Mali
Republic of Mali
Africa
Geography
Area 1,240,192 sq km. Landlocked state. Dry
southern grasslands merge into the Sahara Desert.
The Niger River runs through the southern part
of the country.
Population Ann Gr Density
2010 13,323,104 2.40% 11/sq km
2020 16,767,115 2.26% 14/sq km
2030 20,466,789 1.93% 17/sq km
Capital Bamako 1,698,520. Urbanites 33.3%.
Pop under 15 yrs 44%. Life expectancy 48.1
yrs.
Peoples
Sub-Saharan African peoples 89.4%. 55
peoples. Major people clusters:
Malinke-Bambara 30.2%. Bambara 28.9%.
Gur 17.4%. 23 peoples. Senoufo(4) 10.0%; Dogon(15)
5.4%; Bobo (Bomu/Bwa) 1.4%.
Soninke 12.5%. Soninke 8.1%; Bozo(4) 4.4%.
Malinke 10.2%. 9 peoples. Kita 6.9%; Khasonke 1.4%;
Maninka 1.2%.
Fulbe 9.7%. Maasina Fulani 7.0%; 4 other groups.
Songhai 7.2%. Songhai(3) 6.5%; Idaksahak 0.7%.
Other Sub-Saharan Africans 2.2%.
Arab/Berber 10.5%. Tuareg (speaking two
Tamacheq languages and including Bella, the former
slaves of the Tuareg) 5.1%; Arab 5.4% including Moor
3.0%.
Other 0.1%. Mostly French.
Literacy 19%. Official language French.
Trade languages Bambara, Fulbe, Songhai. All
languages 60. Indigenous languages 56.
Languages with Scriptures 4Bi 10NT 20por
17w.i.p.
Economy
One of the world’s poorest nations. Subsistence
farming and fishing occupies 80% of the
population; drought, locust plagues and
desertification frequently devastate the land.
The exports of gold and cotton are highly
vulnerable to market fluctuations.
HDI Rank 178th/182. Public debt 72.5% of
GDP. Income/person $657 (1% of USA).
Politics
The modern successor to the great Malian
empire of AD 1230-1400. Independent from
France in 1960. Popular protests ousted a
military dictatorship in 1991. Elections and a
multiparty democracy have since endured.
Tuareg unrest in the northeast sees frequent
outbreaks of violence, usually settled by
government concessions over autonomy or
poverty reduction. But restive Moors in the
north and Al-Qaeda add to the trouble,
augmented even further by rapidly growing
drug cartels using the desert as a transshipment
point for drugs from South America into
Europe.
Religion
A secular state with freedom of religion
despite the large Muslim majority. Islam is
strongest in the north and centre. The
traditionally animist peoples, such as Dogon,
Bobo and Senufo, are now largely Muslim; the
window of opportunity to reach them before
their Islamization is now all but closed.
Religions Pop % Population Ann Gr
Muslim 87.38 11,641,728 2.6%
Ethnoreligionist 9.88 1,316,323 0.8%
Christian 2.64 351,730 2.5%
Non-religious 0.10 13,323 2.4%
Christians Denoms Pop % Affiliates Ann Gr
Protestant 17 0.70 93,000 2.5%
Independent 8 0.01 1,000 5.1%
Catholic 1 1.92 256,000 2.4%
Marginal 1 0.01 1,000 1.5%
Churches MegaBloc Congs Members Affiliates
Catholic Church C 45 143,017 256,000
Evang Protestant Ch P 260 22,000 43,000
CMA P 360 9,875 39,500
Assemblies of God P 67 1,107 3,100
Seventh-day Adventist P 4 1,650 2,250
Alliance Mission P 24 486 1,020
Jehovah’s Witnesses M 11 275 880
Church of Pentecost I 13 583 670
Norwegian Prot Mission P 18 264 660
Evang Baptist Mission P 8 242 460
Other denominations[15] 116 1,662 3,521
Total Christians [27] 926 181,161 351,061
Answers to Prayer
1 The continuing stability, in the midst of poverty, is a reason for praise. Mali stands as a
role model of democracy and stability in a sea of troubled nations, free from the coups,
civil wars and shady politics of its neighbours. It remains secular despite strong pressure from
neighbouring countries to become an Islamic state.
