AGP Executive Report

Fuel Costs: Madagascar recorded a slight diesel price decrease in October, a modest easing for transport operators, farmers and businesses. Russia Ties: Reports say Russia has begun recruiting Malagasy nationals for its war in Ukraine, amid allegations of deceptive recruitment and trafficking. President Michaël Randrianirina is due to meet Vladimir Putin at the Russia–Africa summit, while Madagascar’s ministers are being urged to learn Russian. Anti-Corruption: The president has ordered ministers to explain their anti-corruption efforts on national television, while corruption cases involving a former president and officials have reportedly been suspended. Business: Billionaire Ylias Akbaraly’s Thomson Broadcast is seeking a roughly $449 million deal to build broadcasting infrastructure for Nigerian institutions; government approval is still pending.

Russia Ties: Ukrainian intelligence cited by Bloomberg says Russia has begun recruiting in Madagascar to fill army ranks, with some recruits reportedly promised civilian jobs. President Michaël Randrianirina is due to meet Vladimir Putin at the Russia–Africa summit, as Malagasy officials begin learning Russian at the president’s request. Accountability: Randrianirina has ordered ministers to explain their anti-corruption work on national television, while corruption cases involving a former president and officials have been suspended. Business: Madagascar’s richest man, Ylias Akbaraly, is pursuing a €400 million deal to build broadcasting infrastructure for Nigerian institutions. Climate Risk: Forecasters warn a powerful El Niño could worsen drought and poverty across southern Africa.

Russia Ties: Vladimir Putin is due to meet Madagascar’s leader on October 29 during the Russia-Africa summit. Madagascar’s education minister says President Michaël Randrianirina has also asked ministers to learn Russian, with courses underway across government. Military Recruitment: Bloomberg, citing Ukrainian intelligence, reports Russia has opened a recruitment channel in Madagascar for its war in Ukraine. A Malagasy recruit was killed at the front in August; his family said he had been promised pay and Russian citizenship. Anti-corruption: Randrianirina has ordered ministers to explain their anti-corruption plans on national television, amid a prison-release scandal. Separately, corruption cases linked to a former president and officials have been suspended. Investment: Australian explorer AKORA says several potential partners are conducting due diligence on its Bekisopa iron-ore project, but gives no timeline; its accounts flag uncertainty over its ability to continue operating. Conservation: Madagascar’s prized wild pepper is at risk as forests shrink, threatening a valuable plant and the habitat it depends on.

Anti-Corruption: President Michaël Randrianirina has ordered ministers to explain their anti-graft plans on national television, with questions from the public. The move comes amid a scandal over the release of 11 Chinese cybercrime suspects; officials have been suspended or detained. Separately, corruption cases involving a former president and officials have reportedly been paused. Business & Investment: Madagascar’s prime minister joined the World Investment Forum in Qatar as global investment flows to developing economies remain weak. Malagasy billionaire Ylias Akbaraly is pursuing a proposed $450 million Nigerian broadcasting deal, while AXIAN secured up to $62 million for a solar project in Ivory Coast. Connectivity: China’s new winter flight schedule includes plans for passenger services to Madagascar, adding the island to its expanding international network. Conservation: A study warns climate change could sharply reduce suitable habitat for Africa’s cave-dwelling bats, with Madagascar among the areas projected to retain suitable conditions. Houston Zoo also reported a record four Madagascar sacred ibis chicks this year. Youth Sports: Madagascar’s U15 side beat Mozambique 2–0 at the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan.

Investment: Madagascar’s prime minister joined more than 5,000 participants as the World Investment Forum opened in Doha. UNCTAD says investment in key development sectors fell by more than 25% in developing countries. Anti-corruption: President Michaël Randrianirina has ordered ministers to explain their anti-corruption plans live on national television, with citizens invited to ask questions. The move comes as corruption cases involving a former president and officials have been paused. Business: Malagasy billionaire Ylias Akbaraly’s Thomson Broadcast is seeking a $450 million deal to modernise Nigeria’s public broadcasting infrastructure, but approval and financing are still outstanding. Football: Madagascar beat Mozambique 2-0 at the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan.

