Madagascar stands at a historic energy crossroads. With only 36% of its population having access to reliable electricity, the island ranks among the world's least electrified countries. Two complementary programmes — one led by the World Bank, the other by American firm Sun King — are now joining forces: a combined total of nearly $300 million is being mobilised to connect millions of Malagasy people by 2030.
The ASCENT programme: $250 million, 2.5 million beneficiaries
The World Bank launched the ASCENT programme, backed by $250 million, with a clear objective: to provide reliable and affordable electricity to more than 2.5 million people by 2030. In concrete terms: 200,000 new urban and peri-urban connections (approximately 1 million direct beneficiaries), 30 solar hybrid power plants with battery storage systems, and 312,500 new off-grid connections for an additional 1.5 million rural inhabitants. A further 1.5 million improved cookstoves will also be distributed — a measure with immediate health and environmental benefits.
ASCENT is the first Program for Results (PforR) implemented in Madagascar: disbursements are directly tied to measurable results on the ground, rather than contractual commitments alone.
Sun King launches MBalik: $50 million and the pay-as-you-go model
Simultaneously, Sun King, one of the world's leading off-grid solar energy providers, has launched operations in Madagascar in partnership with Yas Madagascar for exclusive distribution under the MBalik brand. The company plans to invest up to $50 million by 2030, delivering 1.5 million new electrical connections, reaching approximately 7.5 million Malagasy people in rural areas and creating 1,000 jobs over five years. The model is built on pay-as-you-go instalment payments, reducing entry costs for lower-income households — an approach that has proven effective in other African markets.
Mission 300: the 80% target for 2030
Both initiatives fall within the framework of Mission 300, a joint World Bank and African Development Bank programme targeting universal electricity access for 300 million Africans by 2030. Madagascar has committed, under this framework, to reaching 80% national electrification by 2030 — up from just 36% today. An ambitious goal, now backed by concrete financing and results-based mechanisms.
Why it matters
Energy is the prerequisite for any industrialisation, for the competitiveness of local businesses, and for attracting foreign investment. Without reliable electricity, agro-food processing projects, textile factories and data centres simply cannot function. By mobilising $300 million, Madagascar is sending a clear signal to the regional business community: the island is ready to take its place in the Indian Ocean's race for economic emergence.
Sources: World Bank / ASCENT Madagascar (press release May 2026), Madagascar News Room, World Bank Blog.