20th March 2025, Antananarivo, Madagascar
AFREC Hosts Consultative Workshop on National Deep Decarbonisation Pathways in Madagascar as Part of Africa’s Energy Transition Strategy
The three days consultations (March 17–19, 2025), engaged over fifty key stakeholders from government ministries, public institutions, development partners, the private sector, academia, and civil society organisations. The purpose was to deliberate on Madagascar’s tailored decarbonisation pathway developed using state-of-the-art energy system modelling tools to support evidence-based policymaking.
Madagascar is one of three pilot countries being supported under the Africa Energy Transition Programme (AFRETRAP)—alongside Botswana and The Gambia—for the implementation of country-level pathways. aligned with the African Union’s (AU) vision of sustainable, low-carbon energy development. This follows the conclusion of the African Energy Transition Strategy and Action Plan (ESTAP), which is set to be validated on April 24, 2025. The ESTAP emphasizes the need for sustainable exploitation, management, and utilization of Africa’s natural resources. The goal is to accelerate Africa’s just and inclusive transition to a sustainable and low carbon energy system as a means of socio-economic transformation.
In his opening address, Mr. Charles Randrianirina Erised, Director of Energy Information Systems at the Ministry of Energy and Hydrocarbons, emphasised Madagascar’s commitment to sustainable energy policies, aligning with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the Paris Agreement. “Our inclusion as a pilot country demonstrates our commitment to sustainable energy development. This consultative workshop underscores our dedication to creating a robust, low-carbon energy system that supports inclusive economic growth while addressing climate change,” he stated.
The workshop featured detailed presentations on scenario modelling, including preliminary baseline assessments and proposed sector-specific decarbonisation measures. Key sectors under review include electricity, transport, industry, oil & gas, agriculture, clean cooking, and buildings.
Executive Director of AFREC, Mr. Rashid Abdallah highlighted the role of Madagascar in Africa’s decarbonisation efforts, stating: “Despite contributing less than 5% of global emissions, Africa remains highly vulnerable to climate impacts. This initiative, rooted in Africa’s Common Position on Energy Access and Just Transition, provides a critical opportunity to redefine the continent’s energy landscape. Our energy transition must leverage Africa’s abundant renewable resources while addressing the challenges of energy access and economic development. Madagascar’s NDDP is key to achieving this balance.”
Throughout the programme, stakeholders engaged in constructive dialogue on formulating concrete measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, identifying investment-ready opportunities aligned with Madagascar’s development goals, and strengthening capacity-building efforts and institutional frameworks for implementing decarbonisation policies.
The workshop concluded with a strong consensus on the need for a collaborative, data-driven, and context-specific approaches to advance Madagascar’s energy transition agenda. AFREC, AfDB, and Madagascar’s Ministry of Energy and Hydrocarbons reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the next phases of the NDDP implementation.
Notes to Editor:
This project is being undertaken by the African Energy Commission (AFREC) with support from African Development Bank (AfDB) and is anchored in the African Energy Transition Programme (AFRETRAP), the convention that establishes AFREC as a specialized energy agency of the African Union Commission. Among AFREC’s responsibilities is to support African Union Member States in the development of energy policies, creating and updating African Energy Statistics, mobilising technical and financial support and carrying out capacity building initiatives.
For more information, please contact:
Executive Director | African Energy Commission (AFREC) | African Union |
email: afrec@africaunion.org | Tel: +213 23 45 9198 | http://www.au-afrec.org | Algiers | Algeria | Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
Nickson Bukachi | Senior Policy Officer | African Energy Commission (AFREC) | African Union | Email: afrec@africaunion.org | Tel: +213 23 45 9198 | http://www.au-afrec.org | Algiers | Algeria | Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn