Abigail Akakpo：TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IN THE REPUBLIC OF MALI

Brief history

Mali began as a small kingdom in the upper scopes of the Niger. However, It became an important kingdom after centuries. The empire developed around its capital of Niani which is the city of Sundjata's birth in the southern savannah country of the upper Niger valley near the gold fields of Bure. The area became known as the Republic of Sudan in October 1958, and in November 1958, it became an independent state within the French community. In January 1959, Senegal and the Republic of Sudan united to form the Federation of Mali under the presidency of Keita. People living in Mali could easily transport bulk goods and larger loads by river than by land because they use the Niger river. Those living in the fertile lands near the Niger suffered less from the drought than those living in the drier regions far north. The Niger river enabled Mali to develop extensively and also contributed to the rise of the Mali Empire. Agriculture products including rice, millet, sorghum, wheat, shea butter, peanuts and cashews provides a unique opportunity for both local and international investors was grown on the flat lands along the river. The national flag of Mali is green, gold and red. Bamako which is the capital of Mali is known for its local markets and live music. The official language of Mali is French. Mali's Great Mosque of Djenne is the largest adobe building in the world. Bamako's Modibo Keita International is Mali's main airport and is located about 15 kilometers south of downtown Bamako, the capital of Mali in West Africa.

（图片来源：Pinterest）

（马里帝国，图片来源：worldatlas.com）

（马里国旗，图片来源：theflager.com）

Transport Systems

The State Transport Agency in Mali is in charge of the country’s Transport system. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has helped finance the refurbishment of Mali's railway system over the past years. As at 2001, Mali had approximately 18,900 passenger cars and 31,700 commercial vehicles. Mali had about 15,100 km of motorways, out of which about 1,827 km were paved in 2002. However, the main road from Dakar (in Senegal) to Bamako (the capital of Mali) is served twice a week by passenger services.

Mali's transport systems are concentrated in the Sudanese and Sahel regions. Mali is a landlocked country; hence its main transport routes are linked to those of neighboring countries and their ports which gives them access to the sea. Mali has there are three international corridors (Tema-Ouagadougou-Bamako, Dakar-Bamako and Abidjan-Ferkesessedougou-Bamako) that links it to the sea. These routes help bring exported goods to central ports of Mali for shipping as well as promoting interregional trade between other nations. The railway line runs from Koulikoro, a short distance northeast of Bamako, northwest to Kayes and to Kidira on the Senegalese border, where it connects to the Senegalese Railway to Dakar. These railroads are being restored and modernized through donor-funded programs.

（图片来源：africabusinesscommunities.com）

（图片来源：maliweb.net）

The country's two major rivers, the Niger and the Sngala, are important transport links which are located northeast of Bamako on the Niger River. Koulikoro is the country's main river port. The entire length of the Niger is controllable in Mali for small boats all year round and for larger vessels from July to January. Mali has a national airline called Compagnie Arienne du Mali which operates both domestic and international flights. Mali's main airport is in Bamako, and there are several smaller ones. Mali has twelve (12) Airports which includes International, Domestic, Military and Private Airports. The patronage of informal buses and taxis in the urban centers of Mali is on the high due to the low rate of private ownership of vehicle as well as scarce government public transport. The capital city (Bamako) in particular is known for its green and yellow brand of taxi. Other vehicles, including trucks, motorcycles, buses and mini-buses also function as taxis. In recent years Mali imported small motorcycles from China as it has become one of the affordable means of transport in Mali.

（南向巴马科-达喀尔走廊，图片来源：forums.x-plane.org）

（里巴马科莫迪博凯塔机场，图片来源：mapafrica.afdb.org）

It is noticeable that Mali is landlocked country which is served by the port of Dakar in Senegal. Niger is 1,782 km long at Mali. Regular operations on the Niger generally operate from July to January. The Senegal is navigable between Kayes and Saint-Louis, Senegal. Mali, Senegal and Mauritania form the Senegal River Development Organization. Mali's transport infrastructure is considered poor even by regional standards, and deficiencies have limited economic growth and development. Meanwhile, improvements were noted in the early 2000s. Most transportation in Mali consists of cars, planes and boats.

Mali has no seaports because it is a landlocked country, but Koulikoro on the Niger near Bamako serves as the main river port. Traditionally, Abidjan in Cte dIvoire was Mali's main seaport, handling up to 70 percent of Malian trade (excluding gold exports). Mali's export trade suffered when turmoil in Cte dIvoire disrupted this trade route in the early 2000s. Mali has 1,815 km of inland waterways, mainly the Niger River, some parts of which are navigable for medium and large vessels during the rainy season (June/July, November/December) in years with normal rainfall. Portions of the Senegal River are also navigable, providing year-round access to the Atlantic Ocean from Kayes to St. Louis in Senegal.

The country’s transport systems are concentrated in the Sudanese and Sahel regions. As Mali is a landlocked country, its main transport routes are linked to those of neighboring countries and their ports to give it access to the sea. Several major paved roads discharge out from Bamako. It is connected to Abidjan in Cte dIvoire, Kankan in Guinea, Monrovia in Liberia and Ayorou in Niger. An all-weather road connects Gao and Svar (Mali) and is part of the Trans-Saharan Highway connecting Algeria and Nigeria. The railway line runs from Koulikoro, a short distance northeast of Bamako, northwest to Kayes and to Kidira on the Senegalese border, where it connects to the Senegalese Railway to Dakar. These railroads are being restored and modernized through donor-funded programs.

The connectivity of Mali's road infrastructure has greatly improved both locally and globally, which has boosted business prospects. The transcontinental intercity highway known as Kankan-Kourmal-Bamako is the only entry and exit point between Conakry (a port city in Guinea) and Bamako (the capital of Mali). The highway has seen an incredible increase in traffic for traveling workers who can now travel longer distances for better work. Mali has done an excellent job of maintaining its roads over time, especially the major highways and inter-regional transport. The road infrastructure in Mali has guaranteed excellent safety for all users. Despite insufficient funding, road infrastructure in Mali has been a priority to pave the way for economic growth. The nation's government has dedicated much of its national funds to the maintenance and development of the entire road network, and as a result, Mali has set an excellent example for neighboring countries on how to diversify the economy through the expansion of transport networks.

（马里城市基础设施完善促进经济发展，图片来源: worldbank.org）

（马里道路基础设施建设助推经济发展，图片来源： borgenproject.org）

References

"The Empire of Mali, In Our Time – BBC Radio 4". BBC. Retrieved 29 October 2015.

"Country Profile: Mali" (PDF). Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. January 2005. Retrieved November 5, 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

http://www.dirco.gov.za/foreign/bilateral/mali.htm

https://www.cheapflights.co.za/flights/Mali/

https://borgenproject.org/infrastructure-in-mali/

https://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Mali-TRANSPORTATION.html#ixzz7P2V3C6Ye

Mali country profile. Library of Congress Federal Research Division (January 2005). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

Mali, Seat 61, http://www.seat61.com/Senegal.htm#.U2JXgMfEc7A

Chinese Motorcycles Flood West Africa Archived 15 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Kari Barber, Voice of America. 27 August 2007.

Motorcycle diaries. Bryony Parker, The New Statesman. 18 June 2009.

Paul Starkey. Local Transport Solutions: People, Paradoxes and Progress. Lessons Arising from the Spread of Intermediate Means of Transport. SSATP Working Paper No. 56. Sub–Saharan Africa Transport Policy Program: The World Bank and Economic Commission for Africa. The World Bank (May 2001). pp. 39–40