Good news for the Malagasy population. Indeed, Africa50, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the OPEC Fund for International Development signed, Thursday September 26, 2024, a letter of intent with the government of Madagascar to increase the production capacity of bioethanol of the country. The letter, announced at the Africa50 General Shareholders’ Meeting in Antananarivo, aims to support the transformation of Madagascar’s energy landscape for the benefit of millions of people who rely on hazardous cooking fuels.
According to a press release issued for this purpose, the main signatories of the agreement are Olivier Jean Baptiste, Malagasy Minister of Energy and Hydrocarbons, Khaled Al-Zayer, director of the public sector of the OPEC Fund for South Africa. East and Southern Africa, Alain Ebobissé, Managing Director of Africa50, and Kevin Kariuki, Vice President of the African Development Bank Group for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth .
The partners intend to support the production and distribution of bioethanol in Madagascar by building and modernizing production infrastructure and strengthening supply chains in order to facilitate accessibility and availability for consumers. The program will improve access to clean cooking fuels, particularly in remote and underserved areas, and reduce reliance on polluting fuels, which contribute to adverse health and climate impacts.
Currently, 99% of the Malagasy population uses charcoal and wood for cooking, which contributes to rapid deforestation in the country. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), indoor air pollution, caused largely by the use of these harmful fuels, is the second leading cause of premature death in sub-Saharan Africa and is responsible for around 700 000 deaths per year, mainly among women and children under five.
Africa50 will act as prime contractor for the bioethanol production infrastructure, while the African Development Bank and the OPEC Fund will provide technical and financial assistance to the Malagasy government. This initiative is part of the broader efforts of Africa50 and the African Development Bank to mobilize innovative financing solutions to support the energy transition in Africa, reads the official document.
“The widespread use of harmful fuels in Madagascar has serious health, gender and climate impacts. We are proud to be part of this partnership, which will increase access to clean cooking fuels and help preserve the health and well-being of our citizens,” assured Minister Olivier Jean Baptiste.
“Supporting clean cooking is a key part of the OPEC Fund’s climate action strategy, as it encompasses crucial aspects of sustainable development. The introduction of clean, efficient and affordable cooking appliances will significantly improve public health, reduce adverse environmental impacts and promote women’s empowerment,” Mr. Al-Zayer insisted in the text.
“Africa50’s determination to improve access to clean cooking fuels in Africa by joining forces with like-minded partners to scale up investments in bioethanol infrastructure. We are pleased to be part of this partnership with the Government of Madagascar as part of broader efforts to develop critical infrastructure that will limit deforestation and climate change, while improving livelihoods,” Mr. Ebobissé.
“This is an important step to increase access to clean cooking fuels in Madagascar. Developing critical infrastructure that saves lives and positively impacts the climate is a key component of the African Development Bank’s investment strategy, and we are delighted to collaborate with Africa50, the OPEC Fund and the government of Madagascar to advance clean cooking in the country,” concluded Mr. Kariuki in the official press release.
Moctar FICOU / VivAfrik
