The strife-torn West African nation, Mali, has been approved to receive an $18.4 million loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help stabilize its economy over the next 12 months, the IMF said on Monday.The strife-torn West African nation, Mali, has been approved to receive an $18.4 million loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help stabilize its economy over the next 12 months, the IMF said on Monday.