The first Steering Committee meeting of the FIER programme (Financement Intégré des Énergies duRables / Integrated Financing for Sustainable Energy) was held on March 7, 2025, in Mahajanga also known as the City of Flowers. Developed by the United Nations System in Madagascar, this joint initiative is being implemented by UNDP Madagascar, the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), and UNIDO Madagascar, with financial support from the Joint SDG Fund for 2025.
Presiding over this milestone event were His Excellency Mr. Olivier Jean-Baptiste, Minister of Energy and Hydrocarbons, and the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, representing the Minister. This high-level gathering provided a platform to assess the progress of the joint programme, analyze strategic directions, identify challenges and opportunities, and agree on key decisions to accelerate its implementation. It also marked a significant step forward in enhancing collaboration between technical and financial partners, including UN agencies, and national institutions such as the Presidency, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Ministry of Energy and Hydrocarbons and its affiliated agencies.
With a total budget of USD 8,748,560, the FIER programme aims to build an integrated financial system that supports both the public and private sectors in accelerating access to sustainable energy. It also seeks to transform the financial environment in Madagascar by offering technical assistance and facilitating investment in clean energy solutions. The majority of funding is provided by the Joint SDG Fund, amounting to USD 7,498,560, with co-financing from UNDP (USD 1,000,000), UNIDO (USD 170,000), and UNCDF (USD 100,000). National participation is coordinated across several ministries and agencies, ensuring strong local ownership and alignment with Madagascar’s development goals.
The programme is advancing on several strategic fronts. One of the key components is the establishment of a Sovereign Development Fund (FSM), which will enable the Government of Madagascar to financially support major energy programmes. Technical assistance is already being provided to set up the FSM's governance framework. A board of directors is in place, and an international consulting firm has been engaged to draft a procedures manual, with a preliminary diagnostic report already available to guide the next steps.
Another major initiative is the Derisking Facility, designed to support private-sector-led sustainable energy programmes by mitigating financial risks. In response to a recent call for expressions of interest, several companies applied, and a selected group was chosen based on their eligibility and innovative energy proposals, including solar, hydroelectric, and clean cooking technologies.
The programme also nurtures innovation through the Sustainable Energy Incubator. A group of team members, including several women, received specialized training from GIZ, the German development agency dedicated to international cooperation and sustainable development, to strengthen their skills in electrification and programme development. The first cohort of startups and small businesses has already been launched, featuring a number of women-led and youth-led enterprises. These businesses are developing innovative programmes such as solar-powered tricycles, biogas production units, solar mini-grids, eco-friendly charcoal, and clean cooking technologies. Their operations are spread across multiple regions, including Analamanga, Vakinankaratra, Atsimo Andrefana, Boeny, Diana, Atsinanana, and Haute Matsiatra.
This first Steering Committee meeting set the tone for continued collaboration and coordination among all stakeholders. Discussions focused on evaluating strategic progress, tackling implementation challenges, and identifying immediate priorities. All participants reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Madagascar’s energy transition and making clean, sustainable, and affordable energy accessible to all.
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All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and our private sector funding partners, for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
