In a move to enhance their economic relationship, India and Mali have formalized their commercial partnership with the launch of the first India-Mali Forum for the Promotion of Exports. This forum aims to boost trade and investment collaboration between the two nations. The event, themed “Reinforcing Trade and Strategic Partnerships,” was overseen by Major General Abdoulaye Maiga, the Prime Minister of Mali’s Transition Government.
Mali has announced plans for a dedicated investment forum scheduled for December 3–4, 2026, where additional viable projects will be presented to global investors. The country is committed to establishing itself as a key investment center for West Africa under its Vision Mali 2063 initiative. The forum gathered high-ranking officials from both governments and approximately 30 Indian business leaders, with the Indian delegation led by Amit Kumar, Joint Secretary (FT-Africa) at the Department of Commerce, and represented by N. Nandakumar, the Indian Ambassador to Mali.
Bilateral trade between India and Mali has seen substantial growth, surpassing US$326.61 million in the fiscal year 2025–26, marking a 55% increase from the previous year. Mali exports items like raw cotton, finished leather, cashew, lead, gum arabic, and sesame to India, while India’s exports to Mali include pharmaceuticals, cotton fabrics, two- and three-wheelers, and bicycles. The Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme of India has played a pivotal role in bolstering bilateral trade relations.
The discussions during the forum encompassed various sectors such as renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, textiles, automotive manufacturing, and mining. The aim was to translate business opportunities into concrete partnerships and Memorandums of Understanding. Both countries identified priority sectors for cooperation, including cotton and textiles, mining and energy, agro-industry, shea processing, pharmaceuticals, and social infrastructure like health and education.
