WASHINGTON, June 28, 2024 – The World Bank has greenlit a $100 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA)* to empower Mali in enhancing access to and utilization of critical, high-quality reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, adolescent, and nutritional health services. This initiative also aims to fortify health emergency preparedness across designated areas.

Employing a Results-Based Financing (RBF) methodology, the project, aptly named “Promoting Inclusive Health System Resilience for All in Mali,” or Keneya Yiriwali (in Bambara), seeks to elevate the overall quality of essential health services. This particularly focuses on Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child, Adolescent Health, and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) by expanding coverage zones and strengthening various tiers of the health pyramid. It will provide necessary inputs and performance-linked payments in targeted regions and schools, contingent on resource availability, to boost service delivery efficiency and accessibility. This expansion encompasses climate-vulnerable areas, regional hospitals, and school infirmaries, with a distinct emphasis on adolescent health, climate-related emergencies, and robust pandemic preparedness and response. Furthermore, the project endeavors to optimize the quality of health sector expenditures through improved budgetary resource management, the consolidation of health financing, and information systems that link budgets directly to performance outcomes.

“The expansion of Results-Based Financing, now incorporating climate risks related to both energy and emergency management, serves as a vital catalyst for improving the provision of quality healthcare services to communities through the Keneya Yiriwali project. This initiative builds upon the achievements of the Project to Accelerate Progress Towards Universal Health Coverage (PACSU), which significantly enhanced healthcare utilization, quality scores, medicine availability, and patient satisfaction across nine administrative regions,” articulated Clara de Sousa, World Bank Country Director for Mali. “RBF has proven to be a transformative instrument, strengthening the capabilities of health facilities and fostering local recruitment, infrastructure development, and laboratory equipping throughout Mali.”

The comprehensive IDA operation totals $125 million, comprising the $100 million IDA credit and an additional $25 million grant from the Global Financing Facility (GFF). This includes a $15 million contribution from the Government of the Netherlands, co-financed through the GFF. This pivotal partnership facilitated the effective implementation of the RBF approach from 2020 to 2024 via PACSU in Mali.

“Building on previous support, the GFF grant and co-financing from the Government of the Netherlands will ensure strong alignment in Mali to enhance health services for women, children, and adolescents,” stated Luc Laviolette, Head of the GFF Secretariat. “Investing in a more resilient and inclusive health system is crucial for meeting the needs of the most hard-to-reach and climate-vulnerable communities.”

Keneya Yiriwali is set to primarily benefit women, adolescents, and children, impacting a total population of 15.4 million people, including 3 million children under five and 3.4 million women aged 15 to 49. Its geographical reach will extend from the regions initially covered by PACSU—namely Gao, Mopti, Douentza, Bandiagara, San, Segou, Koulikoro, Dioila, and Nara—to new areas such as Tombouctou, Bougouni, Koutiala, and Sikasso, which exhibit the highest poverty rates, as well as Commune VI of the Bamako district.

*The International Development Association (IDA) is the World Bank’s institution dedicated to assisting the world’s poorest countries. Established in 1960, IDA provides grants and low to zero-interest loans to fund projects and programs designed to spur economic growth, alleviate poverty, and improve the lives of the most disadvantaged. IDA stands as a leading financier for 76 of the planet’s poorest nations, with 39 located in Africa. IDA’s resources bring about positive change for 1.6 billion people. Since its inception, IDA has supported development activities in 113 countries. Its annual commitments have averaged $21 billion over the past three years, with approximately 61% allocated to Africa.