Madagascar faces severe urban WASH challenges, including rapid city growth, fragile infrastructure, and climate risks. Over the past year, WSUP has driven systemic transformation, achieving measurable progress in institutional strengthening, WASH service expansion, and the integration of the circular economy.
WSUP’s approach is built on partnerships with utilities and municipalities to institutionalise pro-poor and climate-resilient WASH within public systems. In Antananarivo, Mahajanga, and Toliara, we collaborated with local governments and the national utility, JIRAMA, to co-develop joint action plans that integrated water, sanitation, waste, and hygiene priorities.
Our work with JIRAMA strengthened their capacity to manage non-revenue water, resulting in over six million cubic meters of water saved and the extension of services to previously under-served low-income neighbourhoods through the installation of 780 community facilities, which are continuing to provide vital water and sanitation services.
We have scaled up the circular sanitation economy model through local enterprises known as RF2s, which provide pit-emptying, waste collection, and canal cleaning services. With WSUP’s business and technical training, 26 RF2s are now formalised service providers, collectively reaching more than 55,000 residents. Their shift from donor-funded initiatives to viable local businesses demonstrates WSUP’s focus on market-based, self-sustaining WASH systems that generate jobs and local ownership.
Circular economy training has equipped entrepreneurs to transform waste into reusable products such as compost, ecological charcoal, and liquid soap, creating new income streams while reducing environmental impact.
In the last year, we delivered climate-resilient, inclusive WASH facilities to 21 schools, benefiting nearly 20,000 students and teachers. These facilities integrate menstrual hygiene management, disability access, and rainwater harvesting, and embed circular economy principles.
Looking ahead, WSUP Madagascar will focus on three interconnected pillars: scaling proven models, enhancing climate resilience, and securing long-term financial sustainability. This will involve expanding delegated service models and formalised RF2 sanitation enterprises into new cities and regions for commune-wide coverage.