Digital Economy: GSMA says targeted reforms could bring 1.13 million more people online and add MGA 4.1 trillion to Madagascar’s GDP by 2031. Priorities include cheaper smartphones, rural network expansion, mobile-sector tax reform and stronger digital skills. Food and Trade: About 3.7 million people face acute food insecurity, including 426,000 in critical conditions. Poor harvests are pushing up food prices and rice imports, putting pressure on the trade balance and foreign-exchange reserves. Agriculture: Chinese-supported hybrid rice has been planted across 90,000 hectares, yielding an average 7.5 tonnes per hectare—two to three times traditional varieties—as Madagascar seeks to boost domestic food production. Workforce Development: Madagascar’s technical education ministry and Orange Madagascar will update vocational training and career pathways to match demand for digital skills.
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Food and Prices: Madagascar is among 22 countries facing the highest hunger risk, with 3.7 million people acutely food insecure. Drought has cut rice, cassava and maize harvests, pushing up prices and forcing more rice imports—straining the trade balance and foreign-exchange reserves. Digital Economy: GSMA estimates targeted reforms could connect 1.13 million more people to mobile internet and add MGA 4.1 trillion to GDP by 2031. Priorities include cheaper smartphones, rural networks, tax reform and digital services; Orange Madagascar has also partnered with the vocational education ministry to align digital training with employer needs. Agriculture: Chinese-supported hybrid rice has spread across 90,000 hectares, yielding about 7.5 tonnes per hectare—two to three times traditional varieties—offering a boost to domestic food production. Clean Energy: UK-backed funding for projects across eight African countries, including Madagascar, will support power for services such as healthcare, telecoms and small businesses.
Agriculture: Chinese hybrid rice has been planted across 90,000 hectares in Madagascar, averaging 7.5 tonnes per hectare—two to three times yields from traditional varieties—as farmers prepare for the rainy season. Digital Economy: GSMA says targeted reforms could connect 1.13 million more people to mobile internet and add MGA 4.1 trillion to GDP by 2031; priorities include cheaper smartphones, rural coverage, tax reform and digital services. Skills and Jobs: The government and Orange Madagascar are partnering to align vocational training with employers’ needs and expand digital career pathways for young people and women. Business Support: Canada’s TRISEG programme, covering Madagascar and seven other African countries, will support 200 SMEs with competitiveness, exports and digital transformation, with a focus on women-led businesses. Clean Energy: More than £2 million in UK-backed funding is supporting projects across eight African countries, including Madagascar, to expand reliable power for services, small businesses and communities. Entrepreneurship: Stanford’s Seed programme, introduced in Madagascar in 2022, provides business training and ongoing support to established companies seeking to grow.
Digital Skills: Orange Madagascar and the vocational training ministry are partnering to align digital courses with employers’ needs and expand young people’s access to jobs and entrepreneurship. Yas Madagascar has also opened a digital learning hub in Antsirabe. Mining: Madagascar has formalised Harena’s exploitation permit for the Ampasindava project, a notable step for the country’s mining sector. Trade: The government has launched a safeguard investigation into certain confectionery products, a move that could affect importers and local producers. Entrepreneurship: Stanford’s Seed programme is bringing business training and ongoing support to established Malagasy enterprises seeking to grow.
Digital Skills: Madagascar’s technical education ministry and Orange Madagascar have partnered to align vocational training with employers’ needs and expand young people’s access to digital jobs and entrepreneurship. Yas Madagascar has also opened a digital learning hub in Antsirabe. Enterprise: Stanford’s Seed programme is expanding in Madagascar, offering established businesses training and ongoing support to help them grow. The initiative has operated in the country since 2022. Trade: Madagascar has opened a safeguard investigation into certain confectionery imports, a move that could affect trade in the sector. Mining and Energy: The government has formalised Harena’s permit to exploit the Ampasindava deposit. Separately, reports say the state utility can bypass bidding rules to buy generators from Russia, raising questions about procurement and energy costs.
