The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has commended Mali for maintaining economic stability and growth despite regional instability, external financial pressures, and domestic challenges.
Following its annual Article IV consultation mission from June 9 to 13, 2025, in Bamako, the IMF released a cautiously optimistic statement, highlighting the country’s economic resilience while also calling for structural reforms to ensure long-term sustainability.
According to the preliminary findings from the IMF delegation led by Wenjie Chen, Mali’s real GDP grew by 4.7% in 2024, matching the previous year’s performance. This steady growth occurred in spite of major obstacles, including an ongoing energy crisis, damaging floods, and declining gold output. These setbacks were counterbalanced by improved domestic revenue collection and disciplined public spending.
Mali’s budget deficit was reduced to 2.6% of GDP in 2024, placing it below the 3% convergence threshold set by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). This improvement was attributed to exceptional revenue inflows from mining and telecommunications firms, along with tighter control of government expenditures. However, the IMF anticipates the deficit will rise to 3.4% in 2025 as the government increases spending to address recent flood damage.
The IMF also acknowledged Mali’s new National Strategy for Emergence and Sustainable Development (2024–2033), the first actionable phase of its Vision 2063.
This long-term plan seeks to steer Mali towards inclusive, sustainable development less vulnerable to climate and security risks. The strategy’s effectiveness, however, will depend on its ability to deliver meaningful structural changes, especially in a nation where over 43% of the population lives below the poverty line.
