Final answer:
An African economist in Mali between 2002 and 2003 would be involved in analyzing Mali's present and historical economic conditions, including its wealth in natural resources and the impacts of political changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
An African economist living in Mali between 2002 and 2003 would most likely be analyzing and working with the economic conditions prevailing during that time in Mali. Considering the country's historical challenges such as varied governments, coups, and exterior attacks, the economist would also need to understand Mali's economic history, including its past as a center for the lucrative trans-Saharan trade when it was part of the great Empires, like the Empire of Mali which was twice the size and wealthier than Ghana.
The presence of natural resources like gold and uranium, along with the geopolitical shifts that have affected Mali's economy through ages, from the times of renowned figures like Mansa Musa who enhanced Mali's prominence with his pilgrimage to Mecca, would be crucial factors in the economist's analyses and recommendations.