2 The consolidation of the gospel is an answer to prayer:
a) The Church is taking root in a number of the cultures and peoples of Mali as believers
persevere and second-generation Christians emerge.
b) A diversity of ministry sees church planting, development work and all types of holistic
approaches bear fruit. Most missions combine outreach with works of compassion, since both
are clearly needed.
c) Partnerships have formed for all Protestant ministries in Mali – Association des Groupements
d’Églises et Missions Protestantes Évangéliques au Mali (AGEMPEM) – and for the evangelization
of seven of the largest or most strategic peoples in Mali or West Africa generally: the Bozo,
Fulbe, Malinke, Soninke and Tuareg.
Challenges for Prayer
1 Mali’s socio-economic quandary is sobering. It is one of the poorest nations on earth,
with people making on average $1.5US/day. Cotton growing employs one-third of the
population but is highly vulnerable to world market fluctuations and competing growers
elsewhere. Functional literacy is low and secondary school enrolment is under 20%. About onefifth
of children will not survive to the age of five, and of those who do, one-third will be
malnourished. Two-thirds of the land area is desert or semi-desert, and the threat of desertification
is ever present. Pray that Mali’s leaders have wisdom and insight in knowing how to provide health,
education, gainful employment and long-term stability to their people.
2 Islam in Mali tends to be moderate and uniquely West African. The large majority practice
a tolerant brand of Islam that incorporates elements of African traditional religions and
superstitious folk practices. Large amounts of aid from Libya and Saudi Arabia keep the population
further tied to Islam. In Bamako alone, over 3,000 Qur’anic schools and individual marabouts teach
about 40% of children. Pray for Muslims in Mali to have the opportunity to hear, read about and
experience Jesus and the assurance of salvation He alone offers.
3 The number of Christians has not increased by enough to even keep pace with
Mali’s rapid population growth – evangelicals fell from 0.91% of the population in 1990
to 0.69% in 2010. Most growth is biological, and many who make decisions for Christ return
to their former religion. This could be addressed with better follow-up through evangelism
activities, discipleship programmes, pastoral training and Bible schools, but lack of funds to train
for and support such ventures is a real problem. There are nearly 700 evangelical congregations,
but most of them are not actively engaged in evangelism and outreach, despite many in Mali
being spiritually open. Pray for boldness, passion and a burden for the unsaved to awaken in the
churches and for a new wave of evangelism such as happened in the 1980s.
TransBloc Pop % Population Ann Gr
Evangelicals
Evangelicals 0.7 93,630 2.5%
Renewalists
Charismatics 0.2 29,347 6.2%
Pentecostals <0.1 4,120 2.7%
4 Opportunities abound for a positive impact by caring Christians. Pray for the many
agencies actively involved in the following: church planting and evangelism (Avant,
CAPRO, World Venture); relief; local development to conserve soil, vegetation and water
(CRWM, Norwegian Lutherans); education (UWM); digging wells; and medical outreach (CMA,
Allianz Mission). All of these groups minister in more than just one way, and many others work in
Mali as well. The door is open to serve in Mali; ask God to send more workers for the harvest.
5 Missions have multiplied and few areas of the country are untargeted, but breakthrough
has not yet been seen. Mali is still a pioneer missions country, with two-thirds of the
population unevangelized. For years there were only four Protestant missions – Avant, CMA,
and then UWM and Evangelical Baptists. Only in the more receptive Avant and CMA areas
have strong churches emerged. There are now over 40 agencies from all continents, comprising
several hundred workers. But the trickle of responses has not yet become a flood. More and
more African and even Malian ministries work here; pray for them to collaborate with foreign
missions and to have a galvanizing effect on the national churches.
6 Bamako, the capital and only major city in the country, has 60 small churches and over
100 expatriate missionaries, but only a minority are involved in urban church planting.
Many suburbs are still without a meaningful witness, even as the city rapidly grows and spreads.
