Mali and Morocco have renewed discussions on strengthening cooperation in the water sector, placing resource management and access to drinking water at the centre of a growing bilateral partnership.
The talks were held on May 22 in Rabat between Morocco’s Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka and Mali’s Energy and Water Minister Tiémoko Traoré, who was accompanied by Mali’s ambassador to Morocco, Fafré Camara.
The meeting focused on expanding technical cooperation, professional training, meteorological support and assistance with Mali’s national water priorities, as the West African country seeks to improve access and governance in the sector.
Morocco presented its national water strategy, developed in response to growing water stress and recurring drought conditions. The policy relies on large-scale infrastructure development, including dams, hydraulic interconnections, seawater desalination, reuse of treated wastewater and mobile treatment systems for brackish water.
Mali expressed interest in adopting elements of this approach, particularly as it continues to face disparities in access to safe drinking water between urban and rural areas.
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According to Mali’s Ministry of Water, access to drinking water reached 83.2 percent in urban and semi-urban areas in 2024, compared with 67.3 percent in rural regions, bringing the national average to 71.9 percent.
The discussions also included proposals for training Malian officials in Moroccan institutions, as well as cooperation in meteorology and weather modification techniques, including artificial cloud seeding.
The renewed engagement comes as Mali continues to rely on international support to strengthen its water infrastructure. In January 2025, the World Bank approved US$100 million in financing for the country’s Water Security Support Project, aimed at improving drinking water production and distribution systems across several regions.
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Officials said the Rabat meeting reflects a broader ambition by both countries to elevate water cooperation into a strategic pillar of bilateral relations, combining technical expertise with long-term development planning.
At the conclusion of the talks, Minister Baraka indicated that a formal cooperation agreement could be signed to support Mali’s new water plan, with a focus on governance reforms and technical assistance.
The partnership highlights growing South-South cooperation within Africa and North Africa, as countries increasingly exchange expertise to address shared challenges linked to climate change, resource scarcity and infrastructure gaps.
