National strategy for the development of the digital economy in Mali | Draft

The Mali Numérique 2020 strategy, officially titled Stratégie Nationale de Développement de l’Économie Numérique, is designed to position Mali as a regional hub for digital development by 2020. It aims to leverage digital technology to promote sustainable human development, increase economic productivity, and enhance government efficiency. Below are the key aspects of the strategy:

Key Objectives

1. Human Development: Use digital tools to improve access to information, knowledge, and education for social inclusion and the well-being of citizens.
2. Economic Growth: Foster digital innovation to enhance productivity and competitiveness across all sectors, including private enterprises and public administration.
3. Employment Creation: Create both direct and indirect jobs within the digital economy, with a goal of establishing 50,000 new jobs by 2020.
4. Public Service Efficiency: Transform public administration through e-governance initiatives that simplify processes, reduce corruption, and make services more accessible.

Strategic Priorities

The strategy is built around six key pillars:

1. Digital Infrastructure: Expanding broadband infrastructure, including deploying 4,500 km of fiber optic cables to connect regional capitals and neighboring countries. This includes mobile internet and ensuring rural and underserved areas have access to high-speed internet.
2. Digital Content Development: Focus on creating national digital content, such as e-learning platforms, digitized cultural heritage, and local entertainment (e.g., video games), to make the digital space more relevant to Malian citizens.
3. E-Governance and Digital Services: Develop and promote online public services to increase government transparency and efficiency. Key examples include online tax declaration, civil registry services, and digital identity management.
4. Support for Local Digital Industry: Strengthen Mali’s digital industry by encouraging the development of local tech companies, supporting innovation hubs, and promoting entrepreneurship, especially for startups in sectors like software development and digital services.
5. Human Capital Development: Address the skills gap in the digital sector by providing education and training programs. This includes setting up institutions dedicated to training individuals in ICT and promoting digital literacy.
6. Digital Trust and Security: Establish a secure digital environment by implementing regulations on cybersecurity, data protection, and electronic transactions. The strategy includes laws on cybercrime, cryptography, and e-commerce to build trust in online platforms.

Implementation Framework

• Government Leadership: The strategy is overseen by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Information, with the formation of a National Committee for Digital Economy to coordinate its implementation.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society is emphasized, especially in areas like infrastructure deployment and service innovation.
• Regular Evaluation: A structured approach to monitoring progress is in place, with annual reviews to ensure the strategy stays on track.

Vision for 2020

By 2020, the strategy envisions:

• Digital infrastructure reaching 50% mobile internet penetration.
• The contribution of the digital economy to 12% of Mali’s GDP.
• 50 public services available online.
• The establishment of 200 community access centers to ensure internet availability across regions.

This strategic plan outlines a comprehensive roadmap for Mali to integrate into the global digital economy, aiming for sustainable growth and an inclusive digital society​