Mali and Senegal Collaborate to Unblock Critical Dakar-Bamako Trade CorridorDakar/Bamako - November 21, 2025

In a bid to address growing trade disruptions caused by rising insecurity in Mali, the Malian Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, accompanied by the Director General of the Senegalese Port, visited the Autonomous Port of Dakar on November 21, 2025. The meeting focused on resolving bottlenecks along the Dakar-Bamako trade corridor, where over 2,000 containers, including high-profile shipments such as the Marian container, remain stranded, directly affecting Mali’s supply chains and commercial flows.

The Malian Minister noted that some containers remain within their permitted free time, while others have exceeded it, highlighting the urgency of coordinated action to mitigate economic losses.

The visit aimed to develop an evacuation plan in collaboration with Senegalese carriers to ensure the safe and efficient movement of goods along the corridor, overcoming obstacles posed by jihadist activity and heightened insecurity in transit regions.

The Director General of the Port of Dakar, Walid Boudon, reaffirmed Senegal’s commitment to supporting Mali and underscored the importance of regional cooperation in maintaining trade continuity despite security challenges.