In 2010, Sweden upgraded its presence in Mali by establishing a full embassy in Bamako, focusing on development cooperation, including human rights, democracy, and sustainable resource management.

However, due to deteriorating security and Mali's growing alignment with Russia, Sweden decided to close the embassy by the end of 2024, while maintaining regional support through Dakar, Senegal.

[1] In a government bill in March 1963, it was proposed that a Swedish diplomatic mission be established in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, with a jurisdiction that would also cover Mali, as well as Niger, Togo, and Upper Volta.

Since the embassy opened in 2010, Sweden had invested heavily in Mali's rural development, education, and health sectors, contributing significantly to local infrastructure and essential services.

Additionally, concerns over corruption were raised after it was discovered that 7.3 million SEK in Swedish aid funds were improperly accounted for, leading to an ongoing recovery process.

[10] The embassy in Bamako had 24 employees, of whom 12 were sent from Sweden: five from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, six from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), and one from the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA), along with 11 locally employed staff.

The development cooperation focused on the following areas: human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and gender equality; peaceful and inclusive societies; and environment, climate, and sustainable use of natural resources.

[11] Through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA), Sweden worked closely with local actors to improve the living conditions of the Malian population and support the inclusive peace and reconciliation process.

[13] The mission of the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) in Sweden's bilateral strategy for development cooperation with Mali for 2021-2025 included contributing to strengthened respect for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, including security sector reform, as well as enhancing the conditions for equal participation in peace processes and strengthening the capacity to prevent, manage, and resolve conflicts at various levels of society in Mali.