Mali has successfully reduced its projected 2025 budget deficit by CFA 40.8 billion following an upward revision of its Finance Law.
The revised budget, adopted by the Council of Ministers, reflects an increase in both revenue and expenditure, addressing growing security and social needs while improving fiscal stability.
The Malian Council of Ministers, during a meeting on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, adopted a bill to amend Law No. 2024-037, which governs the 2025 fiscal year. This revision modifies the initial forecasts for government revenue, expenditure, and cash resources.
Budget Revenue is increased to CFA 2,739.697 billion, up from the initial CFA 2,648.900 billion. This represents a growth of CFA 90.797 billion (3.43%), and is attributed to the Modern Import Control Program, exceptional revenue deferrals from telephone companies, and contributions from the Fund to Support Basic Infrastructure and Social Development Projects.
Budgetary Expenditures are also revised upwards to CFA 3,279.886 billion, an increase of CFA 50 billion (1.55%) from the initial version. This increase is primarily allocated to financing basic infrastructure and social development projects, as well as reallocating funds for national security operations.
As a result of these revisions, the projected deficit is now CFA 540.189 billion, a reduction of CFA 40.797 billion from the initial projection of CFA 580.986 billion. This new figure aligns more closely with recent forecasts from international financial institutions. In April 2025, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected Mali’s 2025 budget deficit at 3.4% of GDP, following a 4.3% deficit in 2024. The African Development Bank (AfDB) has also noted in its first-half 2025 report that spending on security and social investments continues to put significant pressure on the country’s budgetary balance.
This revision of the Finance Law takes place amid a political transition in Mali, marked by internal adjustments and the country’s active participation in various regional cooperation frameworks.
MD/ac/Sf/fss/abj/APA