The World Bank has approved a $100 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA) to assist Mali in enhancing access to drinking water and improving the conservation of water sources in several cities. The initiative, known as the Mali Water Security Support Project (PASEMa), aims to bolster water services in Bamako and other secondary cities such as Mopti/Sévaré, San, Ouélessébougou, Dioila, and Bafoulabé/Mahina.
In Bamako, efforts will focus on transferring water between Djikoroni-Para, the Missira station, and Kati-Sud. This includes constructing a pumping station at Missira and a 2,000 cubic meter water tower. Additionally, household connections to the drinking water network will be established.
For secondary cities, PASEMa plans to construct water supply systems capable of delivering 24,000 cubic meters of water daily. This involves setting up production facilities, pumping stations, three 2,000-cubic-meter capacity water towers each with a semi-underground reservoir of 1,000 cubic meters. A distribution network will also be developed along with household connections and public water points on city outskirts.
The project aims to acquire leak detection equipment to minimize water loss and enhance service quality while increasing efficiency within the networks to lower operating costs. Furthermore, PASEMa will develop protective perimeters around water sources located in the Niger and Senegal River basins that supply these cities.
"PASEMa will make it possible to respond in a sustainable manner to the immediate concerns of access to drinking water," stated Clara de Sousa, World Bank Country Director for Mali. She added that it "lays the foundation for long-term resilience" and contributes "to growth in jobs and economic activity in the water sector."
The primary beneficiaries are households within Bamako and other project areas including rural populations benefiting from restored ecosystems through nature-based solutions. Approximately 500,000 people stand to benefit from this project—50% women and 19.2% youth—with about 227,000 gaining access to basic services; 270,000 experiencing improved service quality; while 30,000 individuals residing near project sites enjoy ecosystem restoration benefits.