Civil service exams in Mali: eligibility, age limits, application file and retirement (2026 statute)

To become a state civil servant in Mali, you normally have to pass a direct recruitment exam (concours direct). The rules changed in 2026: ordinance no. 2026-003/PT-RM of 2 March 2026 sets a new General Civil Service Statute and repeals law no. 02-053 of 16 December 2002. The sheets on the government procedures portal, written under the old law, still show the old age limits. This page follows the new statute and points out the differences.

Key points (checked on 18 October 2026)

• Age limit on 31 December of the exam year: 35 for category C, 38 for B1 and B2, 43 for A (up from 32, 35 and 40 under the 2002 law). Minimum age: 18.
• Application: stamped application form, birth certificate extract, diploma or certified copy, nationality certificate.
• After passing: criminal record certificate less than three months old and a medical examination certificate.
• Probation of at least 18 months before tenure.
• Retirement at 58, 61, 62 or 65 depending on category (C, B1, B2, A).

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Who it covers

The statute applies to state civil servants. It does not apply to contract staff, the military, magistrates, university lecturer-researchers, local government civil servants or staff of autonomous public bodies (article 1). They have their own statutes.

Besides exams, the official portal mentions two other routes into public employment: direct recruitment of non-civil-servant staff, decided by order of the minister for the civil service, and contract recruitment.

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The four categories and the diplomas

Civil service corps fall into four categories, defined by the minimum level of training (article 4 and annex I):

A foreign diploma only counts once its equivalence with a national diploma has been established (article 37). To authenticate a Malian diploma, see our page on diplomas, exams and scholarships.

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Eligibility

Under article 31 of the ordinance, no one can be recruited unless they:

• hold Malian nationality;
• enjoy their civic rights and are of good character;
• are at least 18 and at most 35 (category C), 38 (B1 and B2) or 43 (A);
• meet the general and physical fitness requirements of the corps;
• hold one of the diplomas required by the corps.

A serving civil servant cannot sit the direct exam for another corps, and a civil servant who has been dismissed cannot apply (article 33). Recruitment must fill a vacant post: positions are set each year according to planned and budgeted jobs (article 30).

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How the exam works

The official portal describes these steps:

1. Positions set by joint order of the finance and civil service ministers, by corps.
2. Call for applications (opening notice), broadcast on radio, in the press, online and on notice boards, notably at the CNCFP, regional governorates and Mali's diplomatic missions. It gives the number of posts, required diplomas, deadline, date and exam syllabus.
3. Applications: the deadline cannot be less than one month or more than two months from the notice.
4. Lists of accepted and rejected candidates, with reasons for rejection, published at least 48 hours before the exams.
5. Exams in Bamako and regional centres; the official sheet names Kayes, Sikasso, Ségou, Mopti and Gao. Marking is done in Bamako.
6. Diploma checks for shortlisted candidates; a diploma found to be fake means the next candidate on the list takes the place.
7. Results published by notice, then appointment of successful candidates as probationary civil servants by order.

The direct exam registration form can be downloaded from the official portal, which also gives an email address to send it to.

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Application documents

When applying (official portal):

• a stamped application form;
• a birth certificate extract or the court substitute judgment;
• the required diploma, a certified copy or the attestation standing in for it;
• a nationality certificate.

If you pass, the file is completed with a criminal record certificate less than three months old and a medical examination and counter-examination certificate from approved medical authorities.

The recruitment order carries the national identification number (NINA) and date of birth; only that date counts, and any challenge must be made within two months of taking up the post (article 32). Check your civil status documents before applying.

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Probation, tenure and career

Successful candidates are appointed probationary civil servants. Probation lasts at least 18 months, including compulsory military service under the National Youth Service; a renewed probation that is not conclusive leads to automatic dismissal (article 34). Grading depends on the diploma: category A has five entry steps, from the licence (3rd class, 1st step) to the DES after a doctorate (2nd class, 1st step).

Moving up a category is done through training or a professional exam, within 20% of vacant posts. For the professional exam you need a favourable opinion from your superiors, must be at least five years from retirement and have at least seven years' seniority in category C or five years in B1 (articles 112 to 117).

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Leave

For training leave, the official sheet says the employee applies to their head of service, who forwards the request to the civil service minister if they approve; it is free.

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Retirement and leaving

Source: articles 123 and 124 of the ordinance. The last three months of a career are an expectative leave that includes the final year's annual leave. Early retirement can be requested after 15 years of service; it is granted as of right but can be postponed by up to one year (article 128).

The retirement allowance is based on the average monthly pay over the last twelve months, bonuses included: 20% per year for the first five years, 25% from the 6th to the 10th, 30% beyond; any part of a year counts as a full year (article 126). A civil servant who resigns after at least 15 years of service receives an allowance calculated the same way (article 129).

For the pension file, the official sheet lists: birth certificate, marriage certificate, children's birth certificates, children's joint life certificate, retirement, integration and tenure orders, service record and certificate of cessation of payment. The file is lodged with the pension fund, which calculates the pension. For private-sector employees, see our INPS page.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the age limit for Mali's civil service exams?

Since the ordinance of 2 March 2026: 35 for category C, 38 for categories B1 and B2 and 43 for category A, on 31 December of the exam year. The minimum age is 18.

What documents are needed to register for the direct exam?

A stamped application form, a birth certificate extract, the diploma or a certified copy and a nationality certificate. The criminal record and medical certificate are only requested after passing.

Can a Malian living abroad apply?

The requirement is Malian nationality, not residence. Exam notices are also posted at diplomatic missions; the exams take place in Mali. See our page on Malians abroad.

At what age do civil servants retire?

At 58, 61, 62 or 65 depending on whether the last category is C, B1, B2 or A, with the option to leave on request three years earlier.

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Official sources (checked on 18 October 2026)

• Official Journal of the Republic of Mali no. 04 of 6 March 2026, ordinance no. 2026-003/PT-RM of 2 March 2026 on the General Civil Service Statute (French), articles 1, 4, 30 to 37, 45 to 52, 112 to 117, 123 to 129, 141 and annex I.
• Government of Mali, procedures portal: Civil servant recruitment (French) (steps, deadlines and documents; age limits predating 2026), Access to public employment (French), Training leave (French) and Retirement from the civil service (French).