Mali has launched a new long-term strategy aimed at strengthening access to clean water, hygiene, and sanitation services across the country. The government officially unveiled the 2026–2035 Sustainability Pact, marking the start of a decade-long plan designed to expand essential services while prioritizing rural and vulnerable communities.
The agreement was signed during a ceremony in Bamako led by the Minister of Environment, Sanitation, and Sustainable Development. Senior officials from the health, education, and energy ministries also attended, alongside representatives from the private sector, civil society groups, and international development partners, highlighting the broad collaboration behind the initiative.
READ: Tanzania invests US $274M to expand fuel storage at Dar es Salaam Port
Inside sustainability pact
The new pact builds on the achievements of the first national framework introduced in 2014. According to recent assessments, the earlier program delivered notable progress, with more than 70% of rural water access targets achieved. In addition, 84% of communities previously declared free of open defecation have maintained that status over time.
Despite these gains, authorities acknowledged that significant challenges remain. The next phase will focus on addressing the deterioration of aging water infrastructure and narrowing regional disparities in service delivery, particularly between urban centers and remote rural areas.
Under the 2026–2035 framework, the government plans to modernize governance within the water and sanitation sector by strengthening local planning systems, improving financial transparency, and integrating climate resilience into infrastructure development. The strategy also introduces a new monitoring mechanism with performance indicators designed to track progress toward United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which seeks universal access to safe water and sanitation by 2030.
Malian officials say the initiative goes beyond improving utilities, emphasizing its broader social impact. By expanding sanitation services in rural schools and healthcare facilities, the government aims to improve public health outcomes while supporting better learning environments for students across the country.
