In a bold move toward financial sovereignty, the military-led governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have launched their own regional investment bank. With an initial capital of $895 million, the institution aims to fund critical infrastructure, energy, and agricultural projects. This initiative represents a direct effort by the three mineral-rich nations—major producers of gold and uranium—to forge independent economic solutions. The bank’s creation follows their recent exit from the West African regional bloc, Economic Community of West African States, which they criticized for inadequate support against a devastating Islamist insurgency. By pooling their resources, these Sahel states are seeking “homegrown” financial stability and a coordinated path to development amid significant political and climate challenges.
Bloomberg