Mali refugee and migrant socio-economic integration

In September 2026, the Government of Mali and the UNHCR met in Bamako to discuss shifting refugee and internally displaced person assistance from emergency humanitarian aid toward sustainable economic autonomy. UNHCR Regional Director Abdouraouf Gnon-Kondé advocated for integrating refugees into national systems through vocational training and employment, particularly for women and youth.

By October 2026, the Malian government initiated specific socio-economic programs to support these goals. This included the allocation of 121 million FCFA to fund 90 reintegration projects for returning migrants in sectors such as agriculture, livestock, and trade. While these funds aim to support regional development, the selection process has faced criticism due to a lack of public transparency regarding the criteria used to choose projects.

Additionally, the Malian Council of Ministers approved a five-year extension for irrigation development programs in the Bani Basin and Sélingué to bolster national agricultural production and water resource management.