Mali

Mali is a large landlocked country in West Africa, bordered by Algeria to the north, Niger to the east, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire to the south, Guinea to the southwest, and Senegal and Mauritania to the west. Covering about 1.24 million square kilometers, it is one of the largest countries in Africa. Its geography is strongly dominated by the Sahara Desert in the north, which covers more than half of the territory, while the central and southern regions lie within the semi-arid Sahel zone and the more humid Sudanian savanna. The Niger River, which flows through the country in a wide inland delta, is the most important water resource and supports agriculture, fishing, and settlement. The climate is predominantly hot and dry, with very low and irregular rainfall, especially in the northern desert regions.

Agriculture is the backbone of Mali’s economy and the main source of livelihood for most of the population. Because of climatic constraints, farming is concentrated in the southern and central regions along the Niger River and in areas with more reliable rainfall. The main food crops include millet, sorghum, maize, rice, and cowpeas, with millet and sorghum being particularly important in drier zones due to their drought resistance. Rice cultivation is especially significant in the Niger Inland Delta and irrigated schemes such as the Office du Niger, where controlled water systems support higher yields. Cash crops include cotton, which is Mali’s most important export product, as well as groundnuts and shea nuts. Livestock production is also a major economic activity, with cattle, goats, sheep, and camels supporting pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods, particularly among nomadic and semi-nomadic groups.

Forestry resources in Mali are limited due to the dominance of the Sahara and Sahel environments, but they are still important for rural livelihoods and environmental stability. Vegetation mainly consists of Sahelian savanna, shrublands, and scattered drought-resistant trees such as acacia, baobab, and shea. These trees provide fuelwood, fodder, food products, medicinal resources, and construction materials. Agroforestry systems are widely practiced to help combat desertification, improve soil fertility, and provide additional income. However, deforestation, overgrazing, fuelwood demand, and advancing desert conditions have led to significant land degradation in many areas. Efforts such as reforestation programs, dune stabilization, and sustainable land management initiatives are being implemented to restore degraded ecosystems and improve resilience.

The fishery sector in Mali is centered on inland waters, as the country has no coastline. The Niger River and its inland delta form one of the most productive freshwater fishing areas in West Africa. Fisheries are especially important in regions such as Mopti, where seasonal flooding expands fishing grounds and increases fish productivity. Common fish species include tilapia, catfish, and Nile perch, which contribute significantly to local diets and incomes. Fishing is largely artisanal and supports many riverine communities. However, the sector is highly sensitive to climatic variability, particularly droughts and reduced flooding, which can significantly lower fish stocks. Additional challenges include overfishing in some areas, habitat degradation, and pollution. Fisheries management efforts focus on regulating access, improving sustainability, and supporting community-based resource management.

Overall, Mali’s geography—dominated by desert, Sahel, and river systems—strongly shapes its agricultural potential, forest resources, and inland fisheries. Despite harsh environmental conditions, these sectors remain essential to livelihoods and national development. Sustainable management of water, land, and vegetation resources is crucial for addressing food insecurity, environmental degradation, and the impacts of climate change.

In 2016 Gerold was 4 days in Mali. He drove from Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso) by car to Sikasso (Mali). There he stood 2 nights and looked at potato cultivation and organic mango cultivation (plantations, packaging, drying: for the German market). The border was really palm huts and Kalashnikows. From Sikasso to Bamako, again by car, there GIZ Grünes Innovationszentrum Mali met and also flew again from there to Addis.