Switzerland recognized Mali as an independent state in 1960 and the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1961. Despite a number of bilateral treaties (trade, economic cooperation, mutual investment protection, civil aviation), economic exchange remained modest.

Since the late 1970s, Mali has been a priority country for Swiss development cooperation. Through its Coordination Office in the capital, Bamako, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) supports projects in the areas of healthcare, sustainable management of natural resources, and decentralization. In 2005, the SDC also provided food aid.