LOGISTICS DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH NEXUS: EVIDENCE FROM A WEST AFRICAN LANDLOCKED COUNTRY (MALI)

Abstract

Landlocked economies encounter unique logistical challenges that influence their growth and competitiveness. This research investigates the interrelation between logistics development and economic growth in Mali, a landlocked nation in West Africa, by evaluating the contributions of transport infrastructure, information technology, logistics expertise, governance and bilateral partnerships in enhancing national logistics performance and regional economic results. Primary data were collected through an online questionnaire administered to 250 stakeholders across transport, trade and policy sectors using purposive and snowball sampling. Constructs were validated through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, with some weaker items removed during CFA to ensure model reliability. Structural equation modeling with SPSS and AMOS confirmed strong reliability (Cronbach’s alpha 0.82–0.93) and validity (CR > 0.70; AVE > 0.50). Results reveal that transport modes and infrastructure, IT integration, and logistics skills exert significant positive effects on both logistics performance and regional economic growth, while governance and bilateral partnerships further enhance import/export flows and regional exchanges. However, the analysis also highlights persistent challenges unique to Mali, including inadequate infrastructure, shortages of skilled labor, high transit costs, customs inefficiencies, political instability, and the impact of economic sanctions. Overall, the findings underscore that targeted investment in multimodal infrastructure, ICT integration, and professional capacity-building supported by effective governance and partnerships is vital to strengthening logistics efficiency and fostering sustainable growth in Mali. The study contributes to the literature on logistics in landlocked economies and provides actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and development partners.