Germany enjoys a very good reputation in Mali amongst members of the government and the population as a whole. Many people in the country still recall that Germany was the first country to recognise Mali’s independence in 1960.

Also after the coups in 2020 and 2021 and the end of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in which Germany played a major role, Germany is maintaining its engagement in Mali.

The Federal Government is continuing its civilian support at grassroots level, including humanitarian assistance to alleviate acute hardship, as well as transitional development assistance to strengthen the resilience of the Mali population. Long‑term development cooperation and selected projects in the field of stabilisation are also ongoing.

Bilateral relations also embrace the sphere of cultural exchange where the focus is on promoting the German language and supporting cultural centres and initiatives geared to young people.

Bilateral trade between Germany and Mali is relatively insignificant and, despite the bilateral investment protection agreement concluded in 1977, there has thus far been no major German investment in Mali. This is due to the business climate and the modest sales markets for industrial and capital goods in Mali. Mali is a signatory of the Samoa Agreement with the European Union concluded on 15 November 2023.