The AES and leaving ECOWAS: what actually changes for Malians (papers, currency, travel)
Since Mali left ECOWAS on 29 January 2025 and the Confederation of Sahel States was formed, what has changed and what has not for Malians: AES ID and consular cards, AES e-passport, CFA franc kept, children's travel document.
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger form the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) and have left ECOWAS. For a Malian at home or abroad, the question is practical: which papers, which currency, which procedures? Here is what has changed and what has stayed the same, based on the published texts.
Key points (checked on 18 October 2026)
- ECOWAS exit: effective 29 January 2025.
- ID card: the AES biometric ID card automatically replaces the ECOWAS card and the NINA card (decree no. 2025-0509); cards already issued remain valid until they expire.
- Passport: the AES e-passport (decree no. 2025-0510) will circulate for five years alongside the current passport.
- Currency: unchanged. Mali remains a WAEMU member and uses the CFA franc issued by the BCEAO.
ECOWAS, WAEMU, AES: three different organisations
| Organisation | Mali's position (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) | withdrawal effective 29 January 2025, with Burkina Faso and Niger |
| WAEMU and BCEAO (monetary union, CFA franc) | still a member: in September 2026, the BCEAO lists Mali among its eight member states |
| AES (Confederation of Sahel States) | founding member with Burkina Faso and Niger |
Leaving ECOWAS therefore does not mean leaving the CFA franc: see our page on money in Mali.
Identity documents
ID card. Decree no. 2025-0509 of 25 July 2025, published in the Official Journal of 8 August 2025, creates the AES biometric ID card, which replaces the ECOWAS biometric card and the NINA card. Valid cards remain usable until they expire. The price and the enrolment timetable for Malians had not been published at the time of checking. Details on our biometric ID card page.
Consular card. For Malians abroad, the same decree creates the AES consular ID card, issued only at embassies and consulates, replacing the paper consular card. You cannot hold a valid AES biometric card and a valid AES consular card at the same time. See our page on Malians abroad.
Passport. Decree no. 2025-0510 of 25 July 2025 creates the AES e-passport (ordinary dark green, service dark blue, diplomatic burgundy), valid for five years. For five years after its introduction, it coexists with the current passport, which remains valid. See our Malian passport page.
What has not caught up yet
- The children's travel document on the official portal is still described as "valid for the ECOWAS area": check with the Border Police before travelling. See our page on children.
- The orders setting prices and issuing conditions for the AES card and e-passport had not been found published in October 2026.
Joint defence
On the military side, decree no. 2026-0318/PT-RM of 29 May 2026 appoints the commander of the Unified Force of the Alliance of Sahel States (Official Journal no. 12 of 2026). For the security situation and travel advice, see our page on safety and travel advice.
Frequently asked questions
Does Mali still use the CFA franc?
Yes. Leaving ECOWAS does not affect the monetary union: Mali remains a WAEMU member, and the peg of 655.957 FCFA to the euro is unchanged.
Is my ECOWAS ID card still valid?
Yes, until its expiry date: the 2025 decree provides that cards already issued remain valid.
Do I need a new passport?
Not immediately: the AES e-passport and the current passport will circulate together for five years after the new one is introduced.
When did Mali leave ECOWAS?
The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger took effect on 29 January 2025.
Sources (checked on 18 October 2026)
- Official Journal of the Republic of Mali no. 23 of 2025, decrees no. 2025-0509 (AES ID and consular card) and no. 2025-0510 (AES e-passport) of 25 July 2025 (French).
- Official Journal of the Republic of Mali no. 12 of 2026, decree no. 2026-0318/PT-RM of 29 May 2026 (French) (table of contents).
- Central Bank of West African States, member states and banknotes (French).
- Encyclopædia Britannica, Economic Community of West African States: effective date of the withdrawal.