In 2022, Madagascar’s electricity consumption was just 87 kWh per person, compared with a global average of 3,794 kWh—about 44 times higher. Fossil fuels supplied 1.71 TWh of electricity, accounting for roughly two-thirds of the total, while low-carbon sources supplied about one-third, or 31 kWh per person. Such limited electricity availability can constrain healthcare, education, refrigeration and business activity, while making it harder to expand industry and electrify everyday services. Increasing clean electricity generation would help address these needs while limiting the air pollution and climate impacts associated with fossil fuels.

Is Electricity Growing in Madagascar?

Electricity consumption per person in Madagascar is stagnating rather than setting new records. The 2022 figure of 87 kWh was slightly below the previous peak of 88 kWh in 2019. Low-carbon electricity generation per person was also below its historical high: 31 kWh in 2022, compared with 38 kWh in 2015—a shortfall of roughly one-fifth. These figures do not establish whether total national electricity generation increased, but they show that electricity availability per person has failed to advance beyond earlier peaks. That is concerning given the need to improve access and meet future demand from electrification and digital services.

Suggestions

Madagascar should prioritize expanding solar electricity alongside grid upgrades, storage and local electricity networks. Relevant examples include South Africa, with about 20 TWh of solar generation, and India, with about 205 TWh: both offer useful experience in deploying solar at scale, although their electricity systems are much larger. Wind could complement solar where local resource assessments support it; South Africa generates about 12 TWh from wind. Madagascar should also consider nuclear electricity within its long-term planning, supported by assessments of future demand, grid development, financing and institutional readiness. South Africa’s approximately 12 TWh of nuclear generation provides an African reference, while France’s roughly 376 TWh demonstrates nuclear’s potential to supply large quantities of dependable low-carbon electricity.

History

The supplied history shows Madagascar’s low-carbon electricity development centered on hydro, with modest gains followed by repeated setbacks. Hydro generation rose by 0.1 TWh in each of two listed years in the 1980s and two in the 1990s. Further increases of the same size occurred in 2003 and 2007, while 2000 and 2009 recorded no change. Growth became more consistent from 2012 through 2015, with annual gains of 0.1 TWh. However, declines in 2016 and 2017 were followed by a 0.2 TWh rebound in 2018, then renewed losses in 2019 and 2020. Hydro generation was unchanged in 2021 and 2022, and solar also recorded no increase in 2022. This recent stagnation underscores the need for sustained investment in additional clean electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade