ACCELERATING CHILD WELL-BEING: Rolling Out Integrated Package of Essential Accelerating Services to Support Mali’s Development Priorities

Despite recent economic growth, Mali faces alarming setbacks in child well-being due to ongoing insecurity, rising poverty, the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and worsening climate shocks. Millions of children—especially adolescent girls—are at risk of malnutrition, school dropout, gender-based violence, and mental health issues. These overlapping vulnerabilities threaten Mali’s future development and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This policy brief outlines how Mali can reverse these trends by rolling out an integrated package of essential accelerating services targeted to the most vulnerable populations. Building on existing programmes such as the Social Safety Net Programme (Programme de Filets Sociaux, Jigisemejiri), school meals, and community-based nutrition services, the proposed package includes five key accelerators: cash transfers, parenting support, adolescent life skills, school feeding, and essential health services.

By strengthening coordination across ministries and local authorities, reinforcing national social protection and nutrition platforms, and focusing on inclusive delivery mechanisms, Mali can create an enabling environment where every child—especially those in rural and conflict-affected areas—has the chance not only to survive, but to thrive.