Mali has significant water resources, but their management remains a major challenge. The country is crossed by two major rivers, the Niger and the Senegal, as well as several seasonal watercourses. It also has vast groundwater reserves, which play a crucial role in providing drinking water and supporting agricultural irrigation.

Despite these resources, Mali faces several challenges:

• Around 30% of the population does not have easy access to drinking water.
• Groundwater and rivers are threatened by contamination from toxic waste, which compromises water quality.
• The country has implemented an Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Action Plan, but further efforts are needed to ensure effective coordination among stakeholders.
• Climate change is an added challenge: rainfall variability and drought affect water availability, making management even more complex.

WaPOR supports Mali in improving water management by enabling the monitoring and enhancement of agricultural water productivity through satellite data. Mali relies heavily on agriculture, which employs 80% of the population and contributes 45% to the GDP. Efficient water management is therefore essential.