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Economic Development

In Mali, as in other countries, the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) has invested in critical infrastructure projects, including water, electricity and aviation.

Aviation remains a critical part of the economic infrastructure, particularly when rains make roads impassable.At the request of the Malian government, AKFED is helping rebuild the national and regional aviation sectors (it has also made investments in neighbouring Burkina Faso). Aviation remains a critical part of the economic infrastructure, particularly when rains make roads impassable, and an essential tool both for tourism development and for attracting overall investment in the country.

On 25 February 2005, AKFED made an important investment in the West African aviation sector by creating a new national airline in partnership with the Mali government and private investors. Following an international invitation to tender, the Mali government appointed AKFED and Industrial Promotion Services (West Africa) – to create a new airline, which is now called Air Mali. The new airline operates to Mopti and Timbuktu, several regional capitals of West Africa and Paris (View Press Release).

AKFED has also made several investments in other infrastructure projects. On 14 October 2005, IPS, the West African affiliate of AKFED, signed a public-private partnership agreement with the Republic of Mali concerning the Energie du Mali (EDM) company. EDM's mandate is to ensure the supply, quality and safety of electricity and drinking water throughout the area covered by the utility's concession, which covers 13 localities and 20 isolated centres. The company employs 1,620 staff.

In Bamako, Embalmali manufactures polypropylene bags for the packaging and transport of goods to local and export markets.

Microfinance
AKDN has also established a microfinance agency, The Première Agence de MicroFinance in Mali (PAMF-Mali). Loans are extended to both groups and individuals to address specific financial needs such as rural credit, financing of service activities, working capital for commercial activities, among others.

For more information, please see The Première Agence de MicroFinance.