Note: This document may not always reflect the actual appropriations determined by Congress. Final budget allocations for USAID's programs are not determined until after passage of an appropriations bill and preparation of the Operating Year Budget (OYB).
MALI
FY 1997 FY 1998 FY 1999 Actual Estimate Request Child Survival and Disease.......... $12,100,000 $11,800,000 $10,384,000 Development Assistance.............. $19,050,000 $24,100,000 $20,216,000 Economic Support Fund............. $350,000 --- ---
P.L. 480 Title II........................... $3,889,860 $1,062,000 $409,255
Introduction
Mali is important to the United States' interests in a politically and economically sound partner in the West Africa region. Mali's economic liberalization is essential for increased U.S. trade and investment in Mali and neighboring countries. Mali's relations with the United States are at a high point. In mid-November 1997, Malian President Konare visited President Clinton in the White House. It was agreed that Mali would expand collaboration with the United States in order to maximize the advantages of U.S. expertise in education, democratic governance, commercial trade and business investment. President Konare affirmed Mali's commitment to a vibrant, free and liberalized private sector and welcomed U.S. business investment in Mali. From his 1996 visit to Mali, Secretary of State Warren Christopher concluded that Mali was an oasis of freedom, a champion of good governance and a model for other African nations to follow.
The Development Challenge
Since the 1991 overthrow of the 23-year-old one-party government, Mali has embarked upon ambitious social, economic and political liberalization. Mali's most important current development challenges are: (a) a rapidly growing population (two-thirds under age 25); (b) producers still struggling to take full advantage of positive economic policy reforms; (c) a fragile natural resources environment; and (d) community-level organizations with limited skills.
As one of the poorest countries in the world, Mali has a per capita income of $250 and a population of 10 million, which is growing at 3% annually. Mali's socio-economic indicators are among the worst in the world. The 1996 infant mortality rate is 122.5 per 1,000 births, the literacy rate is 19% of Mali's population and the rate of primary school enrollment, while steadily increasing, is only 47.5% of Mali's school-aged children. The World Bank also classifies Mali as a severely indebted, low income country. Mali's external debt was equal to 147% of its gross domestic product in 1996. Despite a high debt load, the International Monetary Fund praised Mali for its outstanding performance in economic reform. A decrease in Mali's dependence on foreign assistance hinges upon progress in the expansion of economic growth and the reduction of population growth.
Mali's economic strength was demonstrated by the remarkable 5.1% annual growth in the Gross Domestic Product since the 1994 currency devaluation. Mali has liberalized virtually all consumer prices and made the private sector the engine of its economic development. The Malian Government and its citizens have demonstrated their commitment to social development through improved access, quality and equality in health and educational services. Mali's community leaders strongly support the creation, local financing and community management of schools in order to address a large and unmet demand for basic education. American and Malian private voluntary associations implement well over 30% of the USAID program each year since 1996.
The transparent and fair 1997 presidential and national assembly elections endorsed Mali's commitment to political liberalization. With the peaceful resolution of an armed ethnic conflict in the North and the demobilization of combatants, the Malian Government can now better promote decentralized development. Given these positive signs, the people of Mali are generally optimistic.
Other Donors
Bilateral, multilateral and non-governmental organization donors provided about $550 million in assistance to Mali in 1996. The United States, while not among the five largest donors, provided over 5% of the 1996 total assistance to Mali. Other major donors (in descending order of importance) include: European Union, France, the World Bank, Japan, United Nations agencies, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, Norway, and Switzerland.
FY 1999 Program
USAID activities through 2002 seek to: (1) improve access, demand for and quality of services to help youth development, (2) increase economic growth through investment in major economic subsectors, and (3) help community organizations work with the Malian Government to better govern the country, and (4) improve access to and facilitate use of information through the Internet and community radio systems. The requested FY 1999 funding will provide for significant growth in education, democratic governance, commercial trade and business investment. USAID support to new objective launched in 1998 will help extend these activities to northern Mali, which will improve political and social stability and promote integration of the north into Mali's political, economic and social structures.
The health program supports family planning, maternal child health, sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS prevention. The private sector is very active in the delivery of family planning services. The child survival program supports national immunization programs focused on children's diseases, such as polio. The 1996 Mali-wide demographic and health survey indicated that infant mortality decreased nearly 20% since 1985. However, the persistence of excessively high malnutrition levels among Malian children identified by the 1996 study generated a cause for concern about how to effectively improve children's nutrition levels in tandem with improvements in the economic sector.
The human capacity building program supports establishment of community managed and financed primary schools to enhance school enrollment, especially for girls. USAID also supports improvements in the Malian Government's supervision and management of the Malian primary education system.
