Russia and Mali signed agreements to strengthen economic ties, including cooperation on nuclear energy and resource development. President Putin and Mali’s leader, Colonel Goita, also discussed building a nuclear plant and gold refinery. Despite Wagner’s exit, Russian military support continues through the African Corps.

Russia formalized a series of agreements on Monday aimed at deepening its trade and economic relationship with Mali, as President Vladimir Putin hosted Colonel Assimi Goita, the transitional president of the West African nation, in a high-profile meeting at the Kremlin. The engagement, which lasted two hours, was reported by Russian state media as a significant step in solidifying bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

During the talks, Putin and Goita discussed a broad range of areas where their nations could work more closely together. One of the most notable outcomes of the meeting was the signing of an agreement centered on nuclear energy cooperation. According to the Kremlin, this deal is part of a broader vision to help Mali harness nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including energy generation. Putin emphasized that while trade between Russia and Mali is still relatively small in scale, the relationship between the two countries is progressing positively.

"There is a good upward trend in our relations," Putin remarked, according to an official Kremlin readout. "We believe there are a number of promising areas for future cooperation. These include geological exploration, the development of natural resources, energy, logistics, and various humanitarian efforts."

The nuclear energy agreement builds on earlier discussions between the two nations about what has been described as a strategic project to construct a low-power nuclear power plant using Russian technology. This initiative is expected to provide a reliable energy source for Mali, which has struggled with electricity shortages and limited access to power in many regions. Such a project, if realized, could help lay the foundation for greater industrial development and improved living standards across the country.

In addition to the nuclear project, Mali recently commenced construction on a new gold refinery with support from Russian partners. This project aligns with President Goita’s stated goal of asserting greater national control over Mali’s vast natural resources. Despite being one of Africa's top gold producers, Mali currently lacks a globally certified refinery capable of processing gold to international standards. The new facility is expected to address this gap, allowing Mali to refine its gold domestically, thereby increasing state revenues, creating jobs, and reducing dependency on foreign entities for the processing of its raw materials.

Beyond economic and infrastructure developments, the relationship between Russia and Mali also includes military cooperation. Russian mercenary groups have played a prominent role in supporting Goita’s government, especially in the aftermath of the withdrawal of French and United Nations forces. These international troops had been stationed in Mali for a decade, assisting in the fight against Islamist militant groups that have destabilized large parts of the country.

Following the departure of these Western forces, Russian fighters — particularly those linked to the Wagner Group — began deploying in support of the Malian army. While the Wagner Group recently announced its intention to withdraw from Mali, another Russian paramilitary entity known as the African Corps continues to operate in the country, maintaining Moscow’s strategic presence and influence in the region.

This latest round of agreements and developments underscores Russia's growing engagement in Africa, particularly with countries like Mali that have pivoted away from traditional Western alliances. For Mali, the partnership offers critical support in terms of energy development, economic sovereignty, and military reinforcement, while for Russia, it provides an opportunity to expand its geopolitical influence on the African continent.