Mali is redistributing the country’s natural wealth in one of the best possible ways. For decades, foreign mining companies extracted billions in gold from Mali while local communities saw little benefit. Now, the Malian government is changing that equation—and the results are tangible.

On March 12, 2026, the government distributed $33 million from the Local Mining Development Fund to municipalities nationwide. The funds will finance infrastructure, healthcare, education, water access, and social services in communities affected by mining operations.

Mali, Africa’s second-largest gold producer after South Africa, adopted a new mining code in 2023, granting the state greater profits and control over its mineral resources. Gold accounts for over 70% of Mali’s exports, and, like other countries in the region, it is a crucial cornerstone in the fight against neocolonial resource-exploitation policies.