Rija Ranaivoarison

Rija Ranaivoarison is the Executive Director of the Fondation pour les Aires Protégées et la Biodiversité de Madagascar (FAPBM), the largest environmental trust fund in Africa dedicated to biodiversity. He leads the management of an endowment of over USD 169 million, financing 75 protected areas covering nearly six million hectares across Madagascar.

With extensive experience in conservation finance, ecosystem valuation, and sustainable development, Rija has spearheaded major initiatives linking biodiversity protection with climate resilience and community well-being. He engages with international partners—including the European Union, KfW, Hempel Foundation, and global private investors—to expand innovative financing mechanisms such as carbon markets, green bonds, and community-based funds.

At the national level, he drives institutional modernization, governance reform, and digital transformation of FAPBM to ensure transparency, efficiency, and greater impact for both biodiversity and local communities. His leadership is anchored in a vision of making conservation a driver of sustainable and inclusive development for Madagascar.