Morocco and Mali Forge Stronger Economic and Security Partnerships
On July 24, 2026, Morocco and Mali solidified their diplomatic and economic relationship by signing a total of 21 bilateral agreements during the fourth meeting of their Joint Commission held in Bamako. This significant event was led by Morocco's Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his Malian counterpart Abdoulaye Diop. The discussions also included a meeting between Bourita and Mali's transitional president, General Assimi Goïta, highlighting the importance of this collaboration for both nations.
Addressing Energy Crisis and Trade Initiatives
A key focus of the newly signed agreements is the support for Mali in overcoming its current energy crisis, as Morocco pledged to deliver and install electrical equipment to provide an initial capacity of 20 megawatts. In addition to this, there are plans for expert missions and technology transfers aimed at enhancing Mali's solar energy capabilities. On the trade front, Morocco has agreed to a complete waiver of import duties on a specified list of Malian goods as part of its initiative to assist least developed countries. Prior to this, on July 23, 2026, a bilateral economic forum was held by the Moroccan Employers' Association (CGEM) and the Malian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIM), paving the way for a Malian Economic Week scheduled to take place in Morocco in October 2026.
Moreover, Morocco will increase the number of annual scholarships for Malian students to 300, a move that was warmly welcomed by the Malian representatives. Additionally, the requirement for electronic travel authorization (AEVM) for Malian citizens has been suspended, facilitating easier travel between the two nations. In the healthcare sector, partnerships have been established in oncology between the Malian Hospital and Morocco's National Oncology Institute, along with plans for dialysis centers and the provision of tailored fertilizers for agriculture.
On the political front, the Malian delegation reaffirmed its support for Morocco's territorial integrity and the Moroccan autonomy plan for Western Sahara, referring to UN Resolution 2797 from October 31, 2025. Morocco reciprocated this sentiment by emphasizing its respect for Mali's sovereignty and committed to assisting in efforts to lift Mali’s suspension from the African Union.
In terms of security, both nations condemned the terrorist attacks that occurred in Mali on April 25, 2026, and reiterated their intention to enhance military cooperation to combat terrorism and cross-border crime. The fifth ministerial meeting of the Joint Commission is set to take place in Morocco in 2028, marking a continued commitment to strengthen the partnership between these two nations.
As reported by maghreb-post.de.
