Sahel Power Play: Mali, Burkina Faso & Niger Build a New Booming Gold Economy

Watch this video as Firstpost examines Mali’s dramatic gold surge and the growing push by the Alliance of Sahel States to take greater control of the region’s mineral wealth. Mali produced 23.5 tonnes of industrial gold in the first half of 2026, up around 30 percent from the same period last year, putting the country on track to meet or exceed its annual target. But this is about much more than mining. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are building a new economic architecture around gold, with combined production estimated at around 230 tonnes a year. At current prices, that represents tens of billions of dollars in potential wealth. With new refineries, greater state participation and tighter control over mining deals, the AES wants more of that value captured at home. But persistent JNIM attacks and insecurity remain a major obstacle. Alyson Le Grange tells you more on Firstpost Africa.…Read More