Business Corruption

The figures from the World Bank & IFC Enterprise Surveys 2010 strongly indicate that obtaining public utility services, such as telephone and water connections, frequently involves demands for facilitation payments. Moreover, companies should be aware that obtaining licences and permits may require facilitation payments.

According to the business executives surveyed in the World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report 2010-2011, inadequate supply of infrastructure is among the most problematic factors for doing business in Mali.

Political Corruption

In June 2011, Mali's former Health Minister Oumar Toure was charged with 'crime of abuse of public office' or embezzlement, according to a AFP article. USD millions which had been donated by Global Fund in order to combat HIV/AIDS in Mail were allegedly embezzled. In a 2010 news article from Reuters, seven officials from the Health Ministry, including the director of finance, were arrested for embezzlement relating to the same case.

Frequency

World Economic Forum: The Global Competitiveness Report 2010-2011:
- Business executives give government administrative requirements (permits, regulations, reporting) in Mali a score of 3.4 on a 7-point scale (1 being 'burdensome' and 7 'not burdensome').

The World Bank & IFC: Doing Business 2011:
- Dealing with construction permits requires a company to go through 15 administrative procedures, taking as long as 186 days at a cost of 505% of income per capita.

The World Bank & IFC: Enterprise Surveys 2010:
- 42% of companies expect to give gifts to obtain operating licences.

- Senior management spends an average of 2% of its time on dealing with government regulation.

- 40% of companies expect to give gifts in order to obtain a construction permit

- 39%, 25% and 40% of companies expect  give gifts to obtain electrical, phone and water connections respectively.

Afrobarometer: Summary of Results Mali 2008:
- 1% of the respondents in this household survey report to have often paid a bribe for water and sanitation services in 2007.