Regional forum on research and innovation : Turning waste into renewable energy

On January 28 and 29, 2025, Antananarivo will host the first edition of the Regional Forum on Research and Innovation, organized within the framework of the TWENex project. This event, supported by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and funded by the European Union, brings together key regional actors to promote sustainable waste management and the transition to renewable energy.

Madagascar is set to experience a historic moment with the first Regional Forum on Research and Innovation on January 28 and 29, 2025. Held at the Ambohitsaina Library in Antananarivo, this event is part of the TWENex project, an initiative aimed at turning waste into renewable energy. Supported by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) and the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC), this project benefits from the financial support of the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OEACP) and the European Union (EU).

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD) and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESUPRES), this forum brings together a multitude of regional actors: researchers, academics, representatives from the public and private sectors, as well as members of civil society. According to the official statement, the goal is twofold: to promote research and innovation in the Indian Ocean and to encourage integrated and sustainable resource management through waste-to-energy conversion.

In Madagascar, the TWENex project is already taking shape. A living lab has been established in Alakamisy Fénoarivo, producing biogas and eco-friendly charcoal briquettes from household waste from four surrounding communes. In Tamatave, a production unit transforms industrial fruit waste into ethanol and biochar. These initiatives create local jobs and provide ecological alternatives to the use of wood energy, directly benefiting local populations.

The MEDD, in collaboration with the Bureau of Standards of Madagascar and with the support of AIDES Développement, has recently validated a standard for eco-friendly charcoal production. This standard, which will soon be disseminated, will serve as a reference for promoters and open the door to international markets. An implementation decree is also being prepared to regulate this activity at the national level.

« This forum represents a unique opportunity to strengthen regional collaborations and attract new technical and financial partners », announced Max Fontaine, Minister of Environment. At the end of these two days, the hope is to see concrete solutions emerge to address waste and climate change challenges, while creating green jobs. In the longer term, the goal is to replicate the project nationwide, subject to additional funding.

With TWENex, waste is no longer a problem but a valuable resource, perfectly embodying the concept of a circular economy. The Big Island and its regional partners are leading the way towards a more sustainable and innovative future.