(Ecofin Agency) - As of December 31, 2022, Mali had 25.8 million telephone service subscribers, according to official statistics. This telecom market is shared by three operators: the historic Sotelma (Moov Africa Malitel), Orange, and Telecel.

Malian telecom operators invested CFA116.7 billion ($193.7 million) in 2022, marking a 24% increase from the CFA94.1 billion invested in 2021, as per data from the Malian Authority for the Regulation of Telecommunications, ICT, and Posts (AMRTP). Of this total, CFA106.4 billion, or 91%, was dedicated to network infrastructure. This included CFA61.6 billion for mobile networks, CFA25.6 billion for fixed networks, and CFA19.3 billion for the Internet. Operator Orange led with CFA69.9 billion in investments, followed by Sotelma/Moov Africa Malitel with CFA46.4 billion, and Telecel with CFA309 million.

This surge in investment comes amid accelerated digital transformation and growing demand for connectivity. Telecom operators are expanding and modernizing their networks to reach more people and adequately meet the increasing demand. Between 2018 and 2022, Orange, Sotelma, and Telecel collectively invested CFA508.3 billion in their operations.

These investments have notably improved access to telecom services in Mali. By the end of 2022, the country had 25.8 million mobile phone subscribers, 306,900 fixed-line subscribers, and 13.2 million Internet users. The penetration rate stands at 119% for telephony (mobile and fixed) and 60% for the Internet. Additionally, the sector's total revenue reached CFA586 billion at the end of 2022, a 5% year-over-year increase.