"Vision 2035" Mali's program

Two weeks ago, when I was doing my first researches for this blog, I came to notice an ambitious, but very interesting program, called "Vision 2035".

(Mali's minister for energy resources (center), and the PDGs of the two societies leading the Vision 2035 project)(Image : le36Live-Youtube)

This program takes place in Mali, where 22% of its population still doesn't have an access to safe water, which is approximately 5 millions of citizens. In this country, the water cost is 0,25 pounds/m3, which is a lot for many families who chose to rely on unsafe water resources rather than paying for a safe one. 

This situation, of course, is a concern for the government as they are supposed to meet the SDGs objectives by 2030. The SDGs, the Sustainable Development Goals, are 17 goals set by the United Nations, and by thus, the UN "recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests." (SDG website). 

(The SDG objectives)(unwomen.se)

The SDG number 6, to "ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all", is my main interest. It aims to, by 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. 15 years before the threshold, it seems that Mali still has a long way to run.

But things such as the cooperation announced just two weeks ago seem pretty positive : the program is co-run by two public companies, SOMAGEP (Société Malienne De Gestion De l'Eau Potable, transl. Mali's Society for Safe Water Management), and the SOMAPEP (Société Malienne de de Patrimoine de l'Eau Potable, transl. Malian Society for Safe Water Resources), two local societies that basically have control over the whole country resources. The State also has its word to say, as it owns these two companies by being their only investor. The companies also get financial support from the consumers, and some private companies not managing the resources. All of these actors gathered together last October to get to a deal, which was agreed under the name of "Vision 2035". 

(The Mali minister for energy resources agreeing on the deal on the behalf of the government, at a press conference following the meeting)(Image : le36Live-Youtube)

This deal is thus great news, especially in a country such as Mali, where some of the country is still under tensions. The cooperation of the biggest companies, regulated by the State and including the consumers, which keeps away some potential economic scams from foreign companies, is something very positive because it aims to a better distribution of the resources, at a cheaper price which will attract modest families that couldn't afford clean water before, and then meet the 6th SDG objective, if not by 2030, by 2035. It also seems to allow the two companies to make profit.

The deal was agreed two weeks ago, and thus, the actions are still on discussion. I will try to keep you updated on it !

What do you think ? Do you think such a cooperation, for now without the private sector, is something that could work in the long term ? Let me know in the comments !