Madagascar

The EU is supporting Madagascar’s renewable energy development to increase access to electricity. It is mobilising private and public investment and building the capacity of public institutions for the country’s long-term energy future. Key actions include:  

• Construction of the Volobe and Sahofika hydroelectric dam which will significantly boost Madagascar's renewable energy capacity.
• Development of key power grid connections, such as the Tamatave/Volobe/Antananarivo and Antananarivo/Sahofika/Antsirabe links, improving electricity distribution across the country.
• Construction of decentralised photovoltaic mini-grids: the EU is promoting sustainable access to electricity for all at the lowest cost, particularly in rural areas, while mobilising private sector financing and expertise, and encouraging entrepreneurship.
• Institutional support: the EU supports institutions in their thinking, training and experimentation, facilitating approaches to scale-up and complementarity of technologies, preparing concrete projects and supporting the private sector in their development.
• Enhancing skills and providing professional training: to ensure the sustainability of renewable energy projects, the EU supports training and capacity-building initiatives, equipping local professionals with the necessary skills for the energy sector. 

Our efforts will focus on improving road and port infrastructure, governance, and skills development to enable selected Madagascar's seaports to become major centres in the Indian Ocean and the main import/export hubs with the African continent and Europe. This includes:  

• Rehabilitation of transport infrastructure: key roads, including RN9, RN12/RN12A, RN6, and RN13.
• Support to the Ministry of Public Works to improve the overall governance of Madagascar's transport sector, including road transport governance, and the strengthening of port and maritime security.
• Enhancing skills and providing professional and higher education training to ensure the sustainability of transport projects, the EU supports training and capacity-building initiatives, equipping local professionals with the necessary skills for the energy sector. 

The EU partners with Madagascar on environmental and biodiversity protection and climate adaptation to enhance environmental governance, protect ecosystems, while generating jobs in the green and blue economy.This includes: 

• Conservation of protected areas and biodiversity, in particular in the Marolambo, Midongy du Sud, Andohahela, Ankarafantsika, Ankarana, Analamerana et Montagne d’Ambre, alongside sustainable development around these protected areas.
• Reforestation and improved governance in the forestry sector, soil protection, and wildlife management initiatives.
• Promotion of ocean governance, a sustainable blue economy, and marine biodiversity preservation.
• Vocational training, gender equality, and decent work in natural resource sectors. 

The EU supports the agricultural sector by promoting sustainable practices, improving productivity, and enhancing food security. Our efforts aim to strengthen local agriculture, expand access to finance, and build resilience among vulnerable populations, particularly in rural areas.  

• Development of export agricultural sectors: the EU will support certain export sectors of processed agricultural products, alongside support for access to finance.
• Support for sustainable food systems in southern regions (Androy, Anosy, Atsimo-Atsinanana) and northern and central regions (Analamanga, Itasy, Diana, Sava, Analanjirofo), targeting value chains like millet, sorghum, peanuts, rice, fish farming, and livestock.
• Improvement of agricultural productivity through conventional and organic farming techniques, with a focus on key sectors such as rice, maize, peanuts, and small ruminants. Developing maize and rice value chains, improving fishing techniques, and supporting the production of food for children in local communities.
• Strengthening the resilience of vulnerable populations, including women and children, through initiatives like cash transfers, food assistance, and nutrition support.
• Institutional support to enhance the governance of agriculture, including strengthening legislative frameworks, research institutions, producer support structures, and control systems for agricultural products, while also improving climate services for better agricultural planning.
• Vocational training, with a focus on export value chains, human development, and education. 

The EU and Madagascar concluded a sustainable fishery partnership agreement in 2023. It seeks to improve the management and conservation of fishery resources, facilitate access to EU tuna vessels to Malagasy waters, and support the development of Madagascar’s fishing sector.  

EU support includes the monitoring of small-scale fishing activities to ensure sustainability and compliance with regulations.  

The EU is working with Madagascar on improving water and sanitation infrastructure and ensuring access to clean water for the population, by. 

• Rehabilitating drinking water supply networks in Antananarivo and Toamasina, including the construction of new treatment plants, transport networks, and storage facilities.
• Rehabilitating of hydraulic infrastructures in Antananarivo. 

The EU-Madagascar partnership also places a strong emphasis on enhancing trade and investment. Key initiatives include: 

• Improving the business environment by supporting public-private dialogue, trade facilitation measures, investment promotion, and digitalisation of administrative procedures for businesses, including EPA implementation.
• Strengthening the competitiveness of export value chains including organic agriculture, tourism, textiles, ICT and horticulture products by reenforcing entrepreneurial ecosystems and incubators, and promoting access to
• Improving access to European markets for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and enhance their capabilities in meeting international standards. 

Combatting gender-based violence and promoting gender equality are central to the EU-Madagascar partnership. A special focus is on enhancing education and vocational training opportunities for girls and young women.  

The partnership aims to enhance skills in key sectors like environmental protection, energy, and sustainable agriculture, while also strengthening training in textiles, tourism and ICT.  

Madagascar also participates in the Erasmus+ programme for higher education and research.  

In health matters, the partnership focuses on improving access to essential services and healthcare infrastructure. Key initiatives include: 

• Supporting SALAMA, Madagascar's central procurement agency for essential medicines.
• Strengthening healthcare supply chains.
• Enhancing maternal, child, and reproductive health services.
• Rehabilitating health facilities.
• Advancing digitalisation in the healthcare system. 

The EU and Madagascar work on improving the mobile broadband services throughout the country.  

The EU provides assistance on strengthening governance across various sectors: 

• Strengthening Economic Governance: the EU supports the management of public finances, budget strategy, investment management, state personnel management, and transparency, as well as reforms in Public Finance Management (PFM). It also assists in decentralisation efforts, strengthening local governance, financial management, and local taxation, alongside support for institutions tackling economic and financial crimes and fighting illicit financial flows linked to transnational organised crime and terrorism.
• Supporting Democratic Governance: the EU provides support for electoral reforms, legislative elections, and local electoral observation, ensuring citizen participation, media freedoms, and human rights. 
• Supporting Civil Society: the EU helps strengthen civil society, particularly youth, through targeted funding and partnerships, aiming to promote greater involvement of citizens in public action and support for democratic values.