Flag of Mali
countryThe flag of Mali was adopted on March 1, 1961. Vertical tricolour. It uses 3 colours: green, yellow and red. The official proportions are 2:3.
Hoist
Ratio 2:3
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Mali |
|---|---|
| Country | Mali |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Mali |
| Capital | Bamako |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Western Africa |
| ISO Country Code | ML / MLI |
| Internet Domain | .ml |
| Calling Code | +223 |
| Currency | West African CFA franc (XOF) |
| National Language(s) | French |
| Demonym | Malian |
| Area | 1,240,192 km² |
| Population | 25 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Mali |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | March 1, 1961 |
| First Used | 1959 |
| Current Version Adopted | March 1, 1961 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Green, Yellow, Red |
| Design Type | Vertical tricolour |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Mali |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | #14B53A | 20, 181, 58 | 89, 0, 68, 29 | |
| Yellow | #FCD116 | 252, 209, 22 | 0, 17, 91, 1 | |
| Red | #CE1126 | 206, 17, 38 | 0, 92, 82, 19 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Green colour | Represents the fertility of the land |
|---|---|
| Yellow colour | Represents purity and the mineral wealth |
| Red colour | Represents the blood shed for independence |
| Pan-African colours | The flag originally carried a black human figure, removed in 1961 |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1959 | The design was first used |
| 1961-03-01 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
Mali Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Mali
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 65 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | March 1, 1961 |
| Oldest Version | 1959 |
| Most Common Color | Green |
| Similar Flags | Andorra, Belgium, Cameroon |
| Unique Feature | Vertical tricolour |
Other vertical tricolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Mali
- Mali's flag originally carried a black human figure, the kanaga, in the centre band; it was removed in 1961 after objections on religious grounds.
- Without the figure, the flag is identical to Guinea's reversed and to Senegal's without its star — all three come from the same brief federation period.
- The flag of Mali was officially adopted on March 1, 1961.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1959, 2 years before it was formally made the flag of Mali.
- The flag in its present form is 65 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Vertical tricolour.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: green, yellow and red.
- The green on the flag stands for the fertility of the land.
- The yellow on the flag stands for purity and the mineral wealth.
- The red on the flag stands for the blood shed for independence.
- Pan-African colours: The flag originally carried a black human figure, removed in 1961.
- The design belongs to the "Vertical tricolour" family, shared with 27 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Andorra, Belgium and Cameroon.
- Mali became independent on 22 September 1960 from France.
- Football is the national sport.
- The national anthem is "Le Mali".
- The flag is flown everywhere on 22 September, Independence Day.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Mali
When was the flag of Mali adopted?
The flag of Mali was officially adopted on March 1, 1961, though the design had already been in use since 1959.
What do the colours of the flag of Mali mean?
Green for the fertility of the land, yellow for purity and the mineral wealth and red for the blood shed for independence.
When did Mali gain independence?
Mali became independent on 22 September 1960 from France.
What is the national sport of Mali?
Football is the national sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Mali represent?
Pan-African colours — The flag originally carried a black human figure, removed in 1961.
What are the proportions of the flag of Mali?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 82 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Mali?
The national anthem is "Le Mali".
When is the national day of Mali?
It falls on 22 September, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Mali?
The capital is Bamako. The currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF) and the language spoken is French.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Mali?
The closest matches are Andorra, Belgium and Cameroon, which share both the construction and most of the colours.