The economic growth activities encourage Malian agricultural communities to become more efficient producers and increase their incomes through agricultural best practices and better management of their natural resources. The economic growth activities address resolution of obstacles to increasing the value-added by each stage of producing, processing and marketing in the most important economic subsectors. USAID is a valuable partner supporting Malian legal and economic reforms, including liberalization of cereals marketing, elimination of export taxes and establishment of both commercial courts and administrative courts to resolve disputes. USAID participates in the Africa Food Security Initiative, supporting data collection and analysis on food production and marketing. USAID supports agricultural research, extension, credit and environmental management to assure that Malian farmers increase crop production and export. USAID also supports expansion of the export of non-traditional agricultural products, as well as Mali-U.S. trade and investment initiatives.
The democratic governance activities stimulate community organizations to advocate for improved policies and infrastructure. USAID sponsors training for election observers critical to conducting transparent local elections. Likewise the democratic governance program help community associations and civic action groups to better position themselves to form partnerships with the fledgling local government "commune councils" to be elected in 1998.
The information and communication activities stimulate rural radio stations to disseminate needed information supportive of decentralization and community empowerment. Under the Leland Initiative, USAID supports Mali's private Internet service providers to enhance access to information needed by Mali's private-sector business decision-makers. USAID also supports training to improve user application of the Internet to resolve critical problems.
MALI
FY 1999 PROGRAM SUMMARY
(in thousands of dollars)
USAID
Strategic and Special
ObjectivesEconomic Growth and Agriculture
Population and Health
Environment
DemocracyHuman Capacity Development
Humanitarian
Assistance
Totals
S.O. 1.
Improved Social and Economic Behaviors among Youth
- CSD
- DA
- P.L. 480/II
---
1,512
---
4,544
4,704
---
---
---
---
---
---
---
4,840
---
---
---
---
409
9,384
6,216
409S.O. 2.
Sustainable Economic Growth-- Value-Added from Specific Subsectors
- DA
3,650
---
4,500
---
---
---
8,150
S.O. 3.
Democratic Governance--
Strengthen
Community Organizations
- DA
1,500
---
---
1,500
---
---
3,000
Sp.O 1.
Information &
Communica-
tions - Improved Access to and Use of Information
- DA
500
---
100
250
---
---
850
Sp.O 2.
Promote Stability in Norther Mali Through Broad-based Development
- CSD
- DA
---
500
500
500
---
900
---
100
500
---
---
---
1,000
2,000Totals:
- CSD
- DA
- P.L. 480/II
---
7,662
---
5,044
5,204
---
---
5,500
---
---
1,850
---
5,340
---
---
---
---
409
10,384
20,216
409
USAID Director, James Hradsky
ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: MALI
TITLE AND NUMBER: Improved Social and Economic Behaviors Among Youth, 688-S001
STATUS: Ongoing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1999 $9,384,000 CSD; $6,216,000 DA; $409,255P.L. 480 Title II...........................
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2002
Purpose: To improve social and economic behaviors among youth under the age of 25 and to give young Malians a clear stake in a stable, progressive Mali by boosting as many as possible into the middle class. This will be accomplished through improving national and community capacity in basic education, child survival, reproductive health, environmental education and job skills development.
USAID's Role and Achievements to Date: With USAID assistance, infant mortality has decreased significantly from 145/1,000 births in 1988 to 122.5/1,000 births by 1996. In 1997, the child survival program supported the first Mali-wide Polio Eradication Day immunization effort. Private sector contraceptive sales points increased to 9,500 sites in 1997. Subsequently, oral contraceptive use increased 21% and condom use increased by 25% in 1997. A socially-marketed injectable contraceptive was also launched. USAID is largely credited with the increase in the number of women using modern contraceptives from 1.2% in 1987 to 5% in 1996.
USAID supports human capacity building. The establishment of over 400 community-managed and community-financed schools since 1994 contributed significantly to increasing primary school enrollments from 22% in 1989 to 46.4% in 1997. Gross primary school enrollment for girls expanded from 16% to 38.4% in seven years. The average number of girls completing sixth grade has increased from 23% in 1990 of 40% in 1996. Between 1990 and 1997, the number of girls entering first grade increased by over 100% and enrollment in grades one through six increased by 60%.
Description: USAID seeks two major sets of results with respect to youth: (1) healthier women and men making responsible decisions about child survival and reproductive health; and (2) better educated women and men with skills relevant to the market economy. Both sets of results focus on increasing access to and demand for social services, improving their quality and improving the capacity to provide these services in targeted geographic areas.
