Mali is a sparsely populated, predominantly desert country with a highly undiversified economy. It is vulnerable to commodity price fluctuations and to the consequences of climate change. 

Among the 25 poorest countries in the world, Mali is a landlocked country that depends on gold mining and agricultural exports for revenue. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger River and about 65% of its land area is desert or semidesert.

Mali has achieved an impressive round of reforms in its push to make it easier for entrepreneurs to set up and for all investors to conduct business. 

The government of Mali has committed to transforming the country’s business climate by boosting local and foreign investment. In partnership with the World Bank Group Investment Climate team, the government has implemented a number of key business reforms

This World Bank sites discusses the procedure to establish a new business in Mali

This World Bank sites discusses the procedure to establish a new business in Mali

This site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Mali. 

Current Mali Corporate Tax Rate: 48.30%

This site provides a detailed summary of the taxes and mandatory contributions that a medium-size company must pay or withhold in a given year, as well as administrative burden in paying taxes.

If you’re working in Mali under a permanent contract, many employers will handle your tax under the PAYE (pay-as-you-earn) system. This means that they calculate and process your taxes in Mali for you and then send you a net wage. Your income tax, public health insurance, social security and other deductions will all be covered by this payment.

The Sales Tax Rate in Mali stands at 18 percent.

According to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Mali Sales Tax Rate | VAT is projected to trend around 18.00 percent in 2020, according to our econometric models.

Full detail on passports, visas and entry requirements for Mali, including types and costs

Online visa service

64 tips on getting to and getting around Mali from real travelers and locals.

The quality of Malian roads is moderate at best and downright treacherous at worst, especially after floods in the rainy season. All major roads have police checkpoints and are poorly lit after dark. 

Mali has market penetration rates below African averages in all market sectors except mobile where it is now racing towards the 100% mark. 

There are two major mobile telephone operators, Ikatel (a subsidiary of Sonatel, of Senegal) and Malitel (a subsidiary ofSOTELMA, the state owned telecommunications company). The domestic telephone system is unreliable but improving

This site provides a detailed summary of some of the labor regulations that would apply to local entrepreneurs wishing to hire workers, organize working schedules, improve job quality for workers, or make workers redundant for economic reasons in Mali. 

Current news on labor and employment topics in Mali

Latest travel advice for Mali including safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health

See “Safety and Security” on this site

There is an element of imbalance in Mali Education because the ministry of lower education is increasing throughput, whereas the ministry of secondary and higher education still does not have sufficient secondary schools. 

USAID programs improve the quality of instruction in primary and upper-primary schools and promote out-of-school youth employment. The agency’slong-term investments in education have achieved important results

10 tips on business etiquette in Mali

This site describes the three climate zones across Mali

In the context of pervasive vulnerability, the impacts of climate change, both chronic and catastrophic, such as more frequent and intense droughts or floods, have the potential to destabilize the country’s institution

Average prices of more than 40 products and services in Mali. Prices of restaurants, food, transportation, utilities and housing are included.

Cost of living comparisons in more than 1,600 cities all over the world. 

Guide to travel, doing business, and studying in Mali – culture, greetings, gestures,etiquette, taboos, negotiations, gift-giving, and more.

Mali holidays 2016, bank holidays, national holidays, official holiday calendar, religious festivals and celebrations for the year 2016

Demographic facts and statistics on this CIA site

This site addresses the demographic features of the population of Mali, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population

Discover the complete list of Mali’s public holidays for 2016 and 2017

Mali Customs regulations and procedures for importing and exporting goods at border. 

Key information for expoters to Mali

This site provides key information on Mali’s participation in the WTO. Mali has been a member of WTO since 31 May 1995 and  a member of GATT since 11 January 1993.

This site discusses trade agreements between Western Africa countries (including Mali) and the EU

1,335 traveler reviews, candid photos, and prices for 64hotels in Mali.

Compare 11 hotels in Bamako using 22 real guest reviews

This site provides information on tourist sites in Mali but also provides the following: “The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against all travel to the provinces of Tombouctou, Kidal, Gao and Mopti, and parts of the provinces of Kayes, Koulikoro and Segou. All but essential travel to the rest of Mali is also warned against.”

With a history blighted by political instability, it’s hardly surprising that Mali is missing from most people’s bucket lists. But as peace slowly returns to this dusty land, travellers are trickling back to unearth the country’s cultural treasures – of which there are many.