India and Mali widen export forum agenda

New Delhi and Bamako have opened a structured export forum aimed at expanding bilateral trade, drawing investment into priority sectors and giving businesses from both countries a clearer route into West African and South Asian markets.

The inaugural India–Mali Forum for the Promotion of Exports was held in Bamako under the theme “Reinforcing Trade and Strategic Partnerships”, bringing together senior officials, export agencies and about 30 business leaders from India. The two-day initiative marks an attempt to move commercial engagement beyond commodity flows and towards sector-specific projects in cotton, mining, energy, pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, health and education.

The forum was jointly organised by Mali’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Embassy of India in Bamako and the Malian Agency for the Promotion of Exports. It was presided over by Mali’s Transition Government Prime Minister, Major General Abdoulaye Maïga, with the delegation from India led by Amit Kumar, Joint Secretary for FT-Africa in the Department of Commerce. Dr N. Nandakumar, Ambassador of India to Mali, represented the mission through the proceedings.

Bilateral trade crossed $326.61 million in 2025–26, a 55 per cent increase over the previous financial year. Mali’s exports to India include raw cotton, finished leather, cashew, lead, gum arabic and sesame. India’s exports to Mali include pharmaceuticals, cotton fabrics, two-wheelers, three-wheelers and bicycles. Officials see the current trade base as narrow but expandable, particularly because Mali’s global exports stand at about $4 billion and its untapped export potential in the market of India is estimated at nearly $3.96 billion.

The Duty-Free Tariff Preference Scheme has been a central driver of trade growth, offering least developed countries preferential access to the market of India. For Mali, the scheme provides a policy opening at a time when Bamako is seeking to diversify export destinations and reduce dependence on raw commodity shipments. For New Delhi, the forum fits a wider push to deepen commercial links with Africa through trade facilitation, capacity building and private-sector participation.

Business-to-business, business-to-government and government-to-government meetings formed the operational core of the forum. Exhibition stands featured products from both countries, including tractors and vehicles manufactured by Sonalika, Mahindra and Tata Motors. The format was designed to connect firms with regulators, identify bankable projects and address procedural bottlenecks that often slow trade between developing markets.

Mali presented ready-made business plans to potential investors and placed emphasis on agro-industry, shea processing, mining-linked services, renewable energy and social infrastructure. The country is seeking more value addition in cotton and agricultural commodities rather than relying mainly on exports of raw or semi-processed products. Cotton remains a significant sector for Mali, while shea, sesame, cashew and gum arabic offer scope for processing, branding and direct export partnerships.

Pharmaceuticals emerged as another key area. Mali sought quicker registration of approved products from India, a move that could expand access to affordable medicines and medical supplies. Health and education infrastructure were also discussed as areas where companies and institutions could provide services, equipment and training support.

The mining dimension is more complex. Mali is one of Africa’s leading gold producers and is working to tighten oversight of its precious metals trade after identifying large gaps between declared exports and import data reported by partner countries. A new state entity has been created to centralise and regulate precious-substances flows, reflecting Bamako’s effort to capture more value from gold and reduce informal trade. Industrial mines export about 60 tonnes of gold annually, while artisanal mining employs nearly 2 million people across hundreds of sites.

Security remains a central concern for investors. Mali has faced instability and militant violence, and economic assets have been among the risks flagged by foreign governments and companies. Earlier this year, security concerns stalled participation by government-backed firms from India in a Russian-backed lithium exploration project in Mali. That episode underlined the challenge of matching mineral ambitions with investor confidence.