African Development Bank and Brazil Expand Development Ties in Mali

The Bamako summit builds upon a Memorandum of Cooperation signed in Abidjan this past June. By leveraging South-South cooperation, the two institutions intend to translate high-level policy commitments into tangible progress for local agricultural systems and private sector expansion. Isabel Christina de A. Heyvaert, representing the Brazilian delegation, and Cedric Achille Mbeng Mezui, the Bank Group’s country manager for Mali, identified these sectors as immediate priorities for joint investment.

This collaboration aligns with the National Strategy for Emergence and Sustainable Development 2024–2033 and the Bank’s own country strategy for 2026–2031. Beyond physical infrastructure in energy and transport, the agenda prioritizes vocational training to equip Mali’s youth with digital and creative skills. By linking educational outcomes directly to the country's productive sectors, officials aim to create a sustainable pipeline for employment that supports the broader objectives of Mali Vision 2063.