Mali faces a range of obstacles on its path to energy independence, from regular power outages and massive debts of its main energy company, to the high cost of fuel for generators. Experts, government officials, and regular citizens spoke to the African Initiative about the country's current energy situation, potential solutions, and the role Russia plays in Mali's energy security.
Power Cuts During Ramadan
Although Mali is one of Africa's poorest countries, its economy grows by about 5% each year, and demand for electricity increases by 10% annually. Existing infrastructure cannot meet the country's growing needs, leading to daily blackouts even in the capital, Bamako. Wealthier residents rely on generators; those with fewer resources often go without electricity, unable to afford generator fuel.
Most of Mali's electricity is consumed by households, while industry — largely extractive — makes up only a small portion of the energy balance. The situation becomes especially difficult during Ramadan, a month highly significant for Mali's 90% Muslim population. After evening prayers, families gather at home, increasing household electricity usage. To address this, the government managed to provide up to 19 hours of uninterrupted power daily during Ramadan this year.
Locals say the power cuts in Bamako have become especially severe lately. "Since 2024, electricity has only been available for an average of 6–8 hours per day," says Bamako resident Lucy Kanaté.
"As a result, more and more families are switching to solar panels, abandoning centralized electricity altogether. This Ramadan, the number of outages did decrease — the government mostly kept its promise, but the supply varies by neighborhood. If you live near a school or hospital, you can expect more stable power," she adds.
Amadou Touré, an advisor to the mayor of Bamako's 1st commune, confirms that 2024 was a particularly 'dark' year.
"Last year, Mali's energy crisis hit a peak after worsening for several years. The capital, the country's social and economic heart, felt it most. This seriously hurt small businesses: welders, owners of restaurants, cafés, little shops selling frozen meat, fish, and fresh fruit suffered the most. However, in 2025, there has been some improvement thanks to government efforts, and now we see a glimmer of hope for reliable energy," says Touré.
Waiting for a Miracle
Vsevolod Sviridov, deputy director at the Centre for African Studies at HSE University, explains that Mali lacks oil and gas reserves, and its hydro potential is limited. This leaves the country dependent on expensive imported diesel and fuel oil for thermal power generation.
"Mali's total installed generation capacity is just over 1 gigawatt (GW)," Sviridov notes. "That's about ten times less than Moscow's total capacity, and comparable to a single large Moscow power plant (CHP-20), which supplies electricity to just one district of the Russian capital. To electrify the country and meet growing urban demand, Mali will need at least 5 GW in the medium term."
Sviridov adds that part of the energy shortage could be addressed by investing in renewable energy — particularly solar and wind. This is well-suited for rural areas or small cities, but won't be enough to stabilize the entire national grid.