The churches struggle with limited facilities and with expanding what facilities do exist. A
prominent, visible Christianity – with actual buildings as symbols of growth and presence –
would be an answer to prayer; a dynamic, growing movement of people to Christ irrespective
of physical infrastructure would be even greater!
7 Of the 60 indigenous ethnic groups, only five are more than 1% evangelical – the
Bambara (1.1%), Bobo (2.9%), Dogon (3.5%) and Senufo (1%). All peoples are in desperate
need of the good news; 35 of them are categorized as unreached. Pray also for the smaller
(therefore often neglected) groups of 25,000 people or less with no or few known believers
(Wolof, Fulbe Jeeri, Kagoro, Banka, Yalunka, Jahanka, Humburi-Senni, Pana, Tiemacewe). Ask
God to reveal the right approach so that they might be reached with the gospel. Pray for a
decisive breakthrough among all peoples.
8 There are a few strategic peoples among whom pioneer work has been established,
but for which prayer is requested:
a) The Bambara are a key people for the evangelization of the country. Many agencies work
among them, and most denominations include some Bambara speakers. There are small
victories in evangelism but no major breakthroughs. Pray for the spiritual and numerical
growth of the church among this strategic people.
b) The Fulbe (mostly Fulbe Maasina), who are often semi-nomadic, reside throughout the
country but are concentrated in central Mali. Several groups of believers are discipled by
workers from nine different agencies, including the Norwegian Lutherans, CRWM, Pioneers
and the Eglise Protestante. Some solid foundations are laid for a more significant spiritual
breakthrough among these peoples.
c) The Northern peoples are more strongly Muslim, yet hard pioneering work has resulted in
some congregations and believers among the Tamacheq/Tuareg and Songhai.
i Work among the desert-dwelling, semi-nomadic Tamacheq is often disrupted by frequent
insurrections, but upheaval, desertification and urbanization create opportunities for the
gospel. The Idaksahak, a distinct Muslim people living among the Tamacheq, appear
responsive. There are now congregations of Tamacheq believers and a NT.
ii The Songhai, once rulers of an empire, practice folk Islam with strong elements of sorcery.
There is Baptist work among them, and the JESUS film and portions of Scripture –
especially in audio format – are proving effective.
d) The Dogon, including 15 sub-groups, are known for their traditional religion with rich
mythology, songs and masks. But many looking for alternatives now turn to Islam. The
Dogon are more evangelized than most groups in Mali through the CMA, and they have a
relative wealth of Christian resources (NT, the JESUS film, audio resources, holistic ministry
projects); this unprecedented opportunity for the gospel must not be missed.
e) The Soninke group, including the four Bozo fishermen peoples, has very few Christians but
are engaged by teams from many different missions. The Soninke presence across much of
Answers to Prayer
1 The continuing stability, in the midst of poverty, is a reason for praise. Mali stands as a
role model of democracy and stability in a sea of troubled nations, free from the coups,
civil wars and shady politics of its neighbours. It remains secular despite strong pressure from
neighbouring countries to become an Islamic state.
2 The consolidation of the gospel is an answer to prayer:
a) The Church is taking root in a number of the cultures and peoples of Mali as believers
persevere and second-generation Christians emerge.
b) A diversity of ministry sees church planting, development work and all types of holistic
approaches bear fruit. Most missions combine outreach with works of compassion, since both
are clearly needed.
c) Partnerships have formed for all Protestant ministries in Mali – Association des Groupements
d’Églises et Missions Protestantes Évangéliques au Mali (AGEMPEM) – and for the evangelization
of seven of the largest or most strategic peoples in Mali or West Africa generally: the Bozo,
Fulbe, Malinke, Soninke and Tuareg.
Challenges for Prayer
1 Mali’s socio-economic quandary is sobering. It is one of the poorest nations on earth,
with people making on average $1.5US/day. Cotton growing employs one-third of the
population but is highly vulnerable to world market fluctuations and competing growers
elsewhere. Functional literacy is low and secondary school enrolment is under 20%. About onefifth
of children will not survive to the age of five, and of those who do, one-third will be
malnourished. Two-thirds of the land area is desert or semi-desert, and the threat of desertification
is ever present. Pray that Mali’s leaders have wisdom and insight in knowing how to provide health,
education, gainful employment and long-term stability to their people.
