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Mali

Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa, officially the Republic of Mali.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa, officially the Republic of Mali. Its capital and largest city is Bamako, and the country is known for its long history, including pre-colonial empires and the historic trading city of Timbuktu.

Geography

Mali is a landlocked West African country situated mostly in the Sahara and Sahel. Its landscape is largely flat, and the Niger River basin in the south supports much of the country’s population and farming.

History

Mali was home to several pre-colonial empires and later became a French colony before independence in 1960. The historic city of Timbuktu became an important centre of trade and Islamic scholarship.

Government and administration

Mali is a multiparty republic with a president as head of state and a prime minister as head of government. The country is subdivided into regions.

Economy and society

Agriculture is a major economic activity, with crops such as millet, sorghum, maize, rice, cotton, and peanuts. Gold is Mali’s most important exploited mineral, and French is the official language alongside several widely spoken national languages.

Key facts

  • Mali is a landlocked West African country bordered by Algeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal, and Mauritania.
  • The Niger River flows through the southern part of the country and is important to settlement and agriculture.
  • Islam is the predominant religion, alongside traditional beliefs and Christianity.
  • Agriculture and gold mining are major parts of the economy.
  • Canada maintains diplomatic and development interests in the Sahel region, and Mali’s political stability, security, and migration dynamics are relevant to Canadian foreign policy and humanitarian discussions.
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Canadian context

Canada maintains diplomatic and development interests in the Sahel region, and Mali’s political stability, security, and migration dynamics are relevant to Canadian foreign policy and humanitarian discussions.

Frequently asked questions

What is Mali?
Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa, officially called the Republic of Mali.
What is the capital of Mali?
The capital and largest city of Mali is Bamako.
Which countries border Mali?
Mali borders Algeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal, and Mauritania.
What language is official in Mali?
French is the official language of Mali.
What is Mali’s currency?
Mali uses the West African CFA franc.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Mali
    Supports: Country identity, geography, borders, terrain, economy, government overview
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/summary/Mali
    Supports: Official name, capital, population estimate, language, religion, currency, economy, government
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mali
    Supports: Area, population, capital, borders
  4. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13881370
    Supports: Country profile, history, capital, population, languages
  5. African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights — https://achpr.au.int/en/member-states/mali
    Supports: Official name and country status