Anti-corruption: President Michaël Randrianirina has ordered every minister to explain their anti-corruption plans live on national television, amid a scandal over the unexplained release of jailed cybercrime suspects. Separately, corruption cases involving a former president and officials have reportedly been paused. Business: Malagasy billionaire Ylias Akbaraly’s Thomson Broadcast is seeking a $450 million deal to modernise Nigeria’s public television and radio networks; approval and financing are still pending. AXIAN, led by Hassanein Hiridjee, has also secured up to $62 million for a solar plant in Ivory Coast expected to power about 240,000 people. Digital economy: GSMA says digital policy reforms could add 4 trillion ariary to Madagascar’s GDP by 2031 and bring 1.13 million more people online. Environment: Madagascar’s prized wild voatsiperifery pepper is increasingly at risk as forest loss and growing demand threaten its habitat.

Anti-corruption: President Michaël Randrianirina has ordered ministers to explain their anti-corruption plans live on national television and answer public questions. The move comes amid an investigation into the irregular release of Chinese cybercrime suspects. Separately, corruption cases involving former president Andry Rajoelina and other officials have been paused. Boeing 777 Case: A trial is due to begin in Antananarivo over five jets investigators say were registered in Madagascar before being routed to Iran, allegedly to evade US sanctions. Businessman Mamy Ravatomanga, who denies wrongdoing, is being held in Mauritius. Business: Billionaire Ylias Akbaraly is pursuing a proposed $450 million deal to modernise Nigeria’s public television and radio networks. The project is not final, and financing remains to be secured. Regional Diplomacy: Madagascar is among the countries that have confirmed participation in the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow next week.

Corruption and Accountability: Madagascar has paused corruption cases involving former president Andry Rajoelina and officials. Separately, a high-profile probe alleges businessman Mamy Ravatomanga profited from Malagasy registrations used to route five Boeing 777s to Iran; he denies wrongdoing. Business: Malagasy group AXIAN has secured up to $62 million in financing for an Ivory Coast solar plant expected to supply power to about 240,000 people. Digital Economy: GSMA says digital reforms could connect 1.12 million more people in Madagascar and add 4.1 trillion ariary to GDP by 2031. Environment: Madagascar’s prized wild pepper is at risk as forests shrink, threatening a valuable species and the communities that harvest it.

Corruption Trial: A trial over five Boeing 777s allegedly routed to Iran using temporary Malagasy registrations is expected to begin in Antananarivo next week. Businessman Mamy Ravatomanga, held in Mauritius, denies accusations of money laundering and influence-peddling; investigators allege he received €5 million from the deal. Accountability: Madagascar’s Anti-Corruption Unit has paused cases involving former president Andry Rajoelina and other officials while the High Constitutional Court rules on its jurisdiction. The complaints include alleged gold misappropriation and irregular school-furniture contracts. Youth Mental Health: Nearly 4,000 young people gathered in Antananarivo for the launch of the 16 MESURES suicide-prevention campaign, a national effort to confront stigma and promote mental-health support.

Accountability: Madagascar’s anti-corruption unit has paused cases involving former president Andry Rajoelina and other senior officials while the High Constitutional Court decides whether it has jurisdiction. Allegations include the disappearance of 36 kilograms of gold and irregular school-furniture contracts; no ruling on guilt has been made. Youth Health: Nearly 4,000 people attended the launch of the 16 MESURES mental-health campaign in Antananarivo, which includes a 24/7 suicide-prevention hotline. Gold Trade: A New York Times investigation alleges Madagascar’s gold-stockpile purchases included gold linked to Madagold, where a reporter saw children working, and to informal mines. Climate Risk: The UN warns El Niño could reach unprecedented strength as southern Madagascar faces severe dryness, raising concern for vulnerable communities. Business: Malagasy group AXIAN secured up to $62.3 million in financing for a solar plant in Ivory Coast, due to begin operating in 2028. Digital Economy: GSMA says digital-policy reforms could connect 1.13 million more people in Madagascar and add MGA 4.1 trillion to GDP by 2031.