2 Islam in Mali tends to be moderate and uniquely West African. The large majority practice
a tolerant brand of Islam that incorporates elements of African traditional religions and
superstitious folk practices. Large amounts of aid from Libya and Saudi Arabia keep the population
further tied to Islam. In Bamako alone, over 3,000 Qur’anic schools and individual marabouts teach
about 40% of children. Pray for Muslims in Mali to have the opportunity to hear, read about and
experience Jesus and the assurance of salvation He alone offers.
3 The number of Christians has not increased by enough to even keep pace with
Mali’s rapid population growth – evangelicals fell from 0.91% of the population in 1990
to 0.69% in 2010. Most growth is biological, and many who make decisions for Christ return
to their former religion. This could be addressed with better follow-up through evangelism
activities, discipleship programmes, pastoral training and Bible schools, but lack of funds to train
for and support such ventures is a real problem. There are nearly 700 evangelical congregations,
but most of them are not actively engaged in evangelism and outreach, despite many in Mali
being spiritually open. Pray for boldness, passion and a burden for the unsaved to awaken in the
churches and for a new wave of evangelism such as happened in the 1980s.
TransBloc Pop % Population Ann Gr
Evangelicals
Evangelicals 0.7 93,630 2.5%
Renewalists
Charismatics 0.2 29,347 6.2%
Pentecostals <0.1 4,120 2.7%
4 Opportunities abound for a positive impact by caring Christians. Pray for the many
agencies actively involved in the following: church planting and evangelism (Avant,
CAPRO, World Venture); relief; local development to conserve soil, vegetation and water
(CRWM, Norwegian Lutherans); education (UWM); digging wells; and medical outreach (CMA,
Allianz Mission). All of these groups minister in more than just one way, and many others work in
Mali as well. The door is open to serve in Mali; ask God to send more workers for the harvest.
5 Missions have multiplied and few areas of the country are untargeted, but breakthrough
has not yet been seen. Mali is still a pioneer missions country, with two-thirds of the
population unevangelized. For years there were only four Protestant missions – Avant, CMA,
and then UWM and Evangelical Baptists. Only in the more receptive Avant and CMA areas
have strong churches emerged. There are now over 40 agencies from all continents, comprising
several hundred workers. But the trickle of responses has not yet become a flood. More and
more African and even Malian ministries work here; pray for them to collaborate with foreign
missions and to have a galvanizing effect on the national churches.
6 Bamako, the capital and only major city in the country, has 60 small churches and over
100 expatriate missionaries, but only a minority are involved in urban church planting.
Many suburbs are still without a meaningful witness, even as the city rapidly grows and spreads.
The churches struggle with limited facilities and with expanding what facilities do exist. A
prominent, visible Christianity – with actual buildings as symbols of growth and presence –
would be an answer to prayer; a dynamic, growing movement of people to Christ irrespective
of physical infrastructure would be even greater!
7 Of the 60 indigenous ethnic groups, only five are more than 1% evangelical – the
Bambara (1.1%), Bobo (2.9%), Dogon (3.5%) and Senufo (1%). All peoples are in desperate
need of the good news; 35 of them are categorized as unreached. Pray also for the smaller
(therefore often neglected) groups of 25,000 people or less with no or few known believers
(Wolof, Fulbe Jeeri, Kagoro, Banka, Yalunka, Jahanka, Humburi-Senni, Pana, Tiemacewe). Ask
God to reveal the right approach so that they might be reached with the gospel. Pray for a
decisive breakthrough among all peoples.
