Jirama ( Jiro sy rano malagasy) is a state-owned electric utility and water services company in Madagascar.

JIRAMA (Jiro sy rano malagasy)
Company typeSociété anonyme
IndustryElectric utility - Water supply
Founded1975
Headquarters,
Area served
Madagascar
Key people
Ron Weiss (director)
ProductsElectricity generation, transmission and distribution; Water supply
Revenue274.88 billion Ariary(2007)[1]
25 80 billion Ariary (2007)
Total equity17,53 billion Ariary
Websitewww.jirama.mg

History

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The Jirama was established on 17 October 1975 when the Société Malagasy des Eaux et Electricité and the Société des Energies de Madagascar merged. Up until 1999, it was the only state-owned electricity company of the country. After 1999, the Jirama maintained its monopoly on transportation and distribution networks.[2]

In 2007, when Antananrivo's Mayor Andry Rajoelina took office, the city's treasury had a debt of 8.2 billion Malagasy Ariary (approximately 4.6 million U.S. dollars).[3] On 4 January 2008, because of unpaid debts to the Jirama, the city of Antananarivo was hit by a general water cutoff and brownouts of the city's street lights. After an audit, it was found that the Jirama owed about the same amount of money to the city.[4]

In 2008, thanks to the launch of a new thermal power plant in Mandroseza, the Jirama was able to service 2,000 additional consumers in Antananarivo.[5] but the shortages persist.[6] According to an IMF report published in March 2018, the Jirama's financial difficulties are a major burden for the Malagasy economy.[7] In June 2018, the Jirama was considering a rehabilitation of its electricity distribution network[8][9] but in 2023 the company continues to struggle. In December 2022 another case of corruption was revealed[10] and during the years of 2020 to 2022 the deficit continued to increase from 2.520 Billion Ariary to 3.353 billion Ariary.[11]

Activities

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Headquartered in Antananarivo, the Jirama serves 340,000 clients for electricity in 114 localities and 65 water distribution centres. The Jirama is 100% owned by the government of Madagascar.[2]

Plants

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Power station in Antananarivo

Energy

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Madagascar has high photovoltaic power potential.

As of 2018, only 15% of the population of Madagascar has access to electricity.[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ (in French) Jirama.mg - Finance Archived 2020-02-24 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ a b "Historique". Jirama.mg (in French). Archived from the original on 7 March 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  3. ^ Randria, N. (22 December 2007). "Andry Rajoelina hérite de 41 milliards fmg de dettes". Madagascar Tribune (in French). Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  4. ^ Randria, N. (7 January 2008). "La CUA et les coupures d'eau et d'électricité: Antananarivo est-elle sanctionnée?". Madagascar Tribune (in French). Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  5. ^ "2 000 nouveaux branchements électriques à effectuer". Madagascar-tribune.com (in French). 7 June 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  6. ^ "Coupure d'éléctricité : la Jirama annonce un retour à la normale en fin de semaine - mardi 6 juin 2023". Archived from the original on 2023-10-04. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  7. ^ Nelly Fualdes (28 March 2018). "Madagascar : la Jirama, le fardeau des finances publiques ?". Jeuneafrique.com (in French). Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  8. ^ "Madagascar: JIRAMA to rehabilitate its electricity distribution networks". Esi-africa.com. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  9. ^ Le Matin de Madagascar: Panne générale à Mahajanga - Jirama ne cesse de se dégrader
  10. ^ Madagascar: une affaire de détournements de fonds secoue la compagnie nationale d'électricité - 01.12.2022
  11. ^ Jirama: Lours passifs l'Exercise 2022
  12. ^ "The Force of the Sun: Madagascar Embarks on Renewable Energy Production". World Bank. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
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