Mali

A

Agriculture and Fishing

The cultivation of food crops occupies around 86 per cent of the economically active population of Mali. Prolonged droughts badly affect livestock herds and food production, and desertification is a major environmental problem. The main crops are millet, rice, sorghum, maize, peanuts, cotton, and sugar cane. Livestock raising is of major importance; in 2005 the livestock population included some 7.68 million cattle, 8.40 million sheep, 12 million goats, 472,000 camels, 720,000 donkeys, 172,000 horses, and 31 million poultry. During 2006 about 171,500 tonnes of peanuts and 160,000 tonnes of seed cotton and cotton lint were harvested. The fish catch in 2005 was 101,098 tonnes.

B

Mining

Mineral resources have not been fully surveyed, but deposits of salt, phosphates, gold, and uranium have been exploited.

C

Energy

In 2003 Mali produced some 820 million kWh of electricity; around 79 per cent was generated in hydroelectric installations.

D

Currency and Banking

Mali is a member of the Franc Zone, and the monetary unit is the CFA franc of 100 centimes (449.18 francs equalled US$1; early 2008). The central bank of the states grouped in the west African currency area of the Franc Zone assumed Mali’s central banking functions in 1984; it is based in Dakar, Senegal.

E

Commerce and Trade

Most foreign trade operations are in the hands of the state. Principal exports include cotton, livestock, peanuts, gold, and fish. The annual value of exports in 2001 was about US$519 million. Imports, largely petroleum products, motor vehicles, food products, machinery, and chemicals, amounted to about US$1,013 million. Mali’s main trading partners are France, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Belgium, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, and Germany.