8 There are a few strategic peoples among whom pioneer work has been established,
but for which prayer is requested:
a) The Bambara are a key people for the evangelization of the country. Many agencies work
among them, and most denominations include some Bambara speakers. There are small
victories in evangelism but no major breakthroughs. Pray for the spiritual and numerical
growth of the church among this strategic people.
b) The Fulbe (mostly Fulbe Maasina), who are often semi-nomadic, reside throughout the
country but are concentrated in central Mali. Several groups of believers are discipled by
workers from nine different agencies, including the Norwegian Lutherans, CRWM, Pioneers
and the Eglise Protestante. Some solid foundations are laid for a more significant spiritual
breakthrough among these peoples.
c) The Northern peoples are more strongly Muslim, yet hard pioneering work has resulted in
some congregations and believers among the Tamacheq/Tuareg and Songhai.
i Work among the desert-dwelling, semi-nomadic Tamacheq is often disrupted by frequent
insurrections, but upheaval, desertification and urbanization create opportunities for the
gospel. The Idaksahak, a distinct Muslim people living among the Tamacheq, appear
responsive. There are now congregations of Tamacheq believers and a NT.
ii The Songhai, once rulers of an empire, practice folk Islam with strong elements of sorcery.
There is Baptist work among them, and the JESUS film and portions of Scripture –
especially in audio format – are proving effective.
d) The Dogon, including 15 sub-groups, are known for their traditional religion with rich
mythology, songs and masks. But many looking for alternatives now turn to Islam. The
Dogon are more evangelized than most groups in Mali through the CMA, and they have a
relative wealth of Christian resources (NT, the JESUS film, audio resources, holistic ministry
projects); this unprecedented opportunity for the gospel must not be missed.
e) The Soninke group, including the four Bozo fishermen peoples, has very few Christians but
are engaged by teams from many different missions. The Soninke presence across much of
West Africa makes them strategic. A spiritual breakthrough amid all the ministry in Mali
could easily spill into several other countries.
9 Christian specialist and support ministries for prayer:
a) Bible translation. Translation work is in progress for 18 languages. Nine languages have
definite translation needs; another four have probable needs. Only eight Malian languages
have a NT and only one has the entire Bible. Bible translation is a key ministry that must
involve all confessions. Pray for effective partnership among SIL, the Malian Bible Society
and all the churches and missions working with each people group in Mali.
b) Literacy projects to raise Mali’s low literacy rates are essential if Bible translations are to be
useful. UBS (Alpha Project), World Vision and a host of others have projects that will help
spread the Word and uplift the people.
c) Oral learning projects are much more in keeping with the strong oral traditions of Mali.
One-story (IMB) and Listening to the World (UBS) are two initiatives that train believers to
share stories from Scripture in a style that connects with Malians.
d) Media ministry is crucial in a culture where functional literacy could be as low as 15%.
i Audio resources. With such low literacy rates, cassettes, digital audio Scriptures and stories
are greatly appreciated and highly effective. GRN has made recordings in 43 dialects and
languages. FCBH, The God’s Story Project, and The Story of Jesus are all Christian audio
resources available in several languages.
ii Christian programmes on Radio Mali have a wide audience. The 42 FM stations run under
the auspices of the ACCM/Christian Association of Communication in Mali (but run
by several different missions and churches) cover Bamako and six other states. Most of
these stations broadcast many hours a day and in several languages: French, Bamanankan
(Bambara), Pulaar (Fulani), Songhai, Tamacheq and others. IBRA, FEBA and TWR also
broadcast in shortwave into Mali.
iii TV is another crucial medium with high-perceived value but only one national station.
Pray for the biblical TV programmes produced by ACCM (70 minutes per week) to have
great impact; pray also for provision of funds for production and broadcast expenses.
iv The JESUS film is a major instrument for opening whole areas and peoples for church
planting. It is available in 17 languages. Pray for the effective use of this precious resource
and for many to respond as they see and hear the gospel in their heart language.
e) Student ministry. GBEEM(IFES) began in Mali in 1980 and has 330 students in over 20
groups. YWAM also works among young people and students from six different locations.
f) Bible training and correspondence courses are beginning to be used, and TEE classes are
helping to train Christian leaders. New seminaries and training centres are popping up,
including Bethel Bible Institute, Global Mission Institute and, vitally, FATMES (Faculté de
Théologie et de Missiologie Evangélique au Sahel).
g) Christian education is a potent tool to bless a country in need of educational development
and to make clear the gospel to students and families alike. There are dozens of schools run
by Christians.
