Key facts
Mali is a country located in Western Africa. There are 7 countries (Algeria, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal) that Mali shares its borders with. The official language of Mali is French. Traveling across Mali if English is your first (and only) language may be difficult due to language barriers.
In the EF English Competency Index (EF EPI), which assesses the language proficiency of non-native speaking countries, Mali was ranked 106th out of 100 countries in 2021.
The national currency in Mali is West African CFA franc (XOF). The franc is subdivided into 100 centime.
Malian
Banknotes
50010002000500010000
Malian
Coins
1251025100500
Check with your bank before your trip to find out if there are any fees for using your card abroad. Some banks do not charge fees when you use a foreign ATM or pay in foreign currency, but others may charge a fixed cost for each transaction or allow a limited number of free withdrawals. The travel card provided by Wise.com, Revolut or Monose might be an excellent option to cut down on transaction fees.
Ookla® Speedtest The average fixed internet speed in Mali is 28.54 Mbps and mobile is 30.57 Mbs.The global average is 187.01 Mbps and 128.37 Mbps respectively.
ATM Density It may be difficult to locate an ATM in Mali.4.64 ATMs per 100,000 people.The global average is 39.49.
SIM Registration In order to purchase a SIM card in Mali, a passport or ID is required as identification.
Socket types
There are 2 socket types used in Mali. Type C is a popular socket type throughout Europe (except the United Kingdom), Russia, and certain Asian countries.
The sockets’ shapes and voltage differ from country to country and a travel plug adapter may be required. Portable devices, such as phones, notebooks or tablets, usually handle the entire range of voltages used across the world (110-240V).
Sources
- EF English Proficiency Index (EF Education First)
- Speedtest Global Index® (Ookla®)
- Automated teller machines (ATMs) (per 100,000 adults) (The World Bank Group)
- Registration Policies Per Country (Prepaid Data SIM Card Wiki)
Tourism
What hotel chains are present in Mali?
There are no Mariott hotels in Mali.
There are no Hilton hotels in Mali.
There are no IHG hotels in Mali.
There are no Best Western hotels in Mali.
There are Radisson hotels in Bamako.
There are no Accor hotels in Mali.
What fast food chains are present in Mali?
The McDonald’s chain does not operate in Mali.
The KFC chain does not operate in Mali.
The Burger King chain does not operate in Mali.
The Subway chain does not operate in Mali.
The Domino’s Pizza chain does not operate in Mali.
The Starbucks chain does not operate in Mali.
Sources
- Country by National Dish (Samson Daniel)
Weather
What is the weather like in Bamako?
Weather data for Bamako (capital city) by Open-Meteo.com
Transport
Railways There are passenger trains operating between some cities.
Subway Systems There is no subway system in any city.
Taxi Apps Unfortunately neither Uber nor Bolt are available in Mali.
Sources
- List of high-speed railway lines (Wikipedia)
- List of metro systems (Wikipedia)
- Left- and right-hand traffic (Wikipedia)
- The Global Enabling Trade Report 2016: Road connectivity (World Economic Forum)
Safety
Emergency phones in Mali
Sources
- Mali Travel Advisory (United States: Department of State)
- Travel Advice for Mali (United Kingdom: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)
- Mortality caused by road traffic injury (The World Bank Group)
- Corruption & Economic Crime (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
Smoking & Alcohol
Smoking ban Smoking is prohibited in all public areas excluding entertainment and restaurants.
Cananbis legality Both recreational and medicinal use of cannabis is prohibited.
Sources
- List of smoking bans (Wikipedia)
- Legality of cannabis (Wikipedia)