Mali’s Transitional President, General Assimi Goita, met with a Chinese delegation led by Liu Kaiyuan, Chargé d’Affaires at the Chinese Embassy in Bamako, on June 17, 2025. The meeting focused on reviewing the implementation of commitments made at the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), held in Beijing in September 2024.
At the FOCAC 2024, China pledged a total of $50.7 billion for the African continent, comprising $30 billion in credit lines, $10 billion in direct investment, $10 billion in development aid, and $700 million in bilateral debt cancellation. Mali is among the beneficiaries of several of these commitments. Discussions between General Goita and the Chinese delegation in Koulouba provided an opportunity to review priority projects for Mali across various sectors, including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, health, mining, defense, and technical training. A key focus was the Sanankoroba solar park, a 200-megawatt project estimated at $217 million, scheduled for commissioning in the third quarter of 2025.
Regarding security, China reaffirmed its commitment to providing technical and logistical assistance for the training of 6,000 African soldiers and 1,000 police officers between 2025 and 2027, backed by a dedicated fund of one billion yuan (approximately $140 million). Mali is slated to host several of these training sessions. Additionally, the African SME support fund, valued at RMB 130 billion (approximately $18 billion), which currently finances over 350 companies across the continent, will support several Malian projects, particularly in agro-processing, public works, and logistics. According to Mali’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, this program is projected to create more than 4,000 direct jobs in Mali by 2026.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties reiterated their commitment to strengthening cooperation, emphasizing mutual respect for sovereignty and the principle of a win-win partnership.
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