Mali seeks Turkish firms in energy, agriculture and health after defense ties

Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop said on the sidelines of the BAMEX exhibition in Bamako that Mali seeks technology transfer and wants to expand its partnership with Ankara to include the economy and industry.

Mali's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop, said his country wants to transform its relations with Türkiye from defense cooperation into a broader economic, commercial and industrial partnership, calling on Turkish companies to invest in Mali, particularly in the energy, agriculture and health sectors.

Diop made the remarks to Anadolu on the sidelines of the second edition of the Bamako International Defense and Security Exhibition (BAMEX 2026), organized by Mali's Ministry of Defense in partnership with Turkish company "The Peak Defense." The exhibition runs from November 9 to 13 at the exhibition complex in the capital, Bamako.

Technology transfer a priority

The minister said Mali wants to obtain advanced technologies and equipment, but also wants technology transfer, adding: "We want to work with partners such as Türkiye to develop our own capabilities." He explained that his country is gradually seeking to move away from partnerships that create dependency, and that new partnerships should help Mali and other African countries ensure their own security.

وزير الخارجية المالي عبد الله ديوب يدير الجلسة الافتتاحية لمعرض BAMEX 2026 (الخارجية المالية)

Diop expressed his satisfaction with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Türkiye's readiness to meet Mali's equipment needs, thanking Ankara for its continued support. "Türkiye stood by us despite all the difficulties of this period," he said. He also expressed regret over Turkish Airlines' temporary suspension of flights to Bamako, hoping they would resume soon because of air transport's role in strengthening cooperation.

Senior Turkish presence

Malian Prime Minister General Abdoulaye Maïga opened the exhibition on November 9 and toured the pavilions of participating companies with exhibition director Haroun Sarac. Türkiye's Deputy Minister of Defense Bilal Durdalı, Deputy Head of the Turkish Presidency of Defense Industries Gökhan Uçar and Türkiye's ambassador to Mali, Afe Ceylan, took part in the first day's tours.

Diop noted that while last year's first edition was limited to Turkish companies, this year's exhibition features several countries, including Russia, China and the United States, as well as a large number of African countries. He said the broader participation sends a message to those who sought to impose a blockade on Mali.

Mali seeks Turkish firms in energy, agriculture and health after defense ties