Activities will include improving the training of health staff; institutionalizing norms and procedures for child survival and reproductive health; establishing training programs to provide youth with greater job and life enhancing skills; fostering community-managed schools; rehabilitating public-school classrooms; helping the Malian Government improve its management of essential school supplies; institutionalizing school health education programs; and improving the quality and sustainability of Malian Government supervision of education and health services delivery.
Host Country and Other Donors: USAID is a major donor along with the World Bank, Canada, and United Nations Children Fund. Other donors include Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland. The Malian Government funds the human resources associated with these projects.
Beneficiaries: Youth under age 25 years in targeted geographic areas will be the major beneficiaries of this program. The program will have major national impact.
Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: USAID will implement these activities through contracts with private firms, such as John Snow, Inc., and grants to U.S. private voluntary organizations, such as Africare, Plan International, Save the Children Fund, CARE and World Education.
Major Results Indicators Baseline Target Increased contraceptive rates for modern methods among 15-24 years old youth: 5% in 1996 11% in 2002 Increased % of children 1-12 months receiving a full range of immunizations: 21% in 1996 80% in 2002 Increased percentage of 7-12 year old children enrolled in primary school: 42% in 1995 62% in 2002 Increased percentage of students completing sixth grade: 41% in 1995 55% in 2002 Increased percentage of 7 year old children attending first grade: 33% in 1995 56% in 2002
ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: MALI
TITLE AND NUMBER: Sustainable Economic Growth: Value-Added From Specific Subsectors,
688-S002
STATUS: Ongoing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1999 $8,150,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2002
Purpose: To increase the value-added of specific economic subsectors. This will be accomplished through increasing access to financial services and boosting Mali's competitiveness in producing and marketing cereals, livestock, and non-traditional products.
USAID Role and Achievements to Date: USAID supported revision of the National Forestry Code which devolves management control of forests and other natural resources to Mali's local communities. Malian farmers see the benefits of efficient management and use of resources: chemical fertilizer use has decreased by 77.4%, while overall crop production has increased by 93.4% in targeted areas. USAID supports agricultural research and extension, resolution of marketing problems, privatization, export promotion, mobilization of savings, and micro-enterprise. USAID-sponsored research resulted in the adoption of two new cropping practices and eight new technologies in several geographic zones, which have increased farm productivity and income. USAID has contributed to achievement of a 59% increase in agricultural production in the Upper Niger River Valley, a major agricultural zone, between 1989 and 1997.
USAID helped address the obstacles to increasing the value-added by each stage of producing, processing and marketing in the most important economic subsectors. USAID is a valuable partner supporting Malian legal and economic reforms, including liberalization of cereals marketing, elimination of export taxes and establishment of both commercial courts and administrative courts to resolve disputes. USAID helped Mali regain its role as a cereals exporter. Growth in grain production surpassed growth in population between 1989 to 1997. With USAID assistance, savings and loans associations have provided over $750,000 in credit to almost 18,000 Malian women and men. USAID investment in the livestock sector helped producers and traders to increase the value of exports 66 percent from 1994 to 1997.
Description: For each subsector, USAID seeks an improved policy environment, better use of technology, improved skills, and greater access to financing and market-relevant information. For livestock, activities include improving animal production (for cattle and poultry) through feed processing units and privatization of veterinary services; encouraging the use of cattle by-products; developing livestock processing units for meat products, hides and skins; and developing commercial transport of live animals and meat for local marketing and export. For cereals, activities include improving land tenure policies, promoting private and community investment in irrigated rice production, improving natural resource management practices in cereals production, developing cereals-based products and promoting cereals export. USAID supports Malian efforts to increase access to credit and business training. Under the Africa Food Security Initiative, USAID supports improvements in marketing information collection and reporting systems critical to dissemination of food and agricultural products market information. For financial services, activities include developing an improved regulatory framework, developing sustainable micro-finance institutions and increasing access to financial services throughout the country. For non-traditional products, activities include improving post-harvest storage and processing for fruits and vegetables, improving the access of exporters to market information and helping develop new markets and products. USAID also supports Mali-U.S. trade and investment initiatives, including a U.S. business delegation investment workshop in Mali. Together, the private-sector emphasis of this program and USAID's participatory approach are expected to create the demand needed to sustain these activities after USAID funding ends.
Host Country and Other Donors: The World Bank and France are the largest donors in agriculture and natural resources. Other major donors include Germany, the Netherlands, the European Union, Denmark, the African Development Bank and Japan. Several donors, along with the Malian Government and USAID, jointly manage a cereals marketing reform project. Donor coordinating bodies in the sectors of livestock and agricultural research meet regularly. While donors finance almost all of the Malian Government's investment budget, the Government of Mali funds a majority of the human resources development associated with donor projects.
