Madagascar

Tourism resumption confirmed

The latest figures for Malagasy tourist numbers confirm the recovery of the sector, which, however, has not yet returned to the level before the health crisis. At least August, the Big Island welcomed nearly 24,000 external visitors, a little more than in August 2023, but less than in August 2019 (27,000 arrivals).
In the field of air transport, despite the withdrawal of the Malagasy company from the long-haul activity, traffic also shows a slight increase. Madagascar's civil aviation recorded 126,000 passengers in July (+3% compared to 2023).

Agreements with Air France

The Madagascar National Tourist Office (ONTM) signed with Air France, on September 20 in Paris on the sidelines of the Top Resa tourist fair, a partnership agreement relating to the promotion of the Malagasy destination. Air France, which operates a marketing agreement with Madagascar Airlines, obtained authorization to sell tickets on the domestic network operated by Tsaradia, in the continuity of its Paris-Antananarivo flights from October 1. Passengers who do not stop in the Malagasy capital can check their luggage to the final destination. The two companies have also committed to better coordinating their schedules in order to facilitate connections.

A loan to spread clean cooking

The OPEC Fund for International Development (Sorrow) signed a $35 million loan agreement with Madagascar at the end of September to disseminate clean cooking solutions, as part of the Smart Clean Cooking project. To cook their food, the Malagasy people massively use charcoal and wood, while the country's forests are dangerously regressing. On the other hand, the use of traditional stoves inside homes causes 17,000 deaths each year on the Big Island.

Real estate : Filatex s’allie à Paddy Propco/Century 21.

Stéphane Paddy, president of Paddy Propco/Century 21 and Hasnaine Yavarhoussen, director of the Malagasy group Filatex, signed an agreement at the end of September relating to the design of new real estate projects, marketing and real estate management on the Big Island. Residential and commercial real estate and industrial zones constitute one of Filatex's main activities., with energy production and equity investments in impact projects. The main axes of the partnership relating to the marketing of Filatex real estate projects, joint development of new projects, joint investments and real estate management of constructed assets.

Mobile Internet penetration is accelerating

The number of mobile Internet subscribers increased from 4,8 million in 2022 to 9,6 million in 2023 in Madagascar, according to the Malagasy Communication Technologies Regulatory Authority (Artec). This near doubling is accompanied by a strong increase in the mobile penetration rate, which exceeds 79% at the end of 2023, compared to 68% a year earlier. The gradual deployment of 4G is accompanied by a 49% increase in mobile Internet traffic.
The number of Malagasy fixed Internet subscribers has increased by nearly 19% in 2023.. According to Artec, the digital sector generated a turnover of 1,7 milliard d’ariarys (approximately $379 million) in 2023, an increase of 12% compared to the previous year. Without surprise, landline use has declined sharply over the past decade. To make their international calls, at prohibitive prices, Malagasy people now massively use online solutions.

Antananarivo lacks water

The shortage of drinking water reached a worrying level, mid-October in Antananarivo. In the crowded capital, the water supply would only meet two thirds of needs, and the situation worsens as the dry season advances and the rains delay in the Highlands. The obsolescence of the networks would also result in a loss of 20% of treated water.. The discontent of the population is growing and is reflected in street demonstrations and traffic blockages using plastic cans that Tananarivians are no longer able to fill at dry standpipes.. To stop the discontent, a ministerial decree was issued on October 9 to prohibit “non-vital uses of water”. People caught high-pressure washing their vehicles or watering their lawn now face a fine of 100 euros.
Called for help, the World Bank has offered the country several tank trucks and will provide emergency generators to avoid the shutdown of pumping stations during power supply cuts, another daily scourge in Madagascar.