Mali Postal Codes are located here. Mali zip codes can be accessed by clicking each capital district.

Capital district in Mali

Region in Mali

Mali on the Map

Mali zip codes can be seen on the map. All postcodes of Mali can be viewed under each capital district.

About Mali

Geography and Climate

Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa, bordered by Algeria to the north, Niger to the east, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire to the south, Guinea to the southwest, and Senegal and Mauritania to the west. It is Africa’s eighth-largest country, encompassing part of the Sahara Desert in the north and the Sahel and savanna zones in the south. The Niger River, one of Africa’s great waterways, flows in a wide arc through central Mali and serves as the country’s lifeline, supporting agriculture, fishing, and transportation. The terrain includes arid plains, dunes, and rocky plateaus in the north, transitioning to more fertile lands in the south. Mali’s climate is tropical and arid, with three main seasons: a hot, dry season from February to June, a rainy season from June to October, and a cooler dry season from November to February. Northern Mali experiences extreme desert conditions, while southern regions such as Sikasso and Bamako receive more rainfall suitable for crops and vegetation.

Brief History and Government

Officially called the Republic of Mali, the country has a long and distinguished history as the site of several powerful empires, including the Ghana, Mali, and Songhai empires, which dominated West African trade between the 8th and 16th centuries. The medieval Mali Empire, under rulers such as Mansa Musa, became famous for its wealth, scholarship, and the city of Timbuktu, a major center of Islamic learning. Modern Mali became a French colony in the late 19th century and achieved independence on September 22, 1960. Its first president, Modibo Keïta, established a socialist state, which later transitioned to military and civilian governments. Mali is a semi-presidential republic, though recent years have seen political instability and transitions following military coups (2020 and 2021). The capital and largest city is Bamako, located along the Niger River, serving as the administrative, cultural, and economic heart of the nation.

Population, Language, and Culture

Mali’s population is approximately 23 million (2024 estimate). The country is ethnically diverse, with major groups including the Bambara (Bamana), Fulani (Peul), Songhai, Tuareg, Dogon, and Sarakolé (Soninké). The official language is French, used in administration and education, while Bambara serves as the most widely spoken national language and lingua franca. Other local languages are also recognized. Mali’s culture is rich in music, storytelling, and craftsmanship—particularly in textiles, wood carving, and jewelry. The nation is often called the birthplace of the blues, with traditional instruments like the kora, ngoni, and balafon influencing global music. Festivals such as the Festival sur le Niger in Ségou and Desert Festival in Timbuktu celebrate Mali’s deep artistic and spiritual heritage. Islam is the dominant religion, practiced by about 90% of the population.

Economy and Currency

Mali’s economy is primarily agricultural and resource-based, with most people engaged in subsistence farming, livestock herding, and fishing. Major cash crops include cotton and millet, while gold mining has become the largest source of export revenue, making Mali one of Africa’s leading gold producers. Other minerals such as phosphate and limestone contribute to the industrial sector. The services sector, including trade and transportation, is growing slowly but is still constrained by infrastructure challenges and regional insecurity. The country’s economy is also supported by remittances from Malians abroad. The official currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), shared with seven other countries in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) and guaranteed by the French Treasury, maintaining a fixed exchange rate with the euro.

The Postal Code System

The official national postal authority is La Poste du Mali, operating under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Communication. Mali does not have a national postal code (ZIP code) system. Instead, mail delivery is organized primarily through post office boxes (Boîte Postale, “BP”) and regional sorting centers. Addresses typically include the recipient’s name, P.O. Box number, and city or town. For example:

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Recipient Name

Boîte Postale 1234

Bamako

MALI

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In major cities such as Bamako, Sikasso, and Mopti, each post office maintains its own BP numbering, which functions as the key identifier for mail routing. Rural areas and smaller towns often depend on centralized post offices in regional capitals. La Poste du Mali provides domestic and international postal services, parcel delivery, express mail (EMS), and financial products. Although no standardized postal code system exists yet, discussions about implementing one have occurred in line with Universal Postal Union (UPU) recommendations to modernize Mali’s postal network. Until then, accurate inclusion of city names and BP numbers remains essential for successful delivery.