Executive Summary - English | French
Summary:
This report offers the first comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of Mali’s social science research system—providing a clear and data-rich picture of how knowledge is produced, shared, and applied to national development challenges. Drawing on extensive consultations and analysis, it reveals both the sector’s potential and the structural constraints that continue to limit its impact.
At a critical moment for the country, the findings highlight a striking disconnect: while nearly 90% of policymakers recognise the value of social science research, it remains only weakly integrated into decision-making. Systemic challenges are significant. Public investment in research stands at just 0.18% of GDP, far below international targets; over 50% of research funding comes from external partners; and research capacity is heavily concentrated, with over 92% of researchers based in Bamako. The system also faces structural inequities, with women representing only 12% of social science researchers, and low research output—averaging just 0.14 peer-reviewed publications per researcher.
More than a diagnostic, the report charts a practical path forward. It identifies high-impact opportunities to strengthen research-policy linkages, expand national funding, promote gender equity, and improve the visibility and accessibility of knowledge through open science and stronger collaboration.
Authors: ROCARE-Mali
- Nouhoun Sidibé
- Anna Traoré
- Bougadari Doumbia
- Aminata Coulibaly
- Boubacar Mody Guindo
Funder: This report is funded by GDN as part of a multi-country expansion of the Doing Research global initiative in Francophone Africa.
Doing Research (DR) is a global initiative launched in 2014 to systematically assess how the characteristics of a national research system impact the capacity to produce, diffuse and use high-quality social science research for social and economic development in developing countries. By providing original data and analysis through a comparative framework that captures trends across countries and over time, the initiative enables national policymakers, donors, research institutions, and academics to strategise efforts in support of stronger and internationally competitive national research systems.
For more information, please contact Francesco Obino at fobino@gdn.int.
If you cite this resource, please notify communications@gdn.int with the subject line 'GDN citation'.
