I’m a Supporter of Assimi Goïta — Here’s Why I Disagree With Calling Him One of Africa’s “Most Useless Presidents”

I’m a Supporter of Assimi Goïta — So Seeing Him Called One of Africa’s “Most Useless Presidents” Didn’t Sit Right With Me

I came across a video from Rafiqi Josepy, the creator behind @rafikiaskingpeople_, where he presented a list of what he described as the 10 most useless presidents in Africa.

And when I saw Assimi Goïta, the leader of Mali, on that list, I had to stop and ask myself:

What kind of research did you actually do?

I'm going to be completely transparent about where I'm coming from.

I'm a supporter of Assimi Goïta.

I follow his leadership closely, and I believe in the vision he has been pushing for Mali. I believe he is trying to change the direction of his country and put more control of Mali's resources and future into the hands of Malians.

So I'm not going to pretend I'm writing this as some completely neutral observer.

I'm writing this because I genuinely believe Assimi Goïta is making a difference in Mali, and I don't agree with somebody reducing his leadership to the word “useless.”

Maybe I'm wrong about the other presidents

I'll be honest.

I don't know enough about every other president included in that video to sit here and judge the entire list.

Maybe there are leaders on that list who deserve criticism.

But Assimi Goïta is different for me.

I've been following what is happening in Mali, and when I look at the direction the country has been taking, I see a government attempting to make significant changes.

That's why this particular ranking bothered me.

Look at what Mali is doing with its natural resources

One of the biggest reasons I support Goïta's vision is his push for greater economic sovereignty.

For years, African countries have had enormous natural resources while ordinary Africans have often questioned how much of that wealth actually stays in their countries.

Goïta's government has taken a much more aggressive approach to Mali's mining sector.

Mali's 2023 mining reforms increased the potential participation of the Malian state and private Malian investors in mining projects, while the government has also pursued audits and recovery of unpaid revenues.

The Malian government reported recovering more than 760 billion CFA francs from mining companies and, in 2026, distributing 18.4 billion CFA francs through the local mining-development fund to 819 municipalities for basic infrastructure, including health, water and education.

The IMF has independently acknowledged that the implementation of Mali's mining reforms is expected to substantially increase government revenue. Its 2026 assessment estimated that full adoption of the 2023 mining code could generate around 761 billion CFA francs in additional revenue.

That's not something I can simply ignore.

And Mali is also pursuing local gold processing, including the construction of a gold refinery.

That is the kind of economic sovereignty I want to see more African countries pursue.

I want African countries to stop simply exporting their raw wealth and asking why their people remain poor.

And it's not only about gold

Look at healthcare.

Mali's government says 15 district hospitals are currently under construction, along with new dialysis centers and improvements to existing health facilities. Solar systems are also being installed at healthcare facilities to help them deal with the country's energy challenges.

Those are tangible projects.

You can debate how quickly they're being completed.

You can debate whether they're enough.

But you cannot honestly tell me that nothing is happening.

Mali is trying to tackle its energy problems too

Mali has faced serious electricity challenges.

Goïta's government has been pushing projects aimed at increasing domestic energy production and improving access to water and electricity. The government describes these as part of a broader strategy toward energy sovereignty.

And that's another part of Goïta's vision that I personally support.

A country cannot truly be independent if it cannot reliably power itself.

Even the IMF recognized progress in reforms

This is another reason I think people need to look beyond social-media opinions.

The IMF said in March 2026 that Mali had achieved all quantitative and indicative targets under its monitored program and had implemented its structural benchmarks, including reforms involving tax-receipt digitalization and public financial management.

That doesn't mean the IMF is endorsing Assimi Goïta.

And it doesn't mean Mali's problems have disappeared.

But it does mean that the picture is much more complicated than:

“Assimi Goïta is useless.”

I support his vision—but that doesn't mean I think Mali is perfect

Let me make that clear.

Being a supporter doesn't mean I believe everything is perfect in Mali.

Mali still has serious security and economic challenges. The country has experienced enormous difficulties, and Goïta's government deserves criticism when people believe it has made mistakes.

But I don't believe criticism should require us to ignore progress.

I can support a leader and still acknowledge his shortcomings.

And I can also look at what his government is doing and say:

This man has a vision for his country, and I believe he is trying to build something different.

That's where I stand.

So when I saw him on that list...

I honestly couldn't help but question the research behind it.

Brother, you said you did your research.

What kind of research did you do?

Because if you actually look at Mali's mining reforms, healthcare projects, energy initiatives, infrastructure investments and efforts to increase the country's share of its own natural-resource wealth, I don't understand how the word “useless” becomes the conclusion.

You don't have to like Assimi Goïta.

You don't have to support his government.

You don't even have to agree with my opinion.

But if you're going to rank him among Africa's 10 most useless presidents, then I think you owe your audience more than a name on a list.

Show us the research.

Because I follow this president.

I believe in his vision.

And from what I've seen, Assimi Goïta is making a difference in Mali.

That's why I had to react to this one.

And honestly, I'm going to unfollow you—not because you criticized my president, but because after seeing Assimi Goïta on that list, I don't have confidence in the research behind your ranking.

Maybe you see things differently. That's fine.

But tell me:

Do you think Assimi Goïta belongs on a list of Africa's “most useless presidents,” or do his reforms and projects tell a completely different story?