Mali and Morocco join forces to make their diaspora a driver of productive investment.
Written by: Ayman Ragab
Six million Malians live outside the country's borders. This represents enormous human and economic potential that the government, with support from Morocco, intends to transform into a cornerstone of sovereign and sustainable development.
The second edition of the International Forum of the Diaspora (FID) will be held at the Bamako International Conference Center (CICB) from 16 to 18 July 2026. The theme chosen this year is: “Malian Diaspora and Productive Investments: Building Economically Strong Mali for Sustainable Development”.
Morocco is the guest of honor at this year's event, reflecting the authorities' commitment to making the diaspora a key element in national economic development. The opening ceremony was presided over by the Prime Minister, Major General Abdallahi Maiga.
According to the Moroccan ambassador to Mali, Idriss Esbayne, his country shares a similar experience with its diaspora. He notes that Morocco has six million citizens living abroad, a figure comparable to the number of its citizens residing abroad.
Maintaining the connection of expatriates with their homeland
Idris Espain believes that ”both countries face the same challenge: maintaining the connection of expatriates to the country, but above all encouraging them to invest more in what is economically profitable and beneficial to the economy.” .
Alematou Diallo, a Senegalese citizen who has lived in Mali for several years, expressed her gratitude to Mali for its hospitality, saying, “Since settling in Mali, I have never felt isolated.” She added, ”This initiative allows us to develop and promote our products.“.
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Habib Sylla, president of the High Council of Malians Living Abroad, still remembers the moving words of the transitional president, General Assimi Goïta, during a meeting with members of the Malian diaspora at the end of the first Foreign Investment Forum. He declared: ”Do not hesitate to come and invest in your country. I am fully prepared to help you should you encounter any obstacles; my door is wide open to you.“.
For Habib Sylla, ”this is the strongest signal the diaspora could have hoped for.“ He encouraged Malians abroad to continue investing in promising sectors.
Integrated digital infrastructure
The Minister of Malians Living Abroad and African Integration, Moussa Ag Attaher, affirms that ”the diaspora is by no means marginalized on the periphery of the homeland, but rather is a pulse at the heart of its destiny.“.
He adds that ”the Expatriates Center is more than just a digital platform; it is a fully integrated digital infrastructure meticulously designed to sustainably connect expatriate financial professionals with their homeland, their institutions, and broad development prospects.” .
Prime Minister General Abdoulaye Maiga announced that this genuine strategy for the economic, social and institutional transformation of Mali reflects the ambition to build a sovereign, prosperous, resilient and united nation by mobilizing all skills, including those of the diaspora. .
He adds that ”this ambition is part of the dynamic of the Sahel Alliance, which provides renewed space for economic integration, regional solidarity and mutually beneficial cooperation. The Malian diaspora is called upon to play a leading role through their expertise, experience, networks and investment capacity; they form a link between Mali, the Union and the rest of the world.“.
