A study visit to Bamako by Irene Mboukou-Kimbatsa, the Minister of Social Affairs of Congo-Brazzaville, on May 2, 2025, has signaled a significant step forward in South-South cooperation between the two African nations.
Minister Mboukou-Kimbatsa’s visit to Mali, while informal in nature, was rich in substance. Welcomed by Malian Prime Minister General Abdoulaye Maiga, her mission was to gain firsthand knowledge of Mali’s strategies for social alerts, disaster management, and support systems for displaced populations. Alongside her, Mali’s Minister of Health and Social Development, Assa Badiallo Toure, facilitated practical, on-the-ground experiences.
During their time in Bamako, the delegations visited the Benkan Health Mutual in the Sans Fil neighborhood, a pioneering initiative providing affordable healthcare services to thousands of families. They also toured the Football for Hope center in Baguineda, a hub for training, education, and empowerment for young people. A significant visit was made to the Senou site, where 1,254 displaced individuals, including 770 children, have resided in temporary shelters since 2019. Impressively, the site features a six-classroom school for 195 students, a functioning borehole, and a mobile clinic, showcasing local resilience in the face of displacement.
The “Malian model,” which prioritizes low-cost, community-based protection mechanisms, garnered considerable interest from the Congolese delegation. This model relies heavily on a network of decentralized health insurance schemes that support thousands of low-income families through solidarity contributions, sometimes as low as 1,000 CFA francs per month in certain municipalities.
For Minister Mboukou-Kimbatsa, “Mali possesses numerous valuable assets. We are departing Bamako with significant experience that we intend to adapt to our own national context.”
However, this study mission extends beyond purely humanitarian concerns. It represents a renewed dynamic in South-South cooperation, emphasizing concrete action and the scaling up of African-led solutions. Malian Prime Minister Maiga stressed the importance of reciprocity in this collaboration, inviting Malian officials to draw inspiration from Congolese mechanisms in other sectors. He specifically highlighted Congo-Brazzaville’s notable progress in the digitalization of civil registration and urban social policies.
Underpinning this growing cooperation are strong interpersonal connections. Over 23,600 Malians reside in Congo, with approximately 12,000 based in Brazzaville. This active diaspora plays a vital role in the informal economy through trade, crafts, and local services. Economically, while official trade figures remain below seven billion CFA francs annually according to the BCEAO, both nations are exploring avenues for the joint promotion of artisanal and agricultural expertise through regional fairs, cultural platforms, and solidarity incubators. Bamako and Brazzaville are also considering a memorandum of understanding by the end of 2025 to formalize technical cooperation in the realm of the social and solidarity economy.
Against this backdrop, the anticipated revitalization of the Mali-Congo Joint Commission is expected to formalize these commitments. Having been suspended for several years, this body is poised to become a crucial local diplomatic instrument, capable of translating political aspirations into tangible social outcomes for both Mali and Congo.
MD/ac/Sf/fss/abj/APA