A major trade and industrial town on the Niger River, Koulikoro has been surpassed by Kati to the west as the largest town in the region.

Also to the southwest, lying entirely within Kati Cercle but administratively separate, is the District of Bamako, which after independence was carved out of the middle of the region.

It is home to primarily Bambara and Malinke farmers, including large export Mango plantations along the river.

Other farm products include groundnuts, cotton, tobacco and Shea butter.

The north of the Cercle is dry, Sahel land, primarily used for livestock.