Last summer, I was able to visit one site in Madagascar, where UEF and Africa GreenTec are rolling out a mini-grid, to see for myself the difference being made to people’s lives. This was in the village of Mahasolo. Like over a third of Madagascans, the residents of Mahasolo have no access to the country’s national electricity grid.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is seeking proposals from NGOs/CSOs working in the field of women’s empowerment for capacity building of 20 women in domestic photovoltaic solar energy. Proposal amounts should not exceed USD 25,000 for direct interventions including all charges relating to training and equipment activities.

The village of Tsarazaza is located in the district of Fandriana in the Amoron’i Mania region in central Madagascar. Farming (mainly rice) and livestock are the primary economic activities.

The financing agreements were signed recently between the Malagasy authorities and local officials from the European Union (EU) and the French Development Agency (AFD). The two institutions have pledged €40million to implement the TalakyBe project, which aims to conserve and enhance the value of forests, as well as intensify sustainable agriculture

Madagascar, one of the world’s most energy-starved countries, has put its energy transition plans on track with a special focus on renewable energy. The government has plans to democratise electricity access, which may help bridge the ever-widening energy gap in the country.

The World Bank approved a $400 million credit for the Digital and Energy Connectivity for Inclusion in Madagascar Project (DECIM) that will contribute to doubling energy access from 33.7% to 67% in Madagascar and add an additional 3.4 million internet users to promote socio-economic inclusion.