Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Launch $895 Million Regional Investment Bank

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have launched a regional investment bank capitalized at US$895 million (500 billion CFA francs) to fund critical infrastructure, energy, and agricultural projects—marking a bold step toward greater financial sovereignty.

The bank, formally established at a signing ceremony in Mali’s capital, will pool resources from the three mineral-rich nations: Mali and Burkina Faso are among Africa’s top gold producers, while Niger holds substantial uranium reserves.

“Creating a development bank is a matter of financial stability, economic development, and financing strategic projects,” said Burkina Faso’s Finance Minister Aboubakar Nacanabo.

The initiative follows plans to earmark roughly 5 percent of each country’s tax revenues to capitalize the institution, according to Serge Balima, an adviser to Burkina Faso’s junta leader, Ibrahim Traoré. The move forms part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on foreign donors and assert control over national development priorities.

All three nations have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), citing the bloc’s failure to support their fight against a surging Islamist insurgency. They now face compounding pressures from political instability and climate shocks.

Mali’s Finance Minister Alousséni Sanou confirmed the bank is operational, with leadership appointments pending to drive regional fundraising and project deployment.