Mali Regions and Capitals List

Mali, officially known as the Republic of Mali, is a landlocked country located in West Africa. It is the eighth-largest country in Africa and is bordered by seven countries: 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. Mali is divided into ten regions, which are further subdivided into cercles (districts) and communes. Here is a list of the ten regions of Mali:

Mali is a large landlocked country in West Africa bordered by Algeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal, and Mauritania. The country is divided into 10 regions and the capital district of Bamako for administrative governance. Bamako is the national capital and also the largest city in Mali.

The country includes Sahara desert landscapes, Sahel grasslands, river valleys, savannahs, and historic trading centers spread across West Africa. Different regions are known for agriculture, gold mining, livestock, ancient cultural heritage, and trans-Saharan trade history.

Key Facts

• National capital: Bamako
• Total population: 24,500,000 (Official estimate 2025)
• Total area: 1,240,192 km² (478,841 sq miles)
• Currency: West African CFA Franc (XOF)
• Bordering countries: Algeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal, Mauritania
• Total Regions and Capital District: 11
• Total Cercles and Districts: 60+

List of Regions and Capitals of Mali

Total administrative divisions shown: 11 | Combined population: 24,500,000 | Combined area: 1,240,192 km²

Largest Regions by Area

• Taoudénit Region - 244,110 sq mi (632,242 km²)
• Tombouctou Region - 191,742 sq mi (496,611 km²)
• Gao Region - 65,858 sq mi (170,572 km²)
• Kidal Region - 58,467 sq mi (151,430 km²)
• Kayes Region - 46,626 sq mi (120,760 km²)
• Koulikoro Region - 37,007 sq mi (95,848 km²)
• Ménaka Region - 31,290 sq mi (81,040 km²)
• Mopti Region - 30,509 sq mi (79,017 km²)

Most Populous Regions

• Sikasso Region - Population: 3,800,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
• Bamako District - Population: 3,300,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
• Koulikoro Region - Population: 3,100,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
• Ségou Region - Population: 3,100,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
• Kayes Region - Population: 2,900,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
• Mopti Region - Population: 2,700,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
• Tombouctou Region - Population: 1,440,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
• Gao Region - Population: 820,000 (Official Estimate 2025)

Smallest Regions by Area

• Bamako District - 97 sq mi (252 km²)
• Ségou Region - 25,076 sq mi (64,947 km²)
• Sikasso Region - 27,718 sq mi (71,790 km²)
• Mopti Region - 30,509 sq mi (79,017 km²)
• Ménaka Region - 31,290 sq mi (81,040 km²)
• Koulikoro Region - 37,007 sq mi (95,848 km²)

Regions by Regional Grouping

• Capital Region: Bamako District
• Central Mali: Mopti Region
• Eastern Sahara: Ménaka Region
• Far Northern Sahara: Kidal Region
• Northeastern Mali: Gao Region
• Northern Mali: Tombouctou Region
• Northern Sahara: Taoudénit Region
• South Central Mali: Ségou Region
• Southern Mali: Sikasso Region
• Southwestern Mali: Koulikoro Region
• Western Mali: Kayes Region

Landlocked Regions

• Bamako District
• Gao Region
• Kayes Region
• Kidal Region
• Koulikoro Region
• Ménaka Region
• Mopti Region
• Ségou Region
• Sikasso Region
• Taoudénit Region
• Tombouctou Region

Regions with Coastline

• None - Mali is a landlocked country.

Regions Sharing Borders with Other Countries

• Algeria: Gao, Kidal, Taoudénit, Tombouctou
• Niger: Gao, Ménaka
• Burkina Faso: Mopti, Ségou, Sikasso
• Côte d'Ivoire: Sikasso
• Guinea: Kayes, Koulikoro, Sikasso
• Senegal: Kayes
• Mauritania: Kayes, Taoudénit, Tombouctou

Sources

• National Institute of Statistics Mali
• World Bank - Mali Data
• CIA World Factbook - Mali
• Encyclopaedia Britannica - Mali
• Government of Mali