<\/p>\n
The National Council of Employers of Mali (CNPM) convened the meeting with the AfDB in Bamako on September 15.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
About 100 representatives from businesses, professional associations, government institutions, financial organisations and development partners attended.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The meeting sought to help businesses understand AfDB financing products, eligibility requirements and costs while allowing companies to explain investment needs and obstacles to raising capital. \u201cPrivate-sector development is a key driver of growth, investment and job creation,\u201d AfDB Country Manager for Mali C\u00e9dric Achille Mbeng Mezui said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOur ambition is to help businesses better understand the instruments available and turn business opportunities into bankable projects that can attract the financing needed for their development.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
AfDB experts presented financing instruments available to private companies and explained the Bank\u2019s approach to supporting investment.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Discussions covered blended finance, equity investment, political-risk guarantees, technical assistance, financing costs and disbursement timelines.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Participants also considered financing suited to public-private partnerships in renewable energy, agro-industry, transport, infrastructure and the cotton value chain.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
CNPM President Mossadeck Bally said the meeting had helped bring businesses closer to financing mechanisms suited to their needs. \u201cThe priority now is to structure projects more effectively, direct project sponsors to the appropriate financing windows and support initiatives that can generate growth and jobs,\u201d Bally said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Bally urged businesses, financial institutions and public authorities to convert the discussions into practical measures supporting Mali\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Participants identified inadequate project preparation as one of the barriers preventing businesses from securing financing.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Stronger feasibility studies, credible financial plans and clearer risk-management arrangements could make proposed investments more attractive to lenders and private investors.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The initiative forms part of AfDB\u2019s 2026-2031 Country Strategy for Mali, which places private-sector development and employment at the centre of economic transformation.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
AfDB and CNPM agreed to continue engaging businesses, professional organisations, financial institutions and government bodies.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The discussions are expected to support the development of a pipeline of bankable projects capable of attracting investment, expanding Malian businesses and creating sustainable employment for young people and women.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
–AfDB\/ChannelAfrica–<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":44016,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"news-type":[44],"class_list":["post-47186","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news-type-finance","entry"],"acf":{"short_description":"Malian businesses and the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) have opened talks on improving access to finance and turning investment opportunities into bankable projects.","published_date":"","news_description":"Malian businesses and the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) have opened talks on improving access to finance and turning investment opportunities into bankable projects.","form_embed":"","author":"","image_caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/47186","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/47186\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47187,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/47186\/revisions\/47187"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44016"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47186"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"news-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-type?post=47186"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}