The Council of Ministers of Mali, led by General Assimi Goita, President of the Transition and Head of State, convened on September 18, 2026, at the Palace of Koulouba. During the meeting, the Council examined and adopted several key decisions. These included the adoption of a draft law on the 2027 Finance Bill, which outlines the country's budget for the upcoming year. The Council also approved a decree on the National Penitentiary Policy and its action plan. This policy aims to align Mali's penitentiary administration with national and international standards.
The 2027 Finance Bill, as presented by the Minister of State for Economy and Finance, projects revenues of 3,866.635 billion Francs CFA, marking an increase of 493.740 billion Francs CFA or 14.64% from the revised 2026 budget. The bill also forecasts expenditures of 4,462.646 billion Francs CFA, a rise of 469.326 billion Francs CFA or 11.75% from the previous year. Consequently, the state's budget for 2027 anticipates a deficit of 596.011 billion Francs CFA, which is a decrease of 3.93% from the revised 2026 budget.
The National Penitentiary Policy, introduced by the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, aims to provide a reference framework for penitentiary administration in Mali. The policy's goal is to improve conditions within the country's prisons, aligning them with both national and international standards. This move is expected to enhance the management and rehabilitation of inmates.
During the Council of Ministers meeting, several appointments were made across various government ministries. These appointments included positions such as Chargé de mission, Chef de Cabinet, and Directors General of different institutions. Notably, Abdoul Razak Maiga, a journalist, was appointed as Chargé de mission at the Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
The Minister of Youth and Sports reported on the successful organization of the 1st Edition of the Grand Forum of the Malian Youth, held in Philadelphia, USA, from September 5 to 6, 2026. The forum focused on themes such as leadership, innovation, civic engagement, and contributions to Mali's sustainable development. Participants adopted the Declaration of Philadelphia, committing to utilize their skills for national development.
The Minister of Malians Abroad and African Integration announced the launch of a digital platform dedicated to the repertoire of skills of Malians abroad. This platform, accessible at www.malidiaspora.org, aims to identify and valorize the competencies of the Malian diaspora. The launch took place on August 22, 2026, in Washington, USA.
The Minister of National Entrepreneurship, Employment, and Professional Training informed the Council about Mali's participation in the 7th Meeting of the Dialogue between the Technical Cooperation Agencies of the Islamic Development Bank member countries. The meeting, held in Cairo, Egypt, from September 6 to 8, 2026, emphasized strengthening South-South and triangular cooperation, crisis response, and sustainable partnerships.
Key points
- The Council of Ministers adopted the 2027 Finance Bill, projecting a 14.64% increase in revenues and an 11.75% rise in expenditures.
- A national penitentiary policy was approved, aiming to align Mali's prisons with national and international standards.
- A digital platform was launched to valorize the skills of Malians abroad.
