Mali Cedes Strategic Land to Guinea to Deepen Trade Cooperation

West Africa WeeklyFebruary 2, 20261 Mins read17

Mali has approved the transfer of a strategic parcel of land to the Republic of Guinea as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral trade and logistics cooperation. The decision was taken during a Council of Ministers meeting chaired by transitional president Assimi Goïta.

The land, measuring approximately 10 hectares, is located at Tomodo Koumacra in the rural commune of Benkadi within the Kangaba district. Authorities say it will be developed into storage facilities and transport infrastructure to support the movement of goods between the two neighbouring countries.

Landlocked Mali relies heavily on regional transit corridors for imports and exports, particularly through the port of Conakry in Guinea. The government says the project will help ease congestion, reduce transit costs and secure Mali’s access to maritime trade routes amid shifting regional dynamics.

Officials also pointed to the reciprocal nature of the relationship, noting that Guinea had previously allocated 20 hectares of land in Kankan for Malian storage and logistics use. The arrangement is seen as part of a broader strategy to diversify Mali’s trade routes and reduce dependence on a single corridor.

The land transfer underscores growing economic cooperation between Bamako and Conakry at a time when regional integration and self-reliance have become central policy themes for several Sahelian governments.