As part of the Africa Minigrids Program’s (AMP) commitment to peer learning and regional cooperation, AMP teams from Comoros and Madagascar came together in late May 2025 for a dynamic study tour focused on accelerating access to sustainable energy. During a 10-day official visit, the exchange offered a rare opportunity for on-the-ground learning about minigrid implementation, going far beyond what typical technical forums can provide.
Led by Mr. Saïd Mohamed Nassur, Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy in Comoros, the visiting delegation was warmly welcomed in Madagascar. They were hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Hydrocarbons (MEH) and received by His Excellency Olivier Jean-Baptiste, Minister of Energy and Hydrocarbons.
The exchange focused on four key topics essential to scaling minigrids in Africa:
- Regulatory frameworks
- Private sector engagement
- The role of national institutions
- Community impact and rural electrification outcomes
A highlight of the visit was the chance to engage directly with Malagasy energy actors, both in government and on project sites, providing the Comorian delegation with invaluable insights into Madagascar’s experience developing minigrids powered by solar and hydropower technologies.
A Comorian Perspective On Energy Cooperation
1) Private Sector Commitment
One of the most striking observations made by AMP Comoros from the mission to Madagascar was the active involvement of numerous private Malagasy companies in minigrid development and management. This level of private sector engagement demonstrated that the minigrid sector can become dynamic and attractive, even in the context of small island economies. For Comoros, this serves as a strong signal that its own private sector has the potential to grow and play a leading role in the energy transition, provided that enabling conditions are in place, and concrete progress is already underway. The Madagascan company ANKA has shown interest in forming a partnership with a Comorian company as part of the rollout of three pilot minigrid sites. This emerging collaboration illustrates the real added value of regional missions, not just as platforms for exchanging ideas, but as catalysts for actionable, cross-border partnerships that can accelerate implementation on the ground.
“What particularly struck me about Madagascar’s approach was the way in which the government has succeeded in establishing a climate of trust with private operators. Through a stable regulatory framework, transparent procedures and the establishment of a one-stop shop for electrification projects, Madagascar is succeeding in attracting private investment in a sector long perceived as risky,” noted Farida Ahmed Karim, AMP Comoros Project Coordinator,“The Rural Electrification Development Agency (ADER) plays a key role in this dynamic, facilitating relations between public and private players, while ensuring rigorous monitoring. This approach could inspire the Comoros, in particular by strengthening the skills of the Directorate General for Energy, in order to create an environment more conducive to investment.”
2) Learning from Real-World Implementation
For AMP Comoros, visiting operational minigrid sites was especially insightful. Seeing the infrastructure in use, observing how communities interacted with it, and speaking directly with operators provided a deeper understanding than reports or presentations could offer. Important technical issues such as managing connection requests, maintaining equipment, coordinating between local communes and minigrid operators, and setting local tariffs became much more concrete through direct observation. Feedback from local beneficiaries also helped AMP Comoros assess the social impact of these projects. It reinforced the importance of adopting a community-centered approach from the design phase to ensure the long-term success and acceptance of minigrid systems.
3) Peer Exchange and Regional Cooperation
The mission marked a first-of-its-kind exchange within the AMP regional context. It enabled participants to engage in direct, experience-based dialogue with peers facing similar challenges in the minigrid sector. This grounded and practical form of learning offered valuable insights that cannot easily be gained from documents or presentations alone. The visit inspired several ideas for future collaboration, including sharing business models, improving procurement processes, and strengthening implementation monitoring. The experience highlighted the potential value of continued peer dialogue and regional cooperation in supporting energy access goals across island contexts.
Insights to Inform Action in Comoros
For Comoros, the visit also specifically offered concrete takeaways on sustainable financing, innovation, and energy system improvements that could inform the country’s energy transition.
Madagascar’s experience highlighted the importance of establishing a clear legal and regulatory framework to attract private investment. Its approach has emphasized self-financing and a gradual liberalization of the minigrid sector, enabling the participation of more than 30 private companies. This example may serve as a useful reference point for Comoros as it seeks to expand private sector involvement.
Efforts in Madagascar to promote innovation include workforce training, benchmarking, technology transfer, and collaboration with solution providers. Public outreach and consumer education are also helping to build support for energy efficiency and strengthen demand-side engagement.
These initiatives offer valuable lessons as Comoros advances its own minigrid development, particularly through the M300 initiative. Looking ahead, coordinated support from regional and international partners could provide strategic momentum. A partnership-based approach, including collaboration through AMP and alignment with the World Bank, may help accelerate progress. Development partners with strong implementation capacity, such as UNDP, can contribute to timely delivery and reinforce donor confidence, while ensuring coherence across activities.
So What’s Next? Future Prospects
Building on lessons learned, several concrete opportunities are emerging to strengthen the momentum of the AMP in Comoros and the region. A key next step is to formalize a partnership between the MEH, its technical partners, and their Comorian counterparts. This partnership would focus on a comprehensive capacity-building plan covering technical, institutional, regulatory, and community levels.
The overarching goal remains the deployment of an efficient network of renewable energy minigrids that explore diverse management models while ensuring economic viability. Strengthening public and private bilateral cooperation through technical workshops, cross-visits, and joint projects will be essential to achieve this.
On a broader scale, implementing an integrated electrification strategy is critical. This strategy must combine targeted subsidies, effective regulation, strategic private sector partnerships, and mixed financing. Promoting women’s entrepreneurship and economic activities that sustain energy demand is also vital to ensure infrastructure sustainability and local ownership.
The mission concluded with a joint reflection session where both Malagasy and Comorian teams recognized ongoing challenges but also celebrated notable progress and success stories. The Malagasy government reaffirmed its commitment to doubling the national electrification rate by 2030, aligning closely with AMP’s mission to expand clean energy access in underserved communities.
From technical dialogue to cultural solidarity, this exchange underscored the power of South-South cooperation in advancing sustainable, community-centered development.
Want to learn more about Comoros’s energy journey? Explore how Comoros is bringing sustainable electricity to three communities through minigrids tailored to local energy needs and economic activities.