USAID SOUTHERN AFRICA ENERGY PROGRAM MADAGASCAR COUNTRY PROFILE

The program focused on addressing the lack of access to reliable energy, which has been a major obstacle to Madagascar's economic and social development. The country's infrastructure is outdated, and existing generation, transmission, and distribution assets are unable to meet growing demand. Rural electrification was a key area of focus for SAEP, with around 88 percent of Madagascar's rural population lacking access to electricity. To address this issue, SAEP supported Madagascar's state-owned electric utility and water services company, JIRAMA, in improving its capacity to deliver electrification projects. SAEP also worked with the rural electrification authority, Agence pour le Développement de l'Electrification Rurale (ADER), to assess the viability of rehabilitating failing diesel mini-grids. Additionally, SAEP conducted surveys and produced assessment reports for a vanilla growers' cooperative wanting to enter the solar home system (SHS) market in the SAVA region. SAEP also provided support to private sector mini-grid and SHS developers, including ANKA Madagascar, a woman-owned Malagasy mini-grid developer, which won a national call for tenders to build and operate mini-grids in 54 villages in southern Madagascar. SAEP launched a grant program in November 2020, awarding funding and supplementary technical advisory services to developers to build or expand mini-grids. The program has resulted in the extension of a hydro-powered mini-grid in the Municipality of Tsarazaza, Central Madagascar, and the commissioning of a mini-grid in Befandriana Sud, Central Madagascar. Industry exposure and knowledge exchange were also key components of SAEP's work in Madagascar. The program trained the next generation of engineers in skills such as renewable energy technologies and rural electrification. SAEP also engaged the Young African Leaders Initiative fellows based in Madagascar as part of a knowledge exchange and work skills program. The fellows assisted with data collection and analysis related to affordability and willingness to pay assessments for SHS and mini-grid markets. Energy efficiency was another area of focus for SAEP, with the program working with Madagascar's industry association, Syndicat des Industries de Madagascar (SIM), to conduct a small pilot of industrial energy efficiency with two member companies. The pilot entailed energy audits of the companies' factories to assess the current energy utilization, and SAEP developed actions that each company can implement to improve energy efficiency and reduce the cost of energy. Overall, SAEP's work in Madagascar has contributed to the country's efforts to increase power generation and access to electricity while promoting investment in the energy sector. The program has supported the development of mini-grids and SHS, improved the capacity of JIRAMA and ADER, and provided training and knowledge exchange opportunities for the next generation of engineers and industry professionals.