On September 2, 2024, the Transitional President of Mali, His Excellency Colonel Assimi GOITA, paid an official visit to Norinco Company, a leading manufacturer of weapons. This visit marks the beginning of a series of engagements for President GOITA ahead of the 9th Forum on China-African Cooperation (FOCAC), set to commence on September 4 in Beijing.
Accompanied by Colonel Sadio CAMARA, Minister of Defense and Veterans, along with his cabinet and other government officials, President GOITA was received with great honor at Norinco. The visit included a projection and guided tour showcasing the latest technological innovations in defense, including light weapons, drones, and high-performance artillery systems.
The visit concluded with the signing of a significant agreement between the Malian Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs and Norinco. This agreement involves the acquisition of new military equipment, aimed at bolstering Mali’s defense capabilities amidst ongoing security challenges.
Following his visit to Norinco, President GOITA held meetings with representatives from two companies, Gangfeng and Wang Kang. Gangfeng’s President-General, Wang XIAOSHEN, expressed satisfaction with the discussions on Gangfeng’s investments in Mali, particularly the Goulamina project, which focuses on lithium mining and processing. The project is progressing well, with equipment calibration nearing completion and an inauguration scheduled for November 2024.
Wang Kang’s representative outlined the company’s investment plans in Mali, which include cement, ceramics, lime, and iron production. These investments, amounting to several million dollars, are expected to create over 3,000 permanent jobs. The company aims to transform Mali from an importer to an exporter of cement, a crucial material for infrastructure development.
An imminent working visit by Wang Kang’s CEO to Mali is planned, during which a memorandum of understanding will be signed, further solidifying the partnership.
President GOITA’s visit to Norinco and subsequent meetings underscore Mali’s commitment to strengthening its defense capabilities and fostering economic development through strategic partnerships with Chinese companies.
Mali already operate a plethora of Chinese weaponry. In March 2023, The Malian military government acquired a large number of VP11 4×4 Lightweight MRAP, and Lynx CS/VP11 ATV made by Norinco, a Chinese arms manufacturer to aid in the fight against insurgency.
This follows an earlier acquisition in 2021, when Mali’s military took into service dozens of new armoured vehicles, including Norinco VN2C 6×6 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) from China, at least six Norinco VN2C IFV, along with 50 Kia KM450 military trucks, Dongfeng EQ2050 multi-purpose wheeled vehicles, half a dozen BRDM-2 amphibious scout cars, at least a couple of BTR-70 8×8 amphibious armoured personnel carriers, and six Puma M36 APCs.
Also, in June 2023, Mali took delivery of a second batch of equipment from China’s Norinco Group including WZ-551 wheeled infantry fighting
vehicles and VP11 MRAPs.
In recent years, Mali and China have significantly strengthened their bilateral relations, elevating their partnership to new strategic heights. This development is marked by increased cooperation in various sectors, including defense, economic development, and infrastructure.
