Meta 2Africa cable arrives in Majunga
The 2Africa submarine optical cable, funded by Meta, the parent company of Facebook, was connected at the end of February in Madagascar, at Majunga. Nowadays, 2Africa is the longest cable in the world (45,000 kilometers). Leaving Great Britain, it goes around Africa and goes up through the Red Sea before crossing the Mediterranean, to Marseille. It will be operational in August for East Africa and Madagascar and in 2024 for West Africa. This is the fourth submarine cable to connect the Big Island to the rest of the world, after Leo, Eassy and Métiss. According to the operator Telma, thanks to 2Africa, more than 80% of the country's internet connectivity will pass through Majunga over the next five years.
Ores in shape, vanilla broken down
Madagascar's foreign trade experienced mixed fortunes in 2022. Exports of goods jumped 31% in the past year, which saw the recovery of part of the losses linked to the health crisis. Companies in free zones saw their export volumes increase by 9%, and their recipes of 2,9 %, according to the Central Bank. The increase in the price of nickel and the volumes of cobalt shipped have strengthened the share of minerals in Malagasy exports. Vanilla exports, on the other hand, fell by 10%., at 2,268 tonnes, with an average price stable at 250 dollars per kilo.
A solar power plant in Antalaha
A photovoltaic power plant with a capacity of 1,8 megawatt-peak came into service in January in Antalaha, on the northeast coast of Madagascar. Built by the French group Green Yellow in partnership with the Malagasy group Axian, it will be able to produce 3 gigawatts each year which will be injected into the network. United within Green Energy Solution, Green Yellow and Axian have already commissioned two solar power plants in the region, in Vohémar and Sambava, as well as another in Morondava, on the west coast.
The dividends of shrimp
Madagascar exported 3,332 tonnes of shrimp in 2022, activity which generated more than 13 billion ariary (environ 2,9 million dollars) revenue for the state. The next fishing season will open on March 1 for day fishing and April 14 for industrial night fishing.. The Malagasy authorities are trying to enforce a two-month cessation of activity to allow the species to recover. The reputation of Malagasy shellfish, particularly in European markets, also comes from the quality of farmed shrimp, in west coast aquaculture establishments.
