World Bank Pledges $225 Million to Boost Madagascar Urban Resilience

The Integrated Urban Development and Resilience Project for Jobs, or PRODUIRE2, targets the country’s most vulnerable urban centers. In Toamasina, where Cyclone Gezani destroyed 70% of local homes, the initiative will prioritize the reconstruction of climate-resilient housing and the restoration of critical facilities, such as the University of Barikadimy. Meanwhile, Antananarivo will see extensive upgrades to drainage networks and waste management, including improvements to the Canal C3 ter and C3 bis systems to mitigate seasonal flooding.

Beyond physical construction, the project tackles the systemic issue of insecure property rights. Nearly half of Antananarivo’s land currently lacks formal titles, stifling economic growth. By digitizing administration and streamlining registration, the government aims to issue documentation for 50,000 properties by 2032. The program mandates that at least 40% of these new titles include women as sole or joint holders, a move intended to bolster gender inclusion in land ownership. Dr. Herinjatovo Ramiarison, Minister of Economy and Finance, noted that these structural improvements are essential for fostering safer neighborhoods and long-term private investment. Backed by technical support from the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery and Japan’s Quality Infrastructure Investment Partnership, the project seeks to provide 1.5 million residents with more stable, climate-proof urban environments.