Madagascar communities seek self-reliance after coastal project ends
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In Antsiranana, Madagascar, ten groups from coastal communities, primarily women, showcased their products at a Blue Entrepreneurship Fair marking the end of the ReSea project.
ReSea, funded by the Canadian government and part of the Great Blue Wall initiative, worked with coastal communities in Madagascar and several other Indian Ocean and East African countries.
The project supported groups involved in the blue economy, including fisheries, crab farming, and shrimp processing, helping them to add value to local resources with products like “Laoko sira” and “makamba rano”. The fair aimed to connect these groups with buyers, financial institutions, and authorities to secure new markets and strengthen their businesses. ReSea focused on moving communities from being project beneficiaries to being active participants in their own development by providing equipment, training, and support.
Sara Emery, ReSea program manager for Madagascar and the Comoros, noted that the near-total sale of products at the fair signaled a positive start for these communities. The long-term success of the initiative will depend on the groups' ability to maintain momentum, expand their reach, secure funding, and achieve economic independence after the project’s official conclusion.
