Mali, a landlocked country in West Africa, is working towards establishing a direct route to the Atlantic Ocean through an ambitious project aimed at transforming the Senegal River into a commercial shipping corridor. This initiative, known as the Saint-Louis-Ambidédi corridor, is expected to facilitate economic growth by connecting Mali's interior regions to Senegal's coastal port city of Saint-Louis. Set for an official launch in April 2026, the project will span nearly 900 kilometers, enabling vital trade and transport links between Mali and the Atlantic.

The project is spearheaded by the Organization for the Development of the Senegal River (OMVS) and its operational unit, SOGENAV, and involves a collaborative effort among Mali, Senegal, Mauritania, and Guinea. With a budget exceeding $800 million (approximately 446 billion CFA francs), the venture will create a navigable artery enhanced with river ports, dredged channels, and modern logistics terminals. This infrastructure is envisioned to support a more effective distribution of goods and improve access for Mali's agricultural products and other exports.

Mali's economic growth has been significantly hampered by its geographical constraints, as the nation's landlocked status necessitates reliance on road transport for trade. This transformative project could play a crucial role in alleviating those limitations by opening up new trade routes and fostering regional cooperation, ultimately impacting the broader economic landscape in West Africa as it seeks to enhance connectivity and trade with international markets.