The government of Mali has approved new measures aimed at reorganizing the financing of local development while strengthening regulations governing associations and foundations, according to a statement issued after the Council of Ministers meeting.
A key aspect of the reform focuses on restructuring the National Agency for Investment in Local Authorities, a public institution established in 2000 to support local government investments in sectors such as infrastructure, education and health.
As part of the changes, the Regional Development Agencies created in 2015 will be integrated into ANICT after government assessments concluded that their impact had been limited, a move intended to streamline the institutional framework and improve management of territorial investment.
Authorities say the reform is crucial for strengthening development planning across the country’s vast administrative network, which includes 819 municipalities across 19 regions and 159 districts, many of which face significant infrastructure needs.
The new legal texts also introduce clearer rules governing the activities of associations and foundations, outlining administrative oversight mechanisms and defining relationships between supervisory bodies and relevant authorities.
The government says the measures are designed to prevent risks such as money laundering, terrorist financing and lack of transparency while improving accountability in local development projects and maintaining a balance between transparency requirements and the freedom of association.
