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Mali
>> Regional Overview >> Mali Overview
Previous Years' Activities
2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997
Last updated: 21
THE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE: A landlocked Sahelian country with a per capita income of $250 and a population of 10.5 million, Mali has an agriculturally based economy in which cotton, livestock and cereals predominate. Mali's high level of poverty makes it one of the most compelling cases for development assistance. Mali's development challenges include:
- a rapidly growing population with a fertility rate of 6.7;
- an adult population with 75% illiteracy;
- a low level of agricultural production with limited infrastructure;
- a fragile natural resource environment with a high vulnerability to unreliable rainfall;
- community organizations with limited ability to serve as partners in a decentralized government system;
- a population with 72.8% below the poverty line;
- the fourth highest rate of infant mortality in the world; and
- the thirteenth highest maternal mortality rate in the world.
Mali ranks 153rd out of 162 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index. Infant mortality is 123 per 1,000. 66% of Mali's population is under 26 years old. Notwithstanding its economic problems, Mali has made remarkable progress in liberalizing its economy and has laid the foundation for a vibrant system of decentralized democratic governance. Mali has set an example within West Africa for political and economic liberalization, which is essential for increased U.S. trade and investment. Mali is a force for stability in the region and has been forthright in its support of the United States.
During his May 2001 visit to Mali, Secretary of State Colin Powell said that Mali is an example to the world on how to peacefully transition from a dictatorship to a free and democratic government. Mali has been commended by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund for economic reform, currently illustrated by the government's participatory development of the Poverty Reduction Strategic Plan. Mali has made exceptional progress in market liberalization, having lifted controls on all consumer pricing, including for food and fuel. Decentralized decision-making and effective civic action are progressing steadily, with community-level governing councils operating nationwide.
THE USAID PROGRAM:
FY 2002 Estimate: $32.756 million FY 2003 Request: $32.961 million The Program Data Sheets describe the specific activities to be funded by USAID in FY 2002 and FY 2003. USAID assistance to Mali is concentrated in five strategic areas:
- increasing access to improved health care and basic education;
- increasing economic opportunities and income (largely through agriculture);
- strengthening civil society, community organizations and local government;
- improving access to and use of development information (using Internet and rural radio); and
- enhancing regional stability in northern Mali.
These areas address the priorities of the United States while matching Mali's development concerns. USAID/Mali's strategy supports the Malian government's goal of poverty reduction through private sector-led growth and increased access to health services and educational opportunity. USAID/Mali's strategy is based on a diversified economy offering broad participation by all of Mali's citizens, in order to generate larger amounts of investment, higher incomes and improved living standards.
USAID/Mali plans to use a portion of the FY 2002 funds to implement ongoing programs in health, basic education, economic growth, agriculture, environment, democratic governance, development in the North and information and communication technologies under Mali's Country Strategic Plan FY 1996 to FY 2003. USAID is currently designing a new Country Strategic Plan FY 2003 to FY 2012 that builds upon successes achieved. USAID expects to review Mali's new strategic plan in mid-2002. When approved, USAID/Mali plans to use the balance of FY 2002 funds, in addition to FY 2003 funding, for new programs in health, basic education, economic growth, agriculture, environment, democratic governance, and information technology, under the new Mali Country Strategic Plan that will be implemented from FY 2003 to FY 2012.
USAID continues to be a leader in donor coordination and aid reform in Mali, with active participation in the formulation of Mali's Poverty Reduction Strategic Plan and collaborative efforts at programming assistance to priority sectors, principally in the areas of health, family planning, basic education, decentralization, trade, and agriculture.
OTHER PROGRAM ELEMENTS: Mali actively participates in the Leland Initiative, the Education for Development and Democracy Initiative, the Micro-enterprise Initiative, the Heavily Indebted Poor Country Debt Reduction Initiative, the Internet for Economic Development Initiative, and the Africa Trade and Investment Policy Program. Mali is a partner in the new Cutting Hunger in Africa Initiative and Malian President Konare serves on its Board of Directors. Food For Peace P.L. 480 resources are monetized in other countries to generate local currency that is used for development activities in Mali and neighboring countries under a regional food security program.
OTHER DONORS: The United States is a major donor, ranking third and providing roughly 12% of Mali's total bilateral and multilateral donor assistance in 2000.
In order of importance, the other major donors include: the World Bank, European Union, France, International Monetary Fund, Japan, United Nations agencies, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, Norway, Switzerland, and Belgium. Coordination with other donors is implemented largely through the aid reform initiative of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Donors provided about $300 million to support Mali's development in 2000. Program Data Sheets
- 688-001 Improved Social and Economic Behaviors Among Youth
- 688-002 Increased Value-Added of Specific Economic Sectors to National Income
- 688-003 Community Organizations in Target Communes are Effective Partners in Democratic Governance
- 688-004 Improved Access to and Facilitated Use of Information
- 688-005 Development in the North
- 688-XX6 Reproductive and Child Health
- 688-XX7 Expanded and Improved Basic Education
- 688-XX8 Shared Governance Through Decentralization
- 688-XX9 Accelerated Economic Growth
- 688-Y10 Information Technology
Country Background Information Resources
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