Anti-Corruption: Madagascar has paused cases against former president Andry Rajoelina and other officials while the High Constitutional Court decides whether the courts have jurisdiction. The complaints allege, among other things, the misappropriation of 36 kilograms of gold and public funds in school-furniture contracts; the claims have not been proven. Youth Mental Health: Nearly 4,000 young people gathered in Antananarivo for the launch of the 16 MESURES suicide-prevention campaign, which includes a 24/7 hotline and aims to challenge stigma around mental health. El Niño Risk: UN agencies are urging urgent preparation for a potentially record-strength El Niño, with impacts expected to persist beyond its late-2026 peak. Southern Madagascar is already facing dry conditions, adding to concerns for vulnerable communities and food supplies. Digital Economy: GSMA says digital reforms could bring 1.13 million more people online in Madagascar and add MGA 4.1 trillion to GDP by 2031. Forest and Livelihoods: Madagascar’s prized wild voatsiperifery pepper is threatened by forest loss and destructive harvesting; the forest habitat shrank 27% from 1990 to 2025, while demand has helped drive pressure on the vines and trees.

Climate Alert: The UN warns El Niño could reach unprecedented strength late this year, with effects lasting beyond its peak. Madagascar is already grappling with a hunger crisis affecting 3.7 million people, heightening concern over climate shocks. Business: Malagasy-owned AXIAN has secured up to $62.3 million in financing for a 50-megawatt solar plant in northern Ivory Coast. Construction is underway, with operations expected in 2028. Digital Economy: GSMA says policy reforms could bring internet access to 1.13 million more people in Madagascar and add 4.1 trillion ariary to GDP by 2031. Security: Malagasy troops have completed Russian-backed training to operate infantry fighting vehicles and armoured personnel carriers, as the two countries deepen military cooperation. Conservation: Madagascar’s prized wild Voatsiperifery pepper faces growing pressure from forest loss and destructive harvesting; forests shrank 27% from 1990 to 2025.

Climate Risk: The UN warns that El Niño could reach unprecedented strength, with impacts lasting beyond its expected late-2026 peak. Southern Madagascar is already showing the strain, with parched, cracked land raising concern over food and livelihoods. Conservation and Trade: Madagascar’s prized wild voatsiperifery pepper is at risk as destructive harvesting and forest loss threaten its habitat; forests shrank 27% from 1990 to 2025. Efforts to certify sustainably harvested pepper face enforcement challenges. Digital Economy: GSMA says reforms could bring 1.13 million more people online and add MGA 4.1 trillion to Madagascar’s GDP by 2031. Food Security and Health: A recent report says 3.7 million people in Madagascar face food insecurity, while the country has confirmed four plague cases.

Wildlife Trade: Chinese customs seized two live panther chameleons, a species native to Madagascar, from a traveller entering the mainland at Qingmao Port. 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, if Madagascar improves smartphone affordability, rural coverage, mobile-sector taxes and demand for digital services. Food Security: A hunger crisis is deepening, with 3.7 million people facing food insecurity; Chinese hybrid rice is also being promoted as a way to raise harvests and support rural livelihoods. Health: Madagascar has confirmed four plague cases, renewing concern about the disease’s continued presence. Politics and Security: A report marking one year since Madagascar’s uprising points to growing Russian influence; a separate investigation says Russian cargo ships carrying military exports to Africa have made calls in Madagascar.

Innovation: Madagascar climbed seven places to 113th in the 2026 Global Innovation Index, a gain highlighting progress despite limited resources. Digital Economy: GSMA says reforms to make smartphones affordable, extend rural networks, adjust mobile taxes and boost digital services could connect 1.13 million more people to mobile internet and add MGA 4.1 trillion to GDP by 2031. Food Security: The hunger crisis is deepening, with 3.7 million people facing food insecurity. Agriculture: Chinese hybrid rice is taking root in Madagascar, with reports pointing to larger harvests and improved livelihoods. Politics: Madagascar marked a year since its uprising, as coverage examined Russia’s growing influence in the country. Public Health: Madagascar has confirmed four plague cases; the disease is rare but preventable and treatable.

Digital Economy: GSMA says reforms to make smartphones affordable, expand rural networks, cut mobile-sector taxes and boost digital services could bring 1.13 million more people online and add MGA 4.1 trillion to Madagascar’s GDP by 2031. Biodiversity: Madagascar is among 16 countries backing a new coalition to restore endangered species, announced as the UN biodiversity summit opened in Yerevan. Sports: Madagascar’s Tina Andriantahina is one of 15 African table tennis players selected for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Food Security: More than 3.7 million people in Madagascar face food insecurity. Separately, Chinese hybrid rice now covers 90,000 hectares in the country, with reported yields two to three times those of traditional varieties. Public Health: Madagascar has confirmed four plague cases, according to reports this week.