Mali inaugurates first Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Center in Kati

Malian Transition President Assimi Goïta inaugurated the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CIAR-Mali) in Kati Sirakoro Niaré on September 21, 2026. The facility, which was entirely funded by the national budget and constructed by local companies, aims to bolster the country’s technological sovereignty and scientific autonomy.

The center features specialized technical rooms, a drone-dedicated space, administrative offices, dormitories, and other amenities. It is designed to provide rigorous and selective training for specialists, drawing on expertise from both local professionals and the Malian diaspora. The institution intends to apply research and innovation to strategic economic sectors, including agriculture, health, mining, industry, and environmental protection.

In a separate development, Mali has also modernized its crisis management capabilities through a new operations room supported by Huawei. This infrastructure, designed to centralize video feeds for emergency response, aims to improve the handling of natural disasters, health crises, and security situations across strategic regions.