for irrigation purposes), water (surface and groundwater), animal (livestock and large areas of grazing land) and economic (local, regional and international) resources. It is also faced with many constraints, relating mainly to:

• its physical and institutional environment characterized by:
  
  • a rainfall deficit, drought and irregular floodwater levels;
  • repeated cricket infestations and floating weed invasions; and
  • inadequate control of water resources and the technical conditions of production, reflected in low productivity and agricultural incomes;

• issues of land security, factor costs and financing. The rural community, with over 70% of the population, benefits from less than 1% of available access to electric power.

Bank Group Strategy

The Manantali power station, cofinanced by the Bank, was commissioned in January 2002, which strengthened and ensured the security of the interconnected grid. The reforms of the electricity subsector concern mainly the tariff system, which is being finalized.  Since 1970 when Bank Group operations started in Mali, the country has benefited from 92 loans and grants for a cumulative amount of UA 675 million to finance 60 projects, 7 structural and sector adjustment operations, 6 institutional supports, 3 lines of credit and over 16 feasibility studies. The ADB’s Country Strategy Paper (2005-2009) for Mali is focused on 2 priorities: namely the strengthening of competitiveness and improvement of the private sector investment climate, as well as capacity building and the participation of the poor segments of the population in economic life.