Partner risk indices

Country Risk Index

62.2

Political Risk Index

58.4

Short-Term Economic Risk Index

53.8

Long-Term Economic Risk Index

57.7

Operational Risk Index

72.5

Source: Partner Research Partner, as of 8 Nov 2026. 0-100, higher means higher risk.

Key indicators

Market overview

• Mali is in West Africa and is classified by the World Bank as Low income. (World Bank)
• Population: 25.2 million (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• GDP: US$31.2bn in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)

Economic conditions

• Real GDP growth: 4.9% in 2025 (estimate); the IMF projects 5.5% for 2026. (IMF WEO)
• Average consumer price inflation: 2.3% in 2025 (estimate); projected 3% for 2026. (IMF WEO)
• General government gross debt: 40.3% of GDP in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)
• Current account balance: 0.1% of GDP in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)
• Government net lending/borrowing: -1.5% of GDP in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)
• Official exchange rate averaged 581.93 local currency units per US dollar in 2025, against 606.57 in 2023: 4.1% more units per dollar fewer (the currency strengthened against the dollar). (World Bank WDI)

Key risks

• Partner risk indices (0-100, higher = higher risk), as of 8 Nov 2026: Country Risk Index 62.2 (rank 42 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Political Risk Index 58.4 (rank 43 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Short-Term Economic Risk Index 53.8 (rank 23 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Long-Term Economic Risk Index 57.7 (rank 28 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Operational Risk Index 72.5 (rank 47 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk). (Partner Research Partner)
• Highest-scoring Partner risk component: crime and security risk (84, operational). (Partner Research Partner)
• World Bank governance scores (2025, 0-100, higher is better): control of corruption 29; government effectiveness 24; political stability and absence of violence 22; rule of law 39; regulatory quality 42. (World Bank WGI)
• External debt stocks: 25.1% of GNI (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Unemployment (modelled ILO estimate): 2.8% of labour force (2025). (World Bank WDI)

Investment considerations

• Foreign direct investment, net inflows: 2.8% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Domestic credit to the private sector: 20.4% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Bank lending interest rate: 5.3% (2016). (World Bank WDI)
• Trade (exports plus imports): 48.8% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• The Meridian holds 324 published records tagged to Mali. (The Meridian)

Sector snapshot

• Energy and power: access to electricity 49.5% of population (2024); renewable share of final energy consumption 71.1% (2022). (World Bank WDI)
• Mining and minerals: mineral rents 16.2% of GDP (2021); ores and metals exports 0.7% of merchandise exports (2023). (World Bank WDI)
• Financial services: foreign direct investment, net inflows 2.8% of GDP (2025); bank lending interest rate 5.3% (2016). (World Bank WDI)
• Technology, media and telecoms: internet users 36.8% of population (2024); mobile subscriptions 112.1 per 100 people (2022). (World Bank WDI)
• Agriculture: agriculture, forestry and fishing, value added 33% of GDP (2025); employment in agriculture 63% of employment (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Manufacturing and industry: manufacturing, value added 7.5% of GDP (2025); industry (including construction), value added 23.4% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Infrastructure and real estate: urban population 32.2% of population (2025); access to electricity 49.5% of population (2024). (World Bank WDI)

Data limitations and sources

• Older data, shown with its period and not described as current: Bank lending interest rate (Latest published value is for 2016); Mobile subscriptions (Latest published value is for 2022); Fixed broadband subscriptions (Latest published value is for 2022); Renewable share of final energy consumption (Latest published value is for 2022); Oil rents (Latest published value is for 2021); Fuel exports (Latest published value is for 2023); Mineral rents (Latest published value is for 2021); Ores and metals exports (Latest published value is for 2023).
• IMF figures for the most recent year are IMF estimates and later years are projections. World Bank series typically lag by one to two years. Headlines come from automated news monitoring and are not verified by The Meridian.
• Sources last checked 15 Nov 2026.

Meridian transactions

• Mediterrania Capital Partners completes investment in Atlantic Group’s AFG Assurances
• Mediterrania Capital Partners invests in AFG Assurances’ operations in Francophone Africa
• Circle Ventures invests in CrissCross’ operations in Africa
• Shelter Afrique Development Bank launches XOF60bn sustainable bond on the WAEMU regional market
• Moussa Diao and Hervé Bouvet acquire Oryx Energies in a management buyout
• Africa Finance Corporation US$2bn syndicated term loan (26 lenders): Nigerian counsel to the lenders

Meridian articles

• Unions at Barrick’s Loulo-Gounkoto complex in Mali serve strike notices for late September
• Resolute cuts 2026 guidance for Mali’s Syama mine, citing supply chain and equipment delays
• BOAD approves 157.5bn FCFA, including financing for Yattassaye’s purchase of Benin oil assets