Russia and Mali have signed a Transport Cooperation Roadmap covering 2026–2030. The agreement aims to advance joint infrastructure projects and position Mali as a key hub in an emerging Russia–West Africa transport corridor.
The roadmap was signed in Moscow by Russian Transport Minister Dmitry Yadrov and Mali’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Madina Sissoko Dembélé. It builds on a Memorandum of Cooperation concluded earlier in the spring (linked to discussions at the Russia–Islamic World KazanForum) and sets a framework for concrete collaboration.
According to statements from the Russian Ministry of Transport and Sputnik Africa reporting, the sides discussed:
Involving Russian companies in developing transport corridors linking landlocked Mali to seaports in other African countries.
Construction of logistics infrastructure, railways, and roads.
Inland waterway transport development.
Airport modernization.
Professional training for Malian specialists
Malian universities already participate in the Russian-African Network Transport University. Russia has indicated readiness to offer internships for Malian engineers, technicians, and managers at Russian transport higher-education institutions.
Yadrov stated that Mali is “one of Russia’s most important partners and a key participant in the emerging route ‘Russia – West Africa.’” He proposed examining Russian companies’ participation in corridors connecting Mali to African ports and organizing through shipments with supporting logistics infrastructure.