Beneficiaries: The program will have its greatest impact in rural areas, where 80% of Mali's population lives. It also will help increase employment and income in the urban areas, particularly through support of the micro-enterprise activities of women and artisans. Increased personal incomes will have the indirect effect of increasing both consumption of locally-produced products and government tax revenues.
Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: USAID will implement these activities through a contract with Ronco, a disadvantaged enterprise, and through grants to U.S. private voluntary organizations, such as Appropriate Technology International, Cooperative League of the United States of America and World Education.
Major Results Indicators: Baseline Target Increased value added: livestock: $171,000 in 1995 $232,000 in 2002 Increased value added: cereals: $291,000 in 1995 $376,000 in 2002 Increased value added: non- traditional products: $118,000 in 1995 $155,000 in 2002 Increased savings mobilization: $45,000 in 1996 $1,665,000 in 2002 Increased amount of loans: $445,000 in 1996 $2,182,000 in 2002
ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: MALI
TITLE AND NUMBER: Democratic Governance - Strengthening Community Organizations, 688-S003
STATUS: Ongoing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1999 $3,000,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2002
Purpose: To make community organizations in targeted communes effective partners in democratic governance, including decision-making and planning for development.
USAID Role and Achievements to Date: Many of USAID's democratic governance activities have supported local non-governmental organizations and community organizations which have been able to build and manage their own schools and community health centers effectively and to manage their income-producing activities better. USAID activities have contributed to the participation of civil society in development decision-making and advocacy, resulting in increased primary-school enrollment and basic health coverage in Mali, and promoting opportunities for economic expansion. Registration of over five hundred new non-governmental organizations, as well as sixty-six private radio stations and more than twenty-five newspapers, confirms Mali's progress.
Description: USAID focuses on two major areas: (1) helping target community organizations to engage in democratic governance and civic participation primarily at local levels; and (2) helping put in place an enabling environment that empowers community organizations, non-governmental organizations and federations. USAID supports the Malian Government's steps toward decentralization. USAID will provide community organizations with training and technical assistance, fund the creation of local democratic governance information centers, and provide grants for civic action. To ensure sustainability of community organizations, USAID will strengthen the income-generating capacity of local non-governmental organizations, federations and representative partner organizations. USAID will identify, analyze and address constraints in existing regulations affecting community organizations, non-governmental organizations and federations. USAID will also conduct civic education campaigns on decentralization, as well as improve laws and policies affecting the sustainability of community organizations.
Host Country and Other Donors: The Malian Government is in the process of implementing an ambitious decentralization campaign. The following donors are supporting the Malian Government in these efforts: the World Bank, the United Nations Development Program, France, Germany, the European Union, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Canada. The Government of Mali is funding the costs of personnel and management for the decentralization campaign.
Beneficiaries: Community organizations at village and commune levels are the major beneficiaries. By 2002, USAID will reach approximately 750 community organizations in 20% to 25% of the country's 701 communes. Other community organizations in other communes are expected to spontaneously replicate USAID's efforts.
Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: USAID will implement activities through private nonprofit organizations, including U.S. private voluntary organizations such as CARE, Save the Children and World Education.
Major Results Indicators: Baseline Target Percentage of total target community organizations forming good partnerships with local government for services delivery: 21% in 1996 65% by 2002 Percentage of target community organizations expanding development services and activities: 38% in 1996 85% by 2002 Percentage of target community organizations that mobilize non-USAID, non-member resources: 35% in 1996 75% by 2002
ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: MALI
TITLE AND NUMBER: Information and Communications: Improved Access to and Use of Information, 688-SP01
STATUS: Ongoing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1999 $850,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2002
Purpose: To achieve improved access to, and facilitated use of, information through Internet and community radio broadcasting.
USAID Role and Achievements to Date: In collaboration with the Leland Initiative's Internet connectivity effort, USAID analyzed Mali's radio and telecommunications policies, determined no significant restraints to information access and with various partners connected Mali to the Internet in 1997. With USAID assistance, an association of private, community radio stations was created, and community radio station staff received professional, technical and management training. USAID supported creation of a Malian association of private radio stations, also a first in Mali.
Description: Activities will focus on expanding the dissemination of existing information by: (1) enhancing the existing liberal enabling environment associated with the information and communication sector; (2) increasing the number of Malians who obtain and use current development information; and (3) enhancing communications. USAID will support the Malian Government's encouragement of the private sector involvement in the distribution of Internet services. USAID will provide dissemination and management training to community radio stations staff and the federation of free radio stations representatives. USAID will provide community radio stations with critical spare parts and maintenance equipment. To enhance sustainability, USAID will help community radio station managers to develop community programming that responds to people's needs. With USAID assistance, selected private sector, entities will provide on-site access to the Internet and develop the capacity to exploit its multiple resources. An information resources center will be established at USAID to promote and demonstrate Internet use to solve development problems.
