WASHINGTON, March 26, 2026 – The World Bank has committed a $150 million credit through its International Development Association (IDA) to bolster the continuous provision of vital health and education services across Mali. This significant financial injection is strategically designed to counter the formidable climate, security, and economic hurdles the nation has faced in recent years.

Known as the Emergency Access to Essential Services Project in Mali, this initiative will ensure the sustained operation of national and regional healthcare facilities. It will achieve this by covering their operational expenditures, guaranteeing the supply of critical vaccines and medicines, and offering free medical care to women of reproductive age and children under five. Furthermore, the project aims to enhance the capabilities of health professionals to effectively manage escalating health risks linked to climate change. In the education sector, the program will support students throughout their academic journey, providing essential learning materials, offering school grants to the most vulnerable pupils, and facilitating the administration of national examinations.

This operation directly contributes to the World Bank Group’s broader agenda for employment by diligently safeguarding human capital.

“By maintaining access to health and education services amidst severe budgetary constraints, this project protects the pipeline of future workers and their productive potential,” explained Clara de Sousa, World Bank Group Divisional Director for Mali. “Healthy, educated children and healthy mothers form a sustainable and productive workforce.”

The project is set to benefit 2.3 million individuals by improving their access to fundamental health services, with a specific focus on 1.4 million women and 391,395 children under the age of five. Within the educational sphere, 1.1 million students will receive crucial schooling support and access to national exams under established standards, thereby fostering educational continuity and the development of human capital.

This endeavor complements existing interventions by various development partners and is founded on extensive consultations and dedicated coordination mechanisms, ensuring efficient and harmonized implementation.