The Malian government has approved a loan of over 133 billion CFA francs from the International Development Association (IDA) to finance critical infrastructure in the conflict-affected Kayes region.
The funding, signed on July 21, will support the Road Infrastructure Connectivity and Resilience Improvement Project, which includes the construction of the Sandaré–Diéma road, the rehabilitation of 200 kilometers of rural roads, and the renovation of schools and health centers.
Technical studies will also be conducted for the Douentza–Gao road corridor linking central and northern Mali.
This development directly targets the Diéma district, long plagued by poor infrastructure, and comes just weeks after coordinated jihadist attacks in Kayes, where the Sandaré and Diéma areas were hit, and three Indian nationals were abducted from the Diamond Cement factory.
While the security status of the project zone remains unclear, the Malian Armed Forces claim to have neutralized over 80 attackers.
The government’s focus on the Sandaré–Diéma section reflects a strategic move to restore connectivity and assert control in a region marked by growing insecurity.
