The fifth meeting of Ministers of Industry and Commerce from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) concluded on September 28, 2026, in Bamako, Mali. The closing ceremony was attended by the Minister of State, Minister of Economy and Finance, and President of the AES Development Pole. The meeting focused on creating a unified market with a confederal structure, emphasizing the free movement of people and goods.
The ministers adopted a roadmap that prioritizes the private sector's role in the economic transformation of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Key areas of focus include harmonizing legislative frameworks, increasing intra-AES trade, developing productive capacities, and mobilizing financing. The roadmap aims to improve the business climate, strengthen public-private dialogue, and combat fraud and unfair competition.
The meeting highlighted two major challenges: effective implementation of reforms by states and transforming savings into productive investments, particularly for youth and women's employment. The AES countries have a market of approximately 70 million consumers and significant natural and agricultural resources, providing a strong foundation for economic integration.
The ministers welcomed the establishment of the Business Climate Observatory by the Alliance of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and progress in implementing the roadmap for patronal organizations. The roadmap adopted by the ministers aims to support the construction of a unified market based on the free movement of people and goods.
The participants emphasized the importance of the private sector in driving economic growth and development in the AES countries. They also called for the elaboration of a single chronogram to accelerate the creation of a common market. The meeting concluded with a tribute to the Defense and Security Forces and the private sector for their contributions to the economic sovereignty of the confederal space.
The AES countries are working to strengthen their economic integration, with a focus on creating a unified market that leverages the region's resources and potential. The roadmap adopted in Bamako provides a framework for achieving this goal, with a focus on the private sector and the free movement of people and goods.
The next steps for the AES countries will involve implementing the roadmap and addressing the challenges identified during the meeting. The ministers' adoption of the roadmap marks a significant step towards achieving economic integration and cooperation among the AES countries.
Key points
- Ministers of Industry and Commerce from AES countries adopt a roadmap for a unified market in Bamako
- The roadmap prioritizes the private sector's role in economic transformation and aims to improve the business climate
- The AES countries have a market of approximately 70 million consumers and significant natural and agricultural resources
