(African Economic Research Consortium, 2022) Fowowe, Babajide
Mali is a prominent fragile and post-conflict country (FPCC) in SSA. Since
independence in 1960, the country has experienced four armed rebellions,
accounting for a total of 20 years. Agriculture is the mainstay of the Malian economy,
and accounts for about 40% of GDP, and 75% of total employment. However, women
are severely disadvantaged in Mali. Women have lower participation in education
and government, and receive lower income compared to men. Also, women have
lower outcomes in agricultural productivity and financial inclusion. Financial
inclusion has been rising, with mobile money accounting for the substantial
proportion of the increases.
Mali’s economic performance has been low, with slow rates of economic growth and
high poverty levels. Improvements in agricultural productivity will be important for
attaining sustainable development. Financial inclusion and gender equality have the
potential to be critical drivers of such improvements in agricultural productivity. It is
important to conduct empirical investigations to see if agricultural productivity can
be enhanced through financial inclusion and agricultural productivity.