United States. Central Intelligence Agency

“ Economy Mali Economy - overview: Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert and with a highly unequal distribution of income. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. Mali is heavily dependent on foreign aid and vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices for cotton, its main export, along with gold. ”

“ Agriculture - products: cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats Industries: food processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining Industrial production growth rate: NA (FY96/97) Electricity - production: 480.2 million kWh (2001) Electricity - consumption: 446.6 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh; note - recent hydropower developments may be providing electricity to Senegal and Mauritania (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) ”

“ Amadou Toumani TOURE elected president; percent of vote - Amadou Toumani TOURE 64.4%, Soumaila CISSE 35.6% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (147 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 14 July and 28 July 2002 (next to be held NA July 2007)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA ”