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The twenty imports Mali is best placed to replace.

Mali imported USD 3.5bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 240m. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 866mthe twenty, imported in 2024
30products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
114products Mali already exports well
69product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Mali already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Mali would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Mali does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Cement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially colouredHS 252329

    Comes fromSenegal 59%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthClays (excluding expanded clays of heading no. 6806): chamotte or... (exports USD 13k)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 12m
    Countries that export it well54

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 238m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Mali's export strengths in the top 4 per cent (3); Senegal supplies 59 per cent (1).

    USD 238mup 56% on 2022
  2. 2

    Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses...HS 300490

    Comes fromFrance 67%, 24 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMedicaments: containing antibiotics (other than penicillins... (exports USD 831k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 4m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 12m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 117m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Mali's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); France supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 117mdown 15% on 2022
  3. 3

    Soups and broths and preparations thereforHS 210410

    Comes fromSenegal 83%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 12k
    Countries that export it well31

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 87m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Mali's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); Senegal supplies 83 per cent (2).

    USD 87mup 6% on 2022
  4. 4

    Cigarettes: containing tobaccoHS 240220

    Comes fromSenegal 100%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 3k
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 31m, top 23 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Mali's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); Senegal supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 31mup 53% on 2022
  5. 5

    Food preparations: of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, for uses n.e.c. in heading no. 1901HS 190190

    Comes fromIreland 38%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: couscous (exports USD 23k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 11m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 111m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Mali's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2).

    USD 111mdown 24% on 2022
  6. 6

    Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments...HS 330499

    Comes fromIvory Coast 72%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 47k
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 31m, top 25 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Mali's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); Ivory Coast supplies 72 per cent (2).

    USD 31mup 350% on 2022
  7. 7

    Non-alcoholic beverages: other than non-alcoholic beer, n.e.c. in item no. 2202.10, not including fruit, nut or...HS 220299

    Comes fromSenegal 74%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthUndenatured ethyl alcohol: of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80%... (exports USD 955k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 48k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 21m
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 24m, top 35 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Mali's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); Senegal supplies 74 per cent (2).

    USD 24mup 18% on 2022
  8. 8

    Soap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and...HS 340119

    Comes fromIvory Coast 98%, 12 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSoap: in forms n.e.c. in item no. 3401.11 (exports USD 4m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 27k
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 22m, top 38 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Mali's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (2); Ivory Coast supplies 98 per cent (2).

    USD 22mfrom USD 508k in 2022
  9. 9

    Sacks and bags: of a kind used for the packing of goods, of man-made textile materials, of polyethylene or...HS 630533

    Comes fromIvory Coast 74%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthToilet and kitchen linen: of textile materials (other than cotton or... (exports USD 25k)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 16m, top 59 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Mali's export strengths in the top 1 per cent (3); Ivory Coast supplies 74 per cent (2).

    USD 16mup 475% on 2022
  10. 10

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, urea, whether or not in aqueous solutionHS 310210

    Comes fromIvory Coast 89%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the three fertilizing... (exports USD 17m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 12m, top 84 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Mali's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); Ivory Coast supplies 89 per cent (2).

    USD 12mup 247% on 2022
  11. 11

    Vehicles: dumpers, designed for off-highway use, for transport of goodsHS 870410

    Comes fromIvory Coast 47%, 8 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston... (exports USD 3m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 28m
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 34m, top 20 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Mali's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); Ivory Coast supplies 47 per cent (1).

    USD 34mup 72% on 2022
  12. 12

    Ethylene polymers: sacks and bags (including cones), for the conveyance or packing of goodsHS 392321

    Comes fromIvory Coast 93%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPoly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity... (exports USD 1m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 6k
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 21m, top 42 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Mali's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); Ivory Coast supplies 93 per cent (2).

    USD 21mup 279% on 2022
  13. 13

    Tobacco: other than homogenised or reconstituted or smokingHS 240399

    Comes fromMorocco 100%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCereals: wheat and meslin, durum wheat, seed
    Exports of this lineUSD 5k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 11m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 21m, top 48 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Mali's export strengths in the top 33 per cent (1); Morocco supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 21mfrom USD 155k in 2022
  14. 14

    Dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feedingHS 230990

    Comes fromNetherlands 70%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthOil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the... (exports USD 1m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 38k
    Countries that export it well48

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 20m, top 51 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Mali's export strengths in the top 14 per cent (2); Netherlands supplies 70 per cent (2).

    USD 20mup 50% on 2022
  15. 15

    Sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, napkins (diapers), napkin liners and similar articles, of any materialHS 961900

    Comes fromIvory Coast 63%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper articles: handkerchiefs, cleansing or facial tissues and towels
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 14m, top 71 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Mali's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2); Ivory Coast supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 14mup 81% on 2022
  16. 16

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, containing indentations, ribs, grooves...HS 721420

    Comes fromSenegal 52%, 8 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerrous waste and scrap: of cast iron (exports USD 233k)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 13m, top 81 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Mali's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3); Senegal supplies 52 per cent (1).

    USD 13mup 333% on 2022
  17. 17

    Quicklime: excluding calcium oxide and hydroxide of heading no. 2825HS 252210

    Comes fromSenegal 99%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthClays (excluding expanded clays of heading no. 6806): chamotte or... (exports USD 13k)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well40

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 10m, top 100 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Mali's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (2); Senegal supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 10mup 24% on 2022
  18. 18

    Electric accumulators: lead-acid, of a kind used for starting piston engines, including separators, whether or not...HS 850710

    Comes fromThailand 80%, 12 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectric generating sets: (excluding those with spark-ignition or... (exports USD 706k)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 75m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 18m, top 54 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Mali's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); Thailand supplies 80 per cent (2).

    USD 18mup 12% on 2022
  19. 19

    Sauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed seasoningsHS 210390

    Comes fromSenegal 42%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthJams, fruit jellies, marmalades, purees and pastes: of fruit or nuts...
    Exports of this lineUSD 5k
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 13m, top 74 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Mali's export strengths in the top 13 per cent (2); Senegal supplies 42 per cent (1).

    USD 13mup 5% on 2022
  20. 20

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: potassic, potassium chlorideHS 310420

    Comes fromGermany 93%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the three fertilizing... (exports USD 17m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 12m, top 88 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Mali's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1); Germany supplies 93 per cent (2).

    USD 12mdown 24% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Mali already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including... imports USD 27m, exports USD 3m, top source China 97%
  • Medicaments: containing antibiotics (other than penicillins, streptomycins or... imports USD 17m, exports USD 831k, top source China 67%
  • Boring or sinking machinery: parts for boring or sinking machinery of... imports USD 13m, exports USD 623k, top source Sweden 35%
  • Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the three fertilizing elements... imports USD 19m, exports USD 17m, top source Senegal 57%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 69 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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