Host Country and Other Donors: Mali has established policies supporting community-owned rural FM radio stations and is working with USAID to insure its policies promote the use of the Internet and increased access to government information. To expand Internet services, USAID is collaborating with the Canadian International Development Agency, whose efforts focus on financing telecommunications infrastructure to enhance nation-wide availability. In the community radio sector, USAID has created an inter-donor coordination committee to ensure synergy among actors and to avoid duplication of services.
Beneficiaries: All levels of Malian civil society will benefit from this program. Decision-makers using access to key additional information will lead to more viable activities in health, education, self-governance, trade and investment. Private sector Internet service providers and end-user business entrepreneurs will enhance employment opportunities for skilled members of the Malian work force.
Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: USAID will implement this program primarily through the private sector and with grants through private non-profit organization, including U.S. private voluntary organizations and local non-governmental organizations.
Major Results Indicators: Baseline Target Improved community radio coverage: Increased numbers of radio stations: 46 stations in 1996 100 stations in 2000 Improved access to information through increased number of Internet information providers: 0 in 1996 10 providers in 2000 Increased number of Internet users in Mali: 0 in 1996 3,000 users in 2000
ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: MALI
TITLE AND NUMBER: Promoting Stability in Northern Mali Through Broad-based Development,
688-SP02
STATUS: New
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1999 $1,000,000 CSD; $2,000,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1998; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2002
Purpose: The major thrust of the Special Objective for the North (SPON) is that the people of northern Mali acquire the capacity and confidence to promote stability through broad-based and sustainable local development. This will be enhanced by: (1) strengthening civil society's ability as an effective partner with government in planning and decision-making; (2) increasing economic activity and income; and (3) increasing availability and access to basic social services.
USAID Role and Achievements to Date: This is a new special objective and activities have yet to be launched.
Description: Regional insecurity, unequal provision of services by the Malian Government, low confidence of the populace in local institutions, and shortage of economic opportunities have all led to a lack of stability and economic decline in northern Mali. For sustainable development to occur, the people of northern Mali must be committed and capable of participating in the political, social and economic development of the three regions of Gao, Timbuktu and Kidal.
In partnership with other donors, USAID will embark upon an effort to create the capacity and confidence in the people of the North to undertake broad-based and sustainable local development. This is essential for the stability of northern Mali and for the country as a whole. To work towards achievement of this overall objective, efforts will be concentrated on three main results: (1) civil society is an effective partner with central and local government in development planning and decision-making; (2) economic activity and incomes from productive sectors are increased significantly; and (3) increased availability of and access to basic social services (education and health) approach parity with southern Mali.
Under civil society strengthening efforts, activities to be undertaken may include management training of community organizations, associations, government officials and elected representatives. Assistance to media, mainly local radio, will be considered. To expand and create economic activities, possible interventions include improvement in small irrigation, livestock and handicrafts, micro-finance, emergency relief and environmental protection. To improve basic social services, activities may include development of community schools and improvement of public schools, development of community health centers and improvement of public health centers, and development of potable water resources for humans and livestock. Performance measures will be selected when specific interventions and baseline starting points are identified.
A major criterion for selection of activities to be undertaken will be their sustainability. Although certain social services may not be self-sufficient solely with community support, mechanisms will be explored which increase the potential for self-financing. Economic activities will be thoroughly studied in an effort to lessen risk and increase reliability.
Host Country and Other Donors: A close partnership with Malian governmental bodies is essential for success, as it is the people's confidence that the government is representing their interests which must be achieved. Locally elected bodies and the key ministries of health, basic education, and agriculture will all be participants in SPON. Collaboration and close coordination with other donors, especially World Food Program, United Nations Development Program, United Nations Children Fund, and bilateral
organizations active in northern Mali are essential to leverage resources and to have the greatest impact possible. USAID is already working closely with many of these institutions.
Beneficiaries: Major beneficiaries will include repatriated families displaced by the recent rebellion. These people face limited access to the modest economic opportunities and social services in the North. Another beneficiary is the overall populace in northern Mali, which will benefit from increased stability within northern Mali and throughout the country.
Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: These will be selected through full and open competition.
Major Results Indicators: When interventions are selected in late FY 1998, baseline data will be collected and performance targets and indicators of progress will be identified.
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