Land borders
Mali and Côte d'Ivoire border crossings
Short answer
- Border area named
- Pogo and Zégoua 1
- Border route
- Adopted by joint commission, 21 to 25 August 2026 1
- Delimitation treaty
- Not yet signed, planned before end 2026 1
- UK advice
- Against all travel within 40 km of the Mali border 3
- US advice
- Level 4 for the northern border region 4
Border demarcation in 2026
Fraternité Matin reported that the joint technical commission on the border between Côte d'Ivoire and Mali held its fourth meeting in Bamako from 21 to 25 August 2026 1. The two sides adopted the final route of their common border by consensus and a draft delimitation treaty 1. A joint reconnaissance mission covered the Pogo and Zégoua zone from 12 to 19 April 2026 1.
The Ivorian delegation was led by Diakalidia Konaté, executive secretary of the Commission nationale des frontières de la Côte d'Ivoire 1. The article says the governments still need to sign the treaty and set up the base canvas for boundary markers before the end of 2026 1. The status is announced, not completed.
The road through Zégoua and Sikasso
Hassane Koné of the Institute for Security Studies wrote on 6 October 2025 that JNIM had been obstructing traffic on strategic roads since 3 September 2025 2. He wrote that the road from Bamako to Côte d'Ivoire was targeted between Zégoua and Sikasso, where three fuel tankers were set alight 2. On 21 September 2025 three tankers were ambushed between Sikasso and Bamako and two Ivorian drivers and an apprentice were killed 2.
The route carries a large share of Malian trade. RFI reported in February 2026 that 835,216 tonnes were unloaded in Abidjan in 2025, up more than 24.3 percent, in a report on Mali's transit routes 5.
The UK FCDO says attacks on major roads and transport routes are increasing across Mali and that JNIM blockades target fuel trucks 6.
Documents for Malians and Ivorians
Mali's withdrawal from ECOWAS took effect on 29 January 2025 7. The ECOWAS Commission asked authorities to keep recognising passports and identity cards with the ECOWAS logo held by Malian citizens and to keep their visa-free movement and residence rights, until further notice 7.
The AES heads of state adopted a declaration in December 2024 allowing ECOWAS nationals to enter, move, live and settle in AES states without a visa, as reported by Sidwaya 8. Each AES state keeps the right to refuse entry to people it deems inadmissible 8.
Official advisories for the border area
| Government | Advice | Page date |
|---|---|---|
| UK, Côte d'Ivoire page 3 | Against all travel within 40 km of the borders with Burkina Faso and Mali, northern Zanzan and Savanes, and Comoé National Park 3 | Updated 29 May 2026, still current at 11 October 2026 3 |
| US, Côte d'Ivoire page 4 | Level 4 Do Not Travel for the northern border region. Level 2 for the country. JNIM has in the past crossed from Burkina Faso to attack northern Côte d'Ivoire 4 | Issued 18 February 2026, updated 9 July 2026 4 |
| UK, Mali page 9 | Against all travel to Mali. Do not attempt overland routes 9 | Updated 10 July 2026 9 |
| France, Mali page 10 | Leaving Bamako by road, including towards Côte d'Ivoire, is to be avoided 10 | Zone text updated 10 May 2024 10 |
Common questions
Where do people cross between Mali and Côte d'Ivoire?
Recent official work names the Pogo and Zégoua zone 1. The main road runs from Bamako through Sikasso to Zégoua 2.
Has the Mali Côte d'Ivoire border been demarcated?
A joint commission adopted the final route in Bamako in August 2026. The treaty still has to be signed, planned before the end of 2026 1.
Do Ivorians need a visa for Mali?
AES heads of state said in December 2024 that ECOWAS nationals may enter AES states without a visa, subject to each state's right to refuse entry 8.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].
Sources
- Fraternité Matin: Frontière Côte d'Ivoire-Mali : les deux pays adoptent définitivement le tracé (27 August 2026)
- ISS Today, Hassane Koné: Terrorist roadblocks strangle the economies of Mali and its neighbours (6 October 2025)
- FCDO (GOV.UK): Côte d'Ivoire travel advice (updated 29 May 2026, still current at 11 October 2026)
- U.S. Department of State: Côte d'Ivoire Travel Advisory (18 February 2026, updated 9 July 2026)
- AllAfrica (RFI): Le Mali s'accorde avec la Guinée pour développer une voie alternative au transit de ses marchandises (1 February 2026)
- FCDO (GOV.UK): Mali travel advice, Safety and security (updated 10 July 2026)
- ECOWAS: Press Statement on the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger (29 January 2025)
- Sidwaya, Augustin Sogoh Sanou: Libre circulation : L'AES ouvre ses frontières aux ressortissants de la CEDEAO (14 December 2024)
- FCDO (GOV.UK): Mali travel advice (updated 10 July 2026, still current at 22 October 2026)
- Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères: Conseils aux voyageurs, Mali (zone text updated 10 May 2024)
Related
- 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 and Guinea border crossings
The Kouremalé road to Bamako, the January 2026 Mali and Guinea transit agreements, ECOWAS document rules and dated travel advisories.
- Mali's exit from ECOWAS: what changed
What the ECOWAS Commission decided on 29 January 2025, what the AES changed for passports and IDs, and which points are still announcements or plans.
- Mali travel advisories compared
What the UK, US, France and Canada say about Mali, with each page date: overall level, roads, Bamako airport and entry documents.