Koutiala (Bambara: ߞߎߕߌߊߟߊ tr. Kutiala) is a city in Mali, located 140 km north of the city of Sikasso. Koutiala serves as the capital of its administrative Region and Cercle. As of 2023, Koutiala has 214,271 residents.

History Situated in Minianka country, Koutiala was founded in the 16th century by members of the Coulibaly family from the Bambara kingdom of Segou. It now contains an important hospital for women and children.Koutiala Hospital Koutiala's sister city is Alençon, France. Climate

Economy Koutiala is the heartland of cotton production in Mali and is sometimes called "the white gold capital" for its cotton. However, the industry has been affected by stagnation since the 1980s. Aside from cotton it is also noted for grain production, primarily pearl millet, sorghum and maize. Koutiala is the second most industrial city in Mali, hosting, among others, the Compagnie malienne pour le développement du textile (CMDT) and the Huilerie cotonnière du Mali (HUICOMA).

Notable people Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, president of Mali Berthé Aïssata Bengaly, Malian government minister

Photo Gallery

See also List of cities in Mali

References