India-Mali Forum for Export Promotion and Trade Relations

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India and Mali held their first export promotion forum in Bamako to strengthen their commercial partnership.
The theme for this landmark meeting was "Reinforcing Trade and Strategic Partnerships".
This event marks a major step forward in India's economic relations with West Africa.

Trade between India and Mali grew by 55% year-on-year, reaching USD 326.61 million in FY 2025-26.
India's Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme acted as the key driver for this rapid expansion.
Mali exports around USD 4 billion worth of goods globally every year.
Analysts estimate that Malian goods have an untapped potential of nearly USD 3.96 billion in the Indian market.

Mali mainly exports raw cotton, finished leather, cashews, lead, gum arabic, and sesame to India.
India primarily sends pharmaceuticals, cotton fabrics, two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and bicycles to Mali.
Both countries identified textiles, mining, energy, and agro-processing as key areas for joint investments.
They also decided to collaborate in healthcare and education infrastructure.

Mali requested Indian assistance to digitize its Certificate of Origin system and speed up medicine approvals.
India asked Mali to review its ban on shea-nut exports and protect Indian citizens and assets.
Mali promoted itself as a regional business center under its Vision Mali 2063 strategic plan.
Mali announced an Investment Forum in December 2026 to invite global funding for bankable projects.

Mali is a landlocked nation in West Africa located within the Sahara and Sahel regions.
It shares land borders with seven nations including Algeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal, and Mauritania.
Bamako serves as the national capital, while the Niger River flowing over 1,600 km forms the lifeline of the country.
The Sénégal River is formed by the confluence of the Bakoye and Bafing rivers at Bafoulabé.
Mali's highest peak is Mount Hombori at 1,155 meters, located near the Dogon Plateau and Bandiagara Escarpment.
Northern Mali features the Iforas Massif, a rugged sandstone plateau connected to the Saharan mountain system.
The economy relies heavily on agriculture, with gold being its primary export along with cotton, livestock, and fishing.
Historical cities like Timbuktu and Djenné were major centers of ancient trade and learning across the Saharan desert.