3 million USD, the project was approved by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday January 3. The aim is to gradually include the 65% of the population who, according to DataReportal data, still lack access to the Internet. The Malian government has initiated a. IN a significant move towards advancing digital connectivity, the government of Mali has reportedly granted a contract worth $117. 3 million to the China International Telecommunication Construction Corporation (CITCC) to extend the country's national fibre optic network.