As performances are expected to be good in its agriculture and mining sectors, Mali should record this year an economic growth of 6% against 4% in 2015, said Minister of Economy and Finance on February 23.

According to preliminary results, Mali produced this season 8.04 million tons of cereals against 6.98 million during the 2014-2015 season. The cotton output which was at 548,000 the past season is at 550,370 tons this season.

“Perspectives are good. Growth is mostly driven by agriculture and gold exports,” highlighted Oumar Diall, Director of the division for economic analysis and forecasts at Mali’s ministry of Economy.

With 50 tons in 2015, Mali is Africa’s third best gold producer, behind South Africa and Ghana.