Tea time in Timbouktou! Kaffee und Kuchen in Timbouktou!

Most of us have heard about Mali and the Sahel conflict in some form or way. Most investors, companies dealing with investments in Africa have Mali and the entire Sahel region on their horizon. Way too often we hear this area of the world connected with buzz words such as war, military coups, or unrest. Now Mali for instance is still a country with an expected growth rate of 4% and 20million people that have needs. One very important fact to mention if not the most important fact is that 75% of Malians are under the age of 35 years.

CHALLENGE

Bamako is the capital and Mali has many challenges. One of the challenges is the climate change; especially for the ethnic minority of the Toureg (5% of Mali's population) who lived mostly in the north of the country. Mali suffered from droughts from 2016 to 2018 that affected their growing seasons. This impacted food security and nutrition. Timbuktu, Gao, and Mopti regions have the most people in need of assistance, but some areas are inaccessible to aid groups. Now some of the readers might not be too familiar with this beautiful country and I might have to do a short summary in order to highlight the socio-economic dynamics. 

HISTORY IN SHORT

Mali has a very culturally rich history having been an empire: the largest empire in West Africa and it profoundly influenced the culture of West Africa through the spread of its language, laws and customs. Up until 1892 where it fell under French colonial rule. Ever since this region rich in mineral resources has become an explosive melting pot, going through one party states to military coups. This has left Mali in a socio-economic coma. Today Mali has become the favourite territory for peace talks, that have not brought significant changes. Those who know Mali and the Malians will understand quickly that this is not a nation of aggressive or hot-tempered fighters. You will be taken aback by the calm approach to life and destiny. Religion plays a major role; thus Malians have left their destiny in god's hands for a very long time. This passive attitude has made it easy for nations with heavy interests in the exploitation in minerals to take advantage.

THE BRIDGE

I am in Mali again, one Saturday afternoon sitting for tea with camel liver on beautiful carpets and sipping on fresh tea. People around me keep talking to me in Tamashek. It's the Toureg's language. I screen the room, and this could be my family by the looks of it. We all look alike. In a so-called war zone, I am using my face as my camouflage. This is how I found myself at a wedding, in a school, in most ministries, and access all areas in many very typical situations of Malian life. I have not been received as a foreigner but rather with open arms. I don't stand out like a lighting tower; I blend in, and it opens many doors. Working in due diligence, information is the key. Having access to information without too many intermediates or none is the most valuable in my business. In the case of Mali with a very painful history with the French and other nations, Mali needs to focus on its youth, and they need an ally. A nation that is coming as a friend and who wants to invest in building Mali with Malians now will be more then welcome.

A win win can be achieved for both sides. With a young population the needs are as modern as anywhere else in the world covering sectors such as Telecoms, energy, services and education. Economic opportunities are rife and with a diplomatic solution based on using your diaspora, Germany or the UK have great chances of becoming Mali's new friend.

I have found a family in Mali, and I have become a Tourek in disguise. The doors are wide open and the bridge I have built with the government of Mali, the most influential entrepreneurs of Mali and some German investors with a female leadership approach is ready for more exchanges, FDIs and new bonds.

It's a bridge that reaches from Timbuktu, to Bamako, to the City of London, to Berlin, straight into the CDU and Germany's Mittelstand. Mali has a lot to offer, not only from the economic point of vue. An investment into Mali goes far more beyond the usual return of investment. Find out and cross my bridge!