Digital Skills: Madagascar’s vocational training ministry and Orange Madagascar have partnered to build digital learning pathways tied to employers’ needs, with a focus on jobs and entrepreneurship for young people and women. Yas Madagascar has also opened a digital learning hub in Antsirabe. Mining: Madagascar has formalised Harena’s exploitation permit for the Ampasindava project, advancing a major resource development. Entrepreneurship: Stanford’s Seed programme is expanding business training and support for established Malagasy firms, aiming to help them grow and create economic opportunities. Trade: Madagascar has launched a safeguard investigation into imports of certain confectionery, a move that could affect market access for overseas suppliers. Energy Procurement: The state utility has been allowed to bypass competitive bidding to buy generators from Russia, raising questions about how the urgent power purchase will be handled.
Entrepreneurship: Stanford’s Seed programme is expanding in Madagascar, offering business training and ongoing support to help established companies grow. The initiative, launched locally in 2022, aims to help businesses create jobs and contribute to poverty reduction. Mining: Madagascar has formalised Harena’s exploitation permit for the Ampasindava project, a significant step for the company’s plans to develop the site. Energy: A report says the state utility can bypass normal bidding rules to buy generators from Russia, raising questions about procurement and the cost of securing electricity supply. Digital Skills: Yas Madagascar and Maison du Numérique have opened a learning hub in Antsirabe to help young people build digital skills for education and work. Trade: Madagascar has opened a safeguard investigation into certain confectionery imports, a move that could affect overseas suppliers and local producers.
Digital Skills: Yas Madagascar and Maison du Numérique opened a learning hub in Antsirabe to help young people build digital skills and prepare for jobs in the digital economy. Mining Investment: Madagascar formalised Harena Rare Earths’ Ampasindava exploitation permit, moving the project closer to a pilot phase backed by $4.84 million in US development finance. Environmental approvals are still needed before construction. Trade: Madagascar has launched a safeguard investigation into certain confectionery imports, a move that could affect importers and local producers. Energy Procurement: The state utility can reportedly bypass normal bidding rules to buy generators from Russia, as Madagascar deepens ties with Moscow. Investment: Gemcorp and the Fonds Souverain Malagasy announced a strategic partnership to support investment in the country.
Digital Economy: Yas Madagascar opened a digital learning hub in Antsirabe with Maison du Numérique, aiming to build young people’s skills for the digital economy. Business and Finance: Malagasy tycoon Mamy Ravatomanga was denied bail in Mauritius on Oct. 12; the money-laundering case involves about 7 billion rupees, or $150 million, in alleged assets. Mining: Madagascar formalised Harena’s exploitation permit for its Ampasindava rare-earth project. The company still needs environmental approval before construction, with a $4.84 million U.S. development-finance agreement backing a pilot phase. Trade: Madagascar has launched a safeguard investigation into certain confectionery imports, inviting affected businesses to submit comments and information. Currency: The ariary ranked Africa’s third-weakest currency in October, at 4,471 to the U.S. dollar. Energy Investment: Reports say the state utility can bypass bidding rules to buy generators from Russia, while Gemcorp and Fonds Souverain Malagasy have announced a partnership to support investment in Madagascar.
Ravatomanga Case: A Mauritius court denied Malagasy tycoon Mamy Ravatomanga bail, citing flight and evidence-tampering risks in a money-laundering investigation involving about $150 million. His lawyers plan to appeal. Mining Investment: Madagascar formalised Harena Rare Earths’ exploitation permit for its Ampasindava project. Construction still depends on environmental approvals; a US$4.84 million DFC agreement is set to support a pilot phase. Currency Pressure: The ariary ranks as Africa’s third-weakest currency in 2026, at 4,471 to the US dollar. Energy and Mining Finance: Gemcorp and the Fonds Souverain Malagasy announced a partnership to support investment in the sectors, as plans to raise $5 billion take shape. Poverty: Madagascar has 21.9 million people living in acute multidimensional poverty, placing it fourth among African countries in the latest UNDP index.
Mining: Madagascar formalised Harena Rare Earths’ exploitation permit for its Ampasindava project, bringing it closer to a pilot plant backed by US$4.84 million in US development funding. Environmental approvals are still needed before construction. Power: The government authorised Jirama to buy 18 Russian-made diesel generators without a tender, but disclosed neither the price nor capacity as the utility struggles with outages and financial pressure. Investment: Gemcorp and Fonds Souverain Malagasy announced a partnership to support investment in energy and mining, with a separate report putting fundraising ambitions at US$5 billion. Markets: The ariary was Africa’s third-weakest currency in 2026, at 4,471 to the US dollar. Energy transition: UK-backed clean-energy projects across eight African countries include Madagascar, supporting solutions such as solar cold storage and hybrid mini-grids. Agriculture: Researchers and producers are exploring biotechnology and other measures to revive Madagascar’s once-significant coffee industry.
