On February 27, 2026, the Malian government officially inaugurated a new strategic framework for water, hygiene, and sanitation spanning the next decade.
The 2026–2035 Sustainability Pact is designed to build upon a decade of infrastructure gains while ensuring that essential services reach the country’s most vulnerable and rural populations through the year 2035.
The signing ceremony in Bamako was led by the Minister of the Environment, Sanitation, and Sustainable Development, alongside key cabinet members from the Health, Education, and Energy sectors. The event also drew significant participation from private sector leaders, civil society organizations, and international technical and financial partners, underscoring the collaborative nature of the initiative.
This new agreement succeeds the original 2014 pact, which yielded largely positive results. Recent evaluations of the first phase revealed that over 70% of rural water access indicators were met, and 84% of localities previously declared free of open defecation have successfully maintained that status. Despite these successes, the government noted that the 2026–2035 phase must aggressively tackle lingering challenges, specifically regarding the maintenance of aging infrastructure and the reduction of regional disparities in service quality.
The 2026–2035 pact introduces a modernized approach to sector governance, focusing heavily on local-level planning, financial transparency, and climate resilience. By integrating climate concerns, Mali aims to protect its water sources against the increasing volatility of the regional environment. A new monitoring system, utilizing specific performance indicators, will be used to track progress toward the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6, which targets universal access to clean water and sanitation by 2030.
Ultimately, Malian authorities view this pact as more than just a utility upgrade; it is a critical driver for public health and educational success. By prioritizing sanitation in rural schools and healthcare centers, the government aims to create a more resilient national foundation for the coming decade.
MD/te/Sf/fss/abj/APA