After 26 years of inactivity, Mali and Morocco resumed their 4th Joint Commission on July 21, 2026, in Bamako. This session, which extends until July 24, aims to review projects and agreements intended to enhance economic exchanges and investments.
From July 21 to 24, 2026, Bamako hosts the 4th session of the Mali-Morocco Joint Commission for Cooperation. Co-chaired by Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop and Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita, this meeting aims to redefine the priorities of the bilateral partnership around political, economic, and sectoral agreements. This Commission remains a crucial institutional framework for bilateral dialogue between the two countries.
“Although the Moroccan-Malian Joint Commission has not met since June 2000, the relations between our two countries have continued to develop, evidenced by the significant number of legal instruments that unite us. This expert meeting will provide an opportunity to review our cooperation status and outlook for the coming years. It will also serve as a platform to assess existing agreements and those currently under negotiation between our two countries.”
Mohamed El Alaoui, Head of the Expert Delegation – Morocco
The Malian government emphasizes that holding this 4th session in Bamako marks a “new phase” in a multidimensional partnership that spans education, energy, health, and defense. The meeting aims to assess past commitments, update cooperation mechanisms, and define new targeted economic programs. Trade remains heavily in favor of Morocco, with nearly $185 million in exports to Mali in 2025, compared to around $3 million in imports.
“The Joint Commission is part of the dynamic initiated by the highest authorities of our two states, determined to elevate relations between Morocco and Mali to a higher level for the benefit of our respective peoples. The meeting that opens today is a crucial step in preparing for the ministerial segment of the Joint Commission. It provides experts from both countries with an opportunity for an in-depth review of bilateral cooperation, to assess progress made since the last session, and to identify new partnership perspectives aligned with the development priorities of our states.”
Moustapha Traoré, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Mali
On the Moroccan side, this dynamic reflects the Kingdom’s desire to strengthen its footing in the Sahel. King Mohammed VI’s Atlantic Initiative aims to integrate Sahelian countries, including Mali, into Atlantic flows through enhanced economic and logistical cooperation. The immediate challenge is to translate statements into funded projects. This 4th session anticipates the signing of several agreements to strengthen the bilateral legal framework and open opportunities in growth sectors.
