WASHINGTON, June 28, 2024 – The World Bank has greenlit a significant credit of $100 million from the International Development Association (IDA)*. This vital funding is earmarked to bolster Mali’s efforts in expanding access to and utilization of essential, high-quality reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, adolescent health, and nutrition services. Furthermore, it aims to strengthen the nation’s capacity for health emergency preparedness in designated areas.

Operating under a Results-Based Financing (RBF) framework, the initiative, officially titled Promoting Inclusive Health System Resilience for All in Mali, known locally as Keneya Yiriwali (Bambara for ‘Health for All’), seeks to elevate the overall quality of critical health services. A particular emphasis is placed on reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, adolescent health, and nutrition (RMNCAH+N) by broadening coverage zones and enhancing service delivery across all tiers of the health pyramid. The project will allocate resources for necessary inputs and performance-based payments within targeted regions and schools, contingent on available funding. This strategy aims to improve service delivery performance and availability. Its expanded scope encompasses climate-vulnerable areas and communities, regional hospitals, and school infirmaries, with a distinct focus on adolescent health, climate-related emergencies, and robust pandemic preparedness and response. Ultimately, ‘Keneya Yiriwali’ endeavors to optimize the efficiency of health sector expenditures through improved budgetary resource management, the consolidation of health financing, and the implementation of information systems that link budgets directly to performance outcomes.

“The expansion of Results-Based Financing, which now incorporates both energy-related climate risks and emergency risk management, is a key driver for improving the provision of quality healthcare services to the population through the Keneya Yiriwali project. It builds upon the significant achievements of the Project to Accelerate Progress Towards Universal Health Coverage (PACSU), which dramatically enhanced healthcare utilization, quality scores, medicine availability, and patient satisfaction across nine administrative regions,” highlighted Clara de Sousa, the World Bank’s Operations Director for Mali. “RBF has proven to be a powerful, transformative instrument, empowering health facilities and fostering local recruitment, infrastructure development, and laboratory equipping throughout Mali.”

The comprehensive IDA operation totals $125 million. This comprises the $100 million IDA credit and an additional $25 million grant from the Global Financing Facility (GFF). Notably, $15 million of the GFF grant originates from the Government of the Netherlands through a co-financing arrangement. This strategic partnership was instrumental in the successful implementation of the RBF approach via the PACSU project in Mali from 2020 to 2024.

“Building on prior support, the GFF grant, coupled with co-financing from the Government of the Netherlands, will ensure strong alignment in Mali to enhance health services for women, children, and adolescents,” remarked Luc Laviolette, Head of the GFF Secretariat. “Investing in a more resilient and inclusive health system is crucial for meeting the needs of the most hard-to-reach and climate-vulnerable communities.”

Keneya Yiriwali is set to primarily benefit women, adolescents, and children, impacting a total population of 15.4 million residents. This includes 3 million children under five years old and 3.4 million women aged 15 to 49. Its geographical reach will extend from the regions initially covered by PACSU – specifically Gao, Mopti, Douentza, Bandiagara, San, Ségou, Koulikoro, Dioila, and Nara – to new areas. These new additions include Timbuktu, Bougouni, Koutiala, and Sikasso, which report the highest poverty rates, alongside Commune VI within the Bamako district.

*The International Development Association (IDA) serves as the World Bank’s dedicated arm for assisting the world’s poorest nations. Established in 1960, IDA provides grants and low-to-zero interest loans to fund projects and programs designed to stimulate economic growth, alleviate poverty, and improve the lives of the most disadvantaged. IDA stands as a leading financier for 76 of the globe’s poorest countries, with 39 located in Africa. IDA’s resources bring about positive change for 1.6 billion people. Since its inception, IDA has supported development activities in 113 countries. Over the past three years, its annual commitments have averaged $21 billion, with approximately 61% allocated to Africa.