- UNIDO and Ofid are strengthening their partnership for the energy transition in Madagascar.
- The two organizations are providing $1.5 million for the implementation of a program to provide access to clean cooking.
A joint declaration was signed by the Opec Fund for International Development (OFID) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to strengthen their collaboration in order to guarantee access to energy and advance the energy transition. The initial recipient of this partnership’s $1.5 million funding is the major island.
The grant’s goal is to technically help Madagascar’s Clean Cooker Transition Program Madagascar’s Clean Cooker Transition Program technically. Additionally, comprehensive research and program pilot initiatives will be supported by the funds. “As a first step, UNIDO is working with Ofid to expand the use of clean fuels and technologies to improve the health and living conditions of communities in Madagascar.” explains Gerd Müller, UNIDO’s Executive Direct
He claims that in addition to developing a monitoring and evaluation framework, UNIDO and the program partners would also measure and implement the results of development. Other African nations looking to speed up access to clean cooking could adopt such a program.
The Cleaner Cooking Transition Program, started by the Malagasy government, attempts to encourage more ecologically friendly cooking by utilizing clean coal, biogas, ethanol, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Government estimates claim that by 2030, the program will make it possible for 55% of Malagasy homes to install upgraded stoves.
8.2 million tons of wood are also anticipated to be saved by this transformation. Tananarive plans to rehabilitate 500,000 hectares of logged-out forest by 2030 in addition to funding clean cooking. With a loan of $36.5 million, OFID is backing this big commitment. According to official data, one of the main factors contributing to the destruction and deforestation of the big island’s natural forests, whose area has decreased from 9.4 million hectares in 2005 to 9.2 million hectares in 2010, a decline of nearly 40,000 hectares per year, is the improper use of wood for energy.