Institutions and changes
Mali's exit from ECOWAS: what changed
Short answer
- Exit effective
- 29 January 2025 1
- Visa-free movement for Malians in ECOWAS
- Kept until further notice 1
- ECOWAS-logo passports and IDs
- To be accepted until further notice 1
- Trade
- Goods and services to be treated under the ETLS 1
- AES passport
- In circulation from 29 January 2025 2
- AES identity card
- Launched in Burkina Faso on 1 December 2025 4
What ECOWAS decided on 29 January 2025
The ECOWAS Commission press statement of 29 January 2025 said the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger had become effective that day 1. It set out interim measures to avoid confusion and disruption for people and businesses 1.
- Authorities in and outside ECOWAS should keep recognising national passports and identity cards with the ECOWAS logo held by citizens of the three states, until further notice 1.
- Citizens of the three states keep visa-free movement, residence and establishment rights under ECOWAS protocols, until further notice 1.
- Goods and services from the three states continue to be treated under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme and investment policy 1.
- ECOWAS officials from the three states on Community assignments should receive full support 1.
How long the interim measures last
The statement said these arrangements remain until the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government decides the terms of future engagement with the three states 1. It said the Commission set up a structure to hold talks with each state 1. The statement gave no end date 1. This site did not find a later ECOWAS decision ending the interim measures as of 24 October 2026.
What changed on the AES side
A communiqué dated 23 January 2025, signed by General Assimi Goïta as President of the AES Confederation, put AES passports into circulation from 29 January 2025 2. It said old passports stay valid until expiry and that all useful steps would be taken for free movement of people and goods 2.
In October 2025 Mali launched the biometric E-AES passport, as reported by KOACI on 28 October 2025 5. Sidwaya reported on 4 January 2026 that an AES biometric identity card was launched in Burkina Faso on 1 December 2025 and that mass production was planned from January 2026 4.
Status of each change
| Change | Status | Source date |
|---|---|---|
| Withdrawal from ECOWAS 1 | Live 1 | 29 January 2025 1 |
| ECOWAS interim travel and trade measures 1 | Live until further notice 1 | 29 January 2025 1 |
| AES passport 2 | Live 2 | January 2025 2 |
| E-AES biometric passport in Mali 5 | Live, launched 27 October 2025 5 | 28 October 2025 5 |
| AES identity card 4 | Launched in Burkina Faso, mass production planned 4 | 4 January 2026 4 |
| Visa Liptako for the AES 3 | Plan reported 3 | 21 February 2025 3 |
What this means at the border
The ECOWAS statement is a request to authorities. It does not describe border procedures at named posts 1. Malians holding passports with the ECOWAS logo can rely on the interim ECOWAS measures, according to the statement 1.
This site did not find an official Malian text setting new entry rules for nationals of ECOWAS states after the exit. Readers can check the Malian visa portal for their nationality 6.
Common questions
When did Mali leave ECOWAS?
The withdrawal took effect on 29 January 2025 1.
Do Malians still have visa-free travel in ECOWAS?
ECOWAS asked members to keep visa-free movement for Malians until further notice 1.
Can I still use my ECOWAS-logo Malian passport?
Yes. The AES communiqué said old passports stay valid until expiry 2, and ECOWAS asked authorities to accept them 1.
Is there an AES visa?
A Visa Liptako was described as planned in February 2025 3. This site found no notice that it is live.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@maliborderguide.com.
Sources
- ECOWAS Commission: Press Statement (29 January 2025)
- AllAfrica: text of the AES communiqué of 23 January 2025 on passports entering circulation from 29 January 2025 (23 January 2025)
- We Are Tech Africa, Samira Njoya: Le Mali adopte le numérique pour fluidifier ses services consulaires (21 February 2025)
- AllAfrica, Sidwaya, Djakaridia Siribie: Rétro 2025/Carte et passeport AES, L'arsenal identitaire de l'espace sahélien opérationnel (4 January 2026)
- KOACI: Mali, Bamako digitalise ses frontières avec le nouveau passeport E-AES (28 October 2025)
- Ministère des Affaires étrangères et de la Coopération internationale du Mali: MDC de la République du Mali (official visa portal, accessed 24 October 2026)
Related
- Mali passport and the AES passport
When the AES passport started, whether ECOWAS-logo Malian passports stay valid, the E-AES passport from October 2025 and how other states treat them.
- Mali entry requirements
Passport, visa, yellow fever and nationality rules for entering Mali, with the official rule each comes from and the date of each source.
- Mali's borders with Burkina Faso and Niger
Crossing between Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger inside the Alliance of Sahel States: AES passport and ID card, Labbezanga post and dated advisories.
- Mali immigration and border agencies
The Malian bodies behind visas, border police, the airport, airspace and customs, with what each did in dated official records and reports.
- Mali currency and cash rules for travellers
UEMOA cash declaration rules applied by Mali customs: CFA franc thresholds for visitors and residents, gold limits and where sources differ.