Marie Ngah scored both goals for the Indomitable Lionesses, finding the net in the 14th minute and converting a penalty in the 73rd minute. Aïssata Traoré had equalised for Mali from the penalty spot in the 30th minute.
Cameroon controlled large periods of the match and showed greater attacking threat, eventually securing the three points at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium. The result places them level on points with Ghana at the top of Group D after the opening round of fixtures.
Mali will look to bounce back in their remaining group matches as they seek their first points of the tournament.