The event, held in Bamako on 25 August 2025, brought together around twenty participants from the technical working group of the Water Investment Programme (WIP or PIE), representing key stakeholders in the water and environment sectors.
Organised as part of the implementation of the AU-AIP Multi-Country GCF Readiness Project funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), this inception workshop laid the foundations for a collaborative dynamic among stakeholders. Participants validated the methodological note and the mission’s implementation schedule, while agreeing on a consensual roadmap for developing the Mali PIE. Roles and responsibilities of the actors were clarified, and initial expectations were collected to guide the work of the national consultant recruited for this purpose.
Voices united for a common vision
In his address, Mr. Mamadou GOUMANE, Deputy Director General of the Agency for the Environment and Sustainable Development (AEDD), stressed the urgency of structuring investments in the sector:
“While our country has commendable national policies in the field of water resources management, it must be acknowledged that we still suffer from a critical lack of structured and resilient investment documents.”
For his part, Mr. Daouda TRAORE, Deputy National Director of Hydraulics, called for collective mobilisation:
“It is together, through consultations, workshops and teamwork, that we will be able to define investment needs, identify concrete projects, and put in place an effective financing strategy.”
A continental project, a national ambition
This process is part of the Continental Water Investment Programme in Africa (AIP), led by the African Union Commission and implemented by GWP Southern Africa and the GWP Africa Coordination Unit. The Acting Executive Secretary of GWP-WA, Mr. Sidi COULIBALY, recalled that this project aims to support fifteen countries, including Mali, in preparing bankable projects within the water sector, aligned with national climate priorities and GCF requirements.
With funding of over six million US dollars from the Green Climate Fund, this Readiness project is supporting countries, including Mali, to develop a robust PIE that integrates an investment plan and a financing strategy capable of addressing water security and climate resilience challenges.
