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Bamako, Mali 🇲🇱
#208 ,

Nomad Score: 46%

💰 Cost & Affordability

💸 Cost of Living
81% Weight: 150
Bamako is generally very affordable compared to global standards, with low prices for daily expenses.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
78% Weight: 80
Rental prices are low, especially outside of central areas, but quality can vary significantly.
🍎 Food & Groceries
85% Weight: 40
Local markets offer fresh produce at low prices; imported goods are more expensive but still affordable.
🚌 Transportation Cost
90% Weight: 20
Public transport and shared taxis are very cheap and widely used.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
70% Weight: 15
Entertainment options are limited but inexpensive when available.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
52% Weight: 10
Gyms exist but are limited in number and quality; prices are moderate for local standards.
💱 Currency Stability
43% Weight: 30
The West African CFA franc is relatively stable but subject to regional economic fluctuations.

💻 Digital Nomad Essentials

🚀 Internet Speed
37% Weight: 100
Internet is available but often slow and unreliable, with frequent outages.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
21% Weight: 40
Very few coworking spaces exist; most digital nomads work from cafes or home.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
45% Weight: 30
Some cafes offer WiFi but connection quality is inconsistent.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
30% Weight: 30
Limited number of cafes catering specifically to digital nomads.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
18% Weight: 100
Bamako is not a well-known destination for digital nomads.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
80% Weight: 25
SIM cards are easy to obtain and affordable with good coverage.

🌟 Quality of Life

⚖️ Work-Life Balance
60% Weight: 30
Pace of life is relaxed but infrastructure challenges can impact productivity.
🌳 Environmental Quality
40% Weight: 15
Urban pollution and waste management issues affect environmental quality.
🧼 Cleanliness
35% Weight: 10
City cleanliness is a challenge with visible litter and limited sanitation services.
🗨️ Language Barrier
50% Weight: 30
French is the official language; English is not widely spoken, which can be a barrier.
💨 Air Quality
32% Weight: 15
Air pollution from dust and vehicle emissions is common, especially during dry season.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Friendly
40% Weight: 25
Limited family-oriented amenities and services.

🏥 Healthcare

🏥 Healthcare Quality
38% Weight: 20
Healthcare facilities are basic; serious medical issues often require travel abroad.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
70% Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are low but quality is limited.
🏥 Healthcare
39% Weight: 20
Overall healthcare infrastructure is underdeveloped for expats and digital nomads.

🌿 Climate & Environment

☀️ Weather
75% Weight: 80
Tropical climate with hot temperatures and a distinct dry season; can be very hot in peak months.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
80% Weight: 10
Low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes or hurricanes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
40% Weight: 10
Limited public parks and green areas within the city.
❄️ Air Conditioning
55% Weight: 15
Air conditioning is available in hotels and some offices but not widespread in homes.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
30% Weight: 10
Tropical climate with little seasonal variation beyond wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
35% Weight: 10
High noise levels from traffic and street activity common.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
78% Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with music, dance, and traditional crafts.
🌃 Nightlife
45% Weight: 15
Nightlife is limited but includes local bars and occasional live music.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
50% Weight: 15
Limited natural attractions within the city; nearby river and countryside offer some outdoor options.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60% Weight: 10
Opportunities to learn French and local languages exist but are informal.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
65% Weight: 10
Cultural tours and markets provide authentic local experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
35% Weight: 10
Few indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas or malls.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
72% Weight: 25
Local cuisine is flavorful and affordable; international options are limited.
🧠 Yoga Studios
20% Weight: 10
Very few yoga studios or wellness centers.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
35% Weight: 15
Limited gyms and fitness centers with basic equipment.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
60% Weight: 15
Fresh fruits and vegetables are available; processed healthy options are rare.

💼 Work Environment

🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
65% Weight: 20
GMT time zone is convenient for European and African clients but less so for Americas or Asia.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
25% Weight: 25
Few formal networking events for digital nomads or entrepreneurs.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
30% Weight: 20
Local remote job market is limited; most digital nomads rely on international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
28% Weight: 20
Freelance community is small and informal.
🏢 Coworking Quality
20% Weight: 30
Existing coworking spaces are basic and lack amenities.

📈 Business & Economy

🚀 Startup Scene
30% Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem but still in early stages.
💳 Local Payment Services
40% Weight: 10
Mobile money services are growing but international payment options can be limited.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
35% Weight: 15
Interest in crypto is growing but adoption remains low.

🚆 Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
50% Weight: 30
Bamako’s airport connects to regional hubs but limited direct international flights.
🚇 Public Transit
40% Weight: 20
Public transport consists mainly of shared taxis and minibuses; no formal system.
🚶 Walkability
35% Weight: 20
Sidewalks are inconsistent and pedestrian infrastructure is limited.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
25% Weight: 15
Ride-hailing apps are not widely available; informal taxi services dominate.
🚲 Cycling
20% Weight: 10
Cycling infrastructure is minimal and roads can be unsafe.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
45% Weight: 15
Bus services connect to other cities but are basic and sometimes unreliable.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
15% Weight: 10
No formal scooter or bike rental services.

📡 Connectivity

📱 Mobile Network Coverage
60% Weight: 20
Mobile coverage is widespread but data speeds vary.
🔒 VPN Reliability
50% Weight: 20
VPNs generally work but occasional government restrictions can occur.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
35% Weight: 15
Frequent power outages are common; backup power often necessary.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
30% Weight: 10
Public WiFi is scarce and often unreliable.

⚖️ Legal & Administrative

🛂 Visa Ease
55% Weight: 40
Visas are required for many nationalities; process can be bureaucratic but manageable.
📊 Tax Friendliness
40% Weight: 30
Tax system is complex and not particularly favorable for foreigners.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
50% Weight: 15
Moderate freedom of speech with some government restrictions.
🏛️ Political Stability
30% Weight: 20
Political situation is fragile with occasional unrest and security concerns.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
40% Weight: 15
Opening bank accounts can be bureaucratic and requires local documentation.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
45% Weight: 10
Business registration is possible but involves lengthy procedures.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0% Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
20% Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community support for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
15% Weight: 25
Very few or no organized nomad events or meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
20% Weight: 20
Minimal online presence or forums for digital nomads in Bamako.

🛡️ Safety & Tolerance

🛡️ Safety
30% Weight: 100
Safety concerns due to crime and regional instability; caution advised.
♀️ Female Friendly
30% Weight: 50
Cultural norms and safety issues can pose challenges for female travelers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
50% Weight: 50
Generally tolerant but occasional discrimination reported.

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