Wastewater-Waste-Programme “Clean Mali” – Mali Sanya

Sanitation and waste management services in Mali remain underdeveloped, with access in rural areas at just 20% and in urban areas at 53%. Challenges include increasing pollution of surface and groundwater, lack of sanitation infrastructure, and insufficient waste management systems. A large proportion of waste remains uncollected or is illegally dumped in open areas. Household waste is often burned in the open, releasing toxic gases that negatively affect public health. At the few existing official landfills, waste is predominantly sorted by women (98%) who sell recyclables at low prices and have limited access to formal employment.

The “Mali Sanya” (Clean Mali) programme promotes sustainable development in peri-urban centres and small towns by improving drinking water, sanitation, and waste management through a circular economy approach. It focuses on three key outputs:

• Strengthening institutional conditions for sanitation and circular economy development

• Increasing knowledge of GHG-reducing sanitation and circular economy practices within municipal associations

• Expanding formal employment in environmentally sound sanitation and waste management

Dorsch Impact supported SMEs and start-ups in developing and implementing at least five innovative circular economy business models, with a focus on creating job opportunities for youth and women in Mali.