Green initiative in Madagascar: Local entrepreneur turns Andapa into a cleaner, greener town with ecological charcoal

For most of us, turning on the stove to cook is so routine that we rarely stop to consider where our energy comes from. But in another part of the world in Madagascar, access to electricity or gas is neither common nor affordable.

In many rural areas, especially in and around Andapa, charcoal remains the most widely used cooking fuel. It's cheaper and more accessible than gas stoves or electric devices. For countless households, it’s not just a fuel but a livelihood.

But this dependence comes at a cost. Charcoal production is one of the main causes of deforestation. In the Boeny region, particularly near Ankarafantsika National Park, forest loss has reached alarming levels, which is up to 70%, according to Global Forest Watch. This has led to severe environmental consequences: degraded watersheds, soil erosion, and silted rice paddies that threaten food security and biodiversity.

Local communities have begun seeking solutions to tackle this urgent challenge. One of them is Rabenoely Olynca, a single woman from Andapa, who has stepped up with an innovative response: ecological charcoal.

Her project transforms agricultural waste into eco-friendly charcoal, reducing the need to cut down trees while creating a cleaner energy source. While traditional charcoal consumes 10 kg of wood to produce just 1 kg of fuel, ecological charcoal uses recycled materials, helping to reduce pollution, conserve biodiversity, and protect the forest habitat.

But the impact goes beyond. Rabenoely’s initiative is also empowering the local community. By creating jobs for women within her community, she’s fostering self-reliance and encouraging a collective shift toward sustainable energy sources.

Rabenoely plans to sell ecological charcoal to local households at an affordable price, providing clean energy and generating income to keep the project going. However, her current resources are limited.

She’s seeking a $500 grant to scale production, which is a small amount that could make a big difference, both for the environment and the local community in Andapa.

Would you like to be part of this grassroots energy revolution? Your support could help Rabenoely Olynca expand her ecological charcoal business, protect Madagascar’s forests, and empower more local women to lead change.

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