Land borders
Mali and Guinea border crossings
Short answer
- Main road named
- Kouremalé to Bamako road 1
- Transit agreements
- Announced after the Council of Ministers of 28 January 2026 1
- Malian exports via Guinea
- 299 tonnes in 2022, 7,624 tonnes in 2023 1
- Canada advice (Guinea)
- High degree of caution near the Mali border 2
- UK advice for Mali
- Against all travel (updated 10 July 2026) 4
The January 2026 transit agreements
RFI, in a report carried by AllAfrica on 1 February 2026, said Mali announced after its Council of Ministers on Wednesday 28 January measures to secure a new transit route for its goods through Guinea 1. The stated aim is to reduce dependence on the Dakar and Abidjan corridors 1. Mali and Guinea signed cooperation agreements on road and maritime transport and transit 1.
Under the agreements, Bamako gets port space and cargo handling facilities at the port of Conakry 1. Mali is giving Guinea 10 hectares near the Kouremalé to Bamako road, free of charge, for logistics and storage 1. The status is announced. This guide found no official notice on when the facilities open.
Traffic on the Guinea route
RFI reported that Malian exports via Guinea rose from 299 tonnes in 2022 to 7,624 tonnes in 2023, with the upward trend continuing in the first half of 2024 1. For comparison, about 2.5 million tonnes were unloaded in Dakar and 835,216 tonnes in Abidjan in 2025, according to the same report 1. It said ECOWAS sanctions in 2022 hindered Mali's supplies and drove the search for another corridor 1. It added that the Conakry route depends on port costs, the road network and security 1.
Hassane Koné of the Institute for Security Studies wrote on 6 October 2025 that ports in Guinea depend heavily on Malian traffic 5.
Documents at the crossing
Mali's withdrawal from ECOWAS took effect on 29 January 2025 6. 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, residence and establishment rights, until further notice 6.
The AES heads of state adopted a declaration in December 2024 allowing ECOWAS nationals to enter AES states without a visa, as reported by Sidwaya 7. Private and commercial vehicles from ECOWAS countries are to get facilities, subject to applicable laws 7.
Official advisories
The UK says road travel in Guinea can be hazardous in the rainy season from May to October 8.
| Government | Advice | Page date |
|---|---|---|
| Canada, Guinea page 2 | Exercise a high degree of caution near the borders with Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Mali and Sierra Leone 2 | Updated 13 October 2026 2 |
| UK, Guinea page 8 | Border areas of Guinea are often tense with an increased military presence. Police and local militia maintain checkpoints 8 | Still current at 21 October 2026 8 |
| UK, Mali page 4 | Against all travel to Mali. Do not attempt overland routes 4 | Updated 10 July 2026 4 |
| France, Mali page 3 | Leaving Bamako by road, including towards Guinea, is to be avoided 3 | Zone text updated 10 May 2024 3 |
Common questions
What is the main road between Mali and Guinea?
RFI names the Kouremalé to Bamako road in its report on the January 2026 transit agreements 1.
Did Mali and Guinea sign a transit deal?
Yes. Mali announced after its Council of Ministers of 28 January 2026 that the two countries signed road, maritime transport and transit agreements 1.
Do Guineans need a visa for Mali?
AES heads of state said in December 2024 that ECOWAS nationals may enter AES states without a visa 7.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].
Sources
- AllAfrica (RFI): Le Mali s'accorde avec la Guinée pour développer une voie alternative au transit de ses marchandises (1 February 2026)
- Government of Canada: Guinea travel advice and advisories (last updated 13 October 2026)
- Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères: Conseils aux voyageurs, Mali (zone text updated 10 May 2024)
- FCDO (GOV.UK): Mali travel advice (updated 10 July 2026, still current at 22 October 2026)
- ISS Today, Hassane Koné: Terrorist roadblocks strangle the economies of Mali and its neighbours (6 October 2025)
- 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): Guinea travel advice, Safety and security (still current at 21 October 2026)
Related
- Mali and Senegal border at Kidira and Diboli
The Diboli and Kidira crossing on the Senegal to Mali road: the July 2025 attack, the fuel blockade, ECOWAS rules after 2025 and official advisories.
- Mali and Côte d'Ivoire border crossings
The Pogo and Zégoua area on the Bamako to Côte d'Ivoire road, 2026 border demarcation talks, fuel convoy attacks and dated official 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.