VNG International has been active in Mali since 2002, and for more than 20 years we have been committed to strengthening local governance throughout the country at the level of communes, intercommunalities, and local governance associations. Our initial work consisted of supporting the national process to create the Association of Malian Municipalities (AMM) and facilitating exchanges with other associations. This work was subsequently extended to professionalize the AMM (LGCP programme 2012-2015) and extended to support specific municipalities (IDEAL 2017-2021, pilot municipalities: Baya, Tagandougou, Muegetan, Niena, Kouoro); This support focused on improving the social contract between local authorities and their citizens by enhancing citizen participation and engagement, as well as accountability in integrated water resources management (IWRM). In its current programme in Mali, Local Governance for Sustainable Development (SDLG) (2022-2026), VNG International provides institutional and technical support to four intercommunalities (The Sankarani Basin (ICBS), Damanko, Yiriwakene, Numpagnon), including 49 communes, in their regional development.
Our staff:

Mahamadou Thera,
Team leader
Thera has proven experience in the management of emergency and development programmes and projects. Over the past ten years, he has worked in several international non-governmental organisations as project coordinator, programme unit director, head of mission, etc., promoting, protecting and defending the rights and interests of vulnerable people, supporting local communities to gain access to essential services (health, education, washing, SECAL, etc.) and finding practical, innovative and sustainable solutions to poverty.

Boubacar Dolo,
Monitoring, evaluation and capitalisation expert
Boubacar Dolo holds a master’s degree in growth and development economics. He has over 8 years’ experience in participatory evaluation, project management, implementation, monitoring-evaluation, accountability, and programme learning, in a wide variety of fields and in normal, emergency and post-conflict situations. Dolo is motivated to continue to share his experience for the benefit of VNG International; an organization to which he is wholeheartedly dedicated and shares its vision of strengthening local governance.

Brahima Traoré,
Senior Expert in Local Governance
Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering and MSc in Environmental Sciences (Climate Change), Brahima is the Senior Expert in Local Governance for VNGI’s SDLG Programme in Mali. He has over 20 years’ experience in developing and implementing climate change mitigation and adaptation programmes and integrated water resources management programmes at local level. His commitment to strengthening the social contract between citizens and local governments drives him at VNG International, as this is what improves the legitimacy of local authorities March 2023.

Albertine Diarra,
Administrative and Financial Officer
Graduated from the Ecole Supérieure de Gestion d’Informatique et de Comptabilité of Bamako in Mali, she has 10 years of experience as Administrative and Financial Manager. Her interest to work in development projects in Mali, pushed her to join the SDLG Mali team of VNG International in March 2023.

Gaoussou Sene
Senior Expert in Intercommunal Support
Trained as a psychopedagogue with over twenty-six (26) years’ experience in facilitating complex processes in decentralization, governance, security, peace, social cohesion and sustainable development in Mali, Niger, Benin, Senegal and Burkina-Faso. Specifically with participatory processes in communal budgeting, annual investment plans, development plans and accountability.Gaoussou joined the VNG International team in July 2022.

Amadou Mahamadou Diallo,
Programme Assistant
Master’s degree in Socio-Anthropology from the University of Bamako, Mali. Twenty-one (21) years’ experience in supporting local authorities in planning and implementing development actions. Specialist in Decentralization and committed to the effective implementation of Mali’s National Decentralization Policy, in particular the knowledge and exercise by actors of their roles and responsibilities. Experience in journalism (print media).

Mahamadou Diassana,
Chauffeur
Holder of a CAP diploma in electricity – mechanics. For his passion in driving vehicles, he obtained a driving licence category B, C and D suitable for all types of driving and vehicles. Mahamadou has over 7 years’ experience of driving in Mali and abroad on various assignment.
Our contact details:
Address: VNG International Mali, Hamdallaye ACI 2000, Bamako, Mali
Telephone: +223 73 20 47 67
Email Address: mahamadou.thera@vngi.org
Visiting Address: VNG International Mali, Hamdallaye ACI 2000, Bamako, Mali