Water supply and sanitation in Mali are characterized by several challenges. Mali is a low-income country in north-west Africa: As of 2025, it ranks 188 on the United Nations Human Development Index (out of 193 countries). The country's rapid growth in population in recent years, combined with limited infrastructure, has contributed to the restricted access of clean water and proper sanitation. Initiatives by the government, USAID and other international organizations have improved access to safe drinking water. Inequalities between rural and urban areas continue to persist: Only about 68% of the rural population in Mali has access to basic drinking water service, while 27% of the rural population is using unprotected water resources for drinking water or household use. Unclean water increases the risk of waterborne diseases that can be potentially fatal. These can include parasitic infections or diarrheal diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Main surface waters are the Niger and Senegal rivers and their tributaries. Irregular rainfall and a decrease in rainfall affect the availability of water resources. Water availability is also critical for food security in Mali. Mali's progress in expanding water and sanitation infrastructure relies on many factors, such as policy change and increased community education, and the resources to implement the infrastructure depend heavily on external funding and national policy.
Economy The current status of water supply and sanitation in Mali is shaped by the country's history and economy. Mali gained independence in 1960. A large percentage its population is in the informal sector, and as of 2023, 33% of its GDP comes from the informal sector. It has a rapidly growing population: The total population quadrupled from 5 million in 1960 to more than 21 million in 2022. Mali faced a multi-decade drought from the late 1960s until the 1980s. This crisis diverted policy attention to emergency water provisionç It was not until the mid-1980s that the first structured water supply project was launched in rural regions by an external investor. Mali faces financial constraints in infrastructure development: Political instability and economic weakness after 2012 have hindered development. Mali is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including desertification, drought, locust invasions, and floods. COVID-19 and the health, security, social, and political crises of 2020 has led to increase in expenditures and growth in poverty rates. Thus, Mali has relied on external funding to expand infrastructure for water supply and sanitation: USAID has supported agricultural development projects in Mali since 1961, and complemented its development projects in the South of the country with rural water and sanitation services. The International Development Association and the World Bank have financed several multi-year projects in Mali, including prevention of river blindness, drought relief, rural development, debt relief and water infrastructure and infrastructure rehabilitation projects.
Weather and Climate Change
Mali's water supply and sanitation are increasingly impacted by climate change. Rising temperatures, more frequent droughts, erratic rainfall and decreased groundwater recharge reduce the amount of surface water and groundwater available in the country. Mali greatly relies on wells and aquifers to supply its water. The reduction of water availability directly impacts both drinking water, agricultural activities and food security. Moreover, climate-induced instability of water can exacerbate resource competition, especially in rural areas, contributing to social tensions and livelihood insecurity.
Sector Overview
Sustainable Development Goal 6
The Sustainable Development Goals include SDG 6, which the United Nations describes as ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030. In terms of progress with SDG 6, the population using at least basic drinking services has improved. However, population using at least basic sanitation services has stagnated.
Technical Infrastructure Wells serve as the primary source of water for many communities in Mali. The cost of wells and pumps, along with their maintenance, is often very high and therefore leads to poor hygiene practices. The wells are commonly hand dug, which often leads to increased levels of erosion causing contamination of the water from sediment and debris. There is also a risk for stagnant water which provides a breeding ground for bacteria and mosquitos which create the issue of a breeding ground for malaria. In addition, the wells are typically left uncovered and untreated, as treatment is regarded as too expensive or inaccessible. This introduces risks to human health issues, particularly through waterborne diseases.
Water Pricing Water pricing is a sensitive subject: In Kayes, Mali, a survey in early 2000s found households paid on average 23% of their monthly income for water. The price of water per 1,000 liter ranged in their samples from $1.50 USD to $2 USD, a high price in relation to the average local income. Furthermore, retail water sales is a major source of water for poor communities that are not connected to mains. Well water is sold, and the prices vary by the distance from the well.
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