Currency Watch: Madagascar’s ariary is Africa’s third-weakest currency in 2026, with 4,471 ariary to the US dollar, adding pressure to import costs and household budgets. Small Business: A Comorian law reserving grocery shops, street vending, hairdressing and other small trades for citizens by descent has Malagasy traders worried; about 20,000 Malagasy live in the archipelago, and many rely on the affected businesses. Power Supply: The government has let state utility Jirama skip normal tenders to buy 18 diesel generators from Russia’s Malmekhservice. The deal’s cost and capacity were not disclosed, as electricity shortages and Jirama’s financial strain persist. Investment: Gemcorp and Madagascar’s sovereign wealth fund have announced a partnership to raise $5 billion for energy and mining. Agriculture: Madagascar is seeking to revive its once-significant coffee industry, with biotechnology among the approaches under consideration. Clean Energy: UK-backed funding will support projects in Madagascar and seven other African countries, including efforts to replace diesel generators and improve reliable power for businesses and essential services.
Power Sector: Madagascar has authorised state utility Jirama to buy 18 diesel generators directly from Russia’s Malmekhservice, bypassing normal tenders. The deal comes as power shortages and Jirama’s financial strain persist; its value and the generators’ capacity have not been disclosed. Investment: Gemcorp and the Fonds Souverain Malagasy have announced a strategic partnership to support investment, with a separate report citing a $5 billion push focused on energy and mining. Agriculture: Madagascar is seeking to revive its coffee industry, once a major producer, with the government and growers looking to restore the sector’s contribution to the economy. Digital Economy: Yas Madagascar and Maison du Numérique have opened a digital learning hub in Antsirabe to help young people build skills for the digital economy. Connectivity: A reform agenda aims to turn Madagascar’s broad mobile coverage into more accessible internet, a key step in widening participation in digital services.
Energy Supply: Madagascar has authorized state utility Jirama to buy 18 diesel generators directly from Russia’s Malmekhservice, bypassing normal tenders. The deal’s value and capacity were not disclosed, as power shortages and Jirama’s financial strain persist. Investment: Gemcorp and Madagascar’s sovereign wealth fund have announced a strategic partnership to support investment; a related report says they aim to raise $5 billion for energy and mining. Digital Economy: Yas Madagascar and Maison du Numérique opened a digital learning hub in Antsirabe to build young people’s skills for the digital economy. Clean Energy: UK-backed funding for 10 projects across eight African countries includes Madagascar, supporting solutions such as solar-powered cold storage and hybrid mini-grids. Agriculture: The government and coffee growers are working to revive a sector that once produced up to 62,000 tonnes of coffee cherries a year, with research also exploring biotechnology’s role. Minerals: Madagascar is among five countries selected for a UN support programme offering policy and regulatory advice on critical energy-transition minerals. Business Travel: From August 1, routine US visa services in Antananarivo shifted to regional hubs; the embassy remains open.
Energy and Investment: Madagascar’s state utility Jirama can buy 18 diesel generators directly from Russia’s Malmekhservice, bypassing normal tenders. The deal’s cost and capacity were not disclosed, as power shortages continue to pressure households and businesses. Mining Finance: Gemcorp and Fonds Souverain Malagasy have announced a strategic investment partnership, with plans to raise $5 billion for energy and mining. Madagascar was also selected for a UN programme offering support to countries developing critical-mineral value chains. Coffee Revival: Madagascar is exploring biotechnology as it seeks to rebuild its once-significant coffee industry, with producers and the government looking to restore the sector’s economic contribution. Climate Risk: A strengthening El Niño raises drought concerns in famine-scarred southern Madagascar, threatening livelihoods and agricultural output. Business Travel: From August 1, routine US visa services in Antananarivo will move to regional hubs; the embassy remains open, but applicants will need to apply elsewhere.
