Traditional crafts range from the striking masks of the Bambara, Dogon and Malinko peoples, to woodcarvings, original designs in ebony and bronze, woven cloth, and mats, gold and silver jewelry and copperware. Excellent pottery is made in the Ségou region, while Timbuktu is a good center for iron and copper articles, including swords, daggers and traditional household utensils.
Currency Information:CurrencyCFA (
Communauté Financière Africaine) Franc (XOF) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations
of XOF10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of XOF500, 200, 250, 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5.
Mali is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the
Banque des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is valid; currency issued by the
Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.
Currency ExchangePossible at main banks in Bamako, but this can be a slow process and exchange rates are often out of date.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMsDiners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in two hotels in Bamako. Cash advances on credit cards are available at only one bank in Mali, the BMCD Bank in Bamako, and only with a Visa credit card.
Traveller's ChequesCan be exchanged at banks. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars or Euros.
Banking HoursMon-Thurs 0730-1200 and 1315-1500, Fri 0730-1230.
Exchange Rate Indicators| Date | Apr 07 |
| $1.00= | XOF970.04 |
| £1.00= | XOF490.73 |
| €1.00= | XOF655.96 |
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