Relations between Germany and Mali are close and wide-ranging. People in Mali are keenly aware that the Federal Republic of Germany was the first country to recognise the independent Republic of Mali in 1960.

Bilateral visits between Germany and Mali are frequent. Former President Keita visited Berlin in February 2019 and Federal Chancellor Merkel travelled to Mali in May 2019. Several ministers have visited the partner country.

Germany is engaged in Mali in a variety of ways. It supports the UN MINUSMA mission, the EU training mission EUTM and the civilian mission EUCAP Sahel in Mali providing soldiers and military equipment (for example, reconnaissance drones), as well as police officers. Germany is also assisting MINUSMA in the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration process and implementing measures to strengthen the security sector.

The Federal Government also promotes projects on crisis prevention and stabilisation, for example, to flank the peace and reconciliation process, to promote local mediation and to strengthen social cohesion, as well as moves to establish rule of law structures.

German-Malian development cooperation focuses on decentralisation, agriculture and water/sanitation. Projects supported include those to improve agricultural productivity and access to clean drinking water and to strengthen democratic participation in decision-making processes at municipal and regional level.

German cultural activities in Mali focus on promoting the German language and facilitating further training for Malian students by providing university and professional education scholarships, as well implementing a youth dialogue project.

Bilateral trade is relatively insignificant and despite the bilateral investment protection agreement concluded in 1977, there is no major German investment in Mali. Mali is a signatory to the Cotonou Agreement with the European Union.

Information about German development cooperation with Mali can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.