Power Investment: Madagascar has authorised state utility Jirama to bypass normal tenders to buy 18 diesel generators from Russia’s Malmekhservice, as the government seeks to ease chronic power shortages. The deal’s cost and generator capacity have not been disclosed. Agriculture: The government and coffee growers are working to revive a sector that once produced up to 62,000 tonnes of cherries a year, with biotechnology among the approaches under consideration. Digital Economy: AXIAN Telecom’s STELLARIX named Ahmad Mokhles Aly El-Deen group CEO, overseeing data centres, cloud and other services across Madagascar, Senegal and Tanzania. Mining and Energy Finance: Gemcorp and the Fonds Souverain Malagasy have announced a strategic partnership to support investment, with a separate report pointing to plans to raise $5 billion for energy and mining. Madagascar has also been selected for UN support on critical-minerals policy and regulation. Currency and Climate: The ariary was the best-performing currency in a World Bank comparison of African exchange rates, while forecasts of a powerful El Niño raise drought risks for southern Madagascar and its farmers.
Power Supply: Madagascar has authorized state utility Jirama to buy 18 diesel generators directly from Russia’s Malmekhservice, bypassing normal tenders. The deal’s price and capacity were not disclosed, as power shortages and Jirama’s financial strain persist. Coffee Revival: The government and thousands of growers are seeking to rebuild Madagascar’s coffee industry, once a major African producer; biotechnology may help restore the sector’s economic contribution. Clean Energy: UK-backed funding will support projects in eight African countries, including Madagascar, targeting reliable power for businesses and essential services. Digital Economy: Yas Madagascar and Maison du Numérique opened a learning hub in Antsirabe to build young people’s digital skills. Investment: Gemcorp and the Fonds Souverain Malagasy announced a partnership to support investment, with energy and mining among the sectors highlighted. Economic Risks: Madagascar’s ariary was the best-performing currency among those tracked in a World Bank comparison, while a strengthening El Niño raises drought concerns for the famine-hit south.
Climate and Food Security: El Niño is strengthening and could persist through February, raising drought risks in southern Madagascar. Families are already facing hunger, while inflation and aid cuts add pressure on household budgets. Digital Infrastructure: AXIAN Telecom’s STELLARIX named Ahmad Mokhles Aly El-Deen group CEO, overseeing data centres, cloud and cybersecurity operations in Madagascar, Senegal and Tanzania. Investment: Gemcorp and the Fonds Souverain Malagasy agreed to develop projects in mining, energy and infrastructure, aiming to attract international capital; reports put the fundraising target at US$5 billion. Currency: Madagascar’s ariary was the best-performing currency among those tracked in a World Bank comparison of exchange-rate pressures since the Middle East conflict escalated.
Climate and Livelihoods: El Niño is expected to intensify toward a December peak, raising drought risks in southern Madagascar, where families are already facing hunger, inflation and cuts to aid. Investment: State sovereign fund FSM and Gemcorp have agreed to develop financing for strategic projects, with a focus on mining, energy and infrastructure. Digital Economy: AXIAN Telecom’s STELLARIX named Ahmad Mokhles Aly El-Deen group CEO, as it expands data centre, cloud and cybersecurity services across Madagascar, Senegal and Tanzania. Connectivity: Madagascar is pursuing reforms to turn broad mobile coverage into more accessible internet, a key step for businesses and consumers. Currency and Reserves: The ariary was the best-performing currency in a World Bank comparison of African exchange rates during recent market pressure; Madagascar’s central bank is also buying locally produced gold to build reserves and reduce outflows.
Currency: Madagascar’s ariary was the best-performing African currency in a World Bank comparison tracking exchange-rate movements since late February, despite broad pressure linked to the Middle East conflict. Investment: The Fonds Souverain Malagasy and Gemcorp have agreed to work together to attract capital for mining, energy and infrastructure, with a goal of raising up to $5 billion over four years. Food Security: Southern Madagascar is already facing hunger ahead of a forecast severe El Niño, as drought risk, inflation and cuts to international aid deepen pressure on vulnerable households. Energy: Madagascar has signed an agreement for the 120-megawatt Volobe Amont hydropower plant, a project that could add to the country’s power supply. Gold Reserves: The central bank is buying locally produced gold to strengthen reserves and reduce outflows.
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