New project to increase access to water in Mali

In a recent agreement between the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the Republic of Mali, $44 million has been allocated to fund the Kabala Water Project.

The funding will go toward the second phase of the project and will drastically improve the lives of individuals in the vicinity of Bamako by increasing access to drinking water from 60.25 percent in 2013 to 80 percent after 2020. These improvements are critical to the 8.5 million people living in the region.

The signers of the agreement were IDB Acting President Dr. Ahmet Tiktik and Mali Minister for Energy and Water Mamadou Frankaly Keita. The signing took place in Jeddah, at the IDB headquarters.

"This project is very important for the people of Mali," Dr. Tiktik said. "[The] IDB will work together with the government of Mali to expedite implementation."

Since 1978, the IDB has funded numerous projects, with a cumulative sum of $950 million.

Dr. Muhtar stated that IDB will continue to work with various countries.