By penresa
The world is looking at us with a different perception. Madagascar has regained its notoriety on the international stage because we have a company project, we have a vision, we have dynamic and determined leaders
H.E. Andry Rajoelina, President of Madagascar
Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world, making it larger than Spain, Thailand, Sweden and Germany, with a population of 26.2 million–more than Australia, the Netherlands and Greece. Thanks to its largely undisturbed ecosystems, Madagascar is also one of only 17 countries that is considered “megadiverse” by Conservation International. Overwhelming with natural beauty, flora and fauna, as well as natural resources, Madagascar is quickly coming onto the scene as an investment paradise.
Madagascar is poised to penetrate the investment landscape even further with the implementation of the Initiative for the Emergence of Madagascar (IEM). His Excellency President Andry Rajoelina has ignited a nationwide plan to improve 13 crucial sectors that will usher Madagascar into even more economic prosperity. Among the plan’s specifics are specialised attention to the island’s main industries, mining, tourism and agriculture, as well as measures to aid in the facilitation of foreign investment and job creation.
With all the unique biodiversity that the island has to offer, it is no surprise that tourism is a major industry in Madagascar. Not only does the country rank number one in Africa with 90% in biodiversity but Madagascar also boasts over 5,000 kilometres of maritime coasts and healthy oceans and registers about 280,000 annual tourists. As this number is steadily increasing, President Rajoelina and his administration have focused more attention to the tourism industry to spur the economy and create jobs. The annual tourism growth is 20% and offers over 640,000 jobs, about 11% of total employment and 13% of overall GDP. Madagascar’s natural beauty is an alluring asset to the economy.
The abundant natural resources in Madagascar make it a haven for many industries, especially the mining sector, offering great investment opportunities. Mining is an important economic sector, where small-scale and artisanal mining alone generates 1.5 million full-time and seasonal jobs for locals in the country, proving that the communities are one of the mining industry’s greatest assets. Conservation of Madagascar’s unique biodiversity is a top priority in the mining sector, as well. As a diversity hotspot, the sector works with local communities to define sustainable ways to make a living and harvest natural resources.
The Initiative for the Emergence of Madagascar also closely focuses on the energy sector as it moves forward. The IEM places new energy policies at the forefront of the administration as they seek an electricity access rate of 70% and further implement renewable energy resources through hydro, solar and wind power. The potential of Madagascar in terms of renewable energy has been detailed: it is immense. The future is headed toward an energy transition through a hybridisation strategy based on the locally and naturally available potential and a financially viable “pay as you go” system to overcome the difficulties in the short and medium-term.
The technology sectors of Madagascar are also expanding at an incredible rate. Madagascar now boasts the second-fastest internet service in Africa, which is a great asset for telecommunications companies such as NextHope. Tsilavo Ranarison, CEO of the company, speaks of Africa’s success and potential in the telecom sector: “The growth of Africa on the technological level is unavoidable. We will not stop innovating, just like any other company, so that we can be the best. We think that in the future we want to be a skill centre for the whole continent. We want to be a skill centre for IT expertise.”
In other sectors such as agriculture, Madagascar is the world leader and largest exporter of vanilla, and the sector holds immense opportunity for the potential investor. The agriculture sector represents 40% of GDP and 80% of jobs in the active population. The country is also leading in cocoa production, where Malagasy cocoa is considered to be of exceptional quality. The fertile landscape contains over 36,000,000 hectares of arable land and the favourable climate creates various agricultural and farming opportunities. In an effort to create jobs, nurture the agriculture industry and guarantee food security, the administration is focusing on a modernisation of the sector that uses innovative techniques while respecting the environment. This transformation of agriculture will only be possible with the professionalisation of the sector.
Not to mention, Madagascar exhibits incredible opportunity in the oil sector, as well, with the development of the Tsimiroro field. Madagascar Oil is dedicated to an expansion project which will contribute 100,000 barrels per day of oil production, increasing revenues by roughly US$2 billion per year. Russell Kelly, CEO of Madagascar Oil, says, “This will have a huge impact on the economy. Tsimiroro is one of the world’s largest oil developments at the current time. Future is looking very good. The resources are there. It’s only about getting them out of the ground and into the market. I see this emerging East Africa economy developing, and it makes sense for us to develop it and get our oil into East Africa, which is a huge market.”
Madagascar is a haven of investment opportunities with ample resources, strong sectors and a predominantly young population where 70% of the population is under the age of 25. Matthieu Mace, CEO of MVola, says, “Madagascar is a young country. Our human resources are good; Malagasy people are very resilient. We speak very good French, and people are very well educated. Under the guidance of President H.E Andry Rajoelina and the Initiative for the Emergence of Madagascar, the country is creating an attractive business environment. Various regulatory reforms and public investments in infrastructure, as well as significant public and private investments in infrastructure, such as roads, ports, airports, telecommunication and energy, have reduced the costs of doing business. Access to many markets and strategically located to facilitate trade agreements and the exportation of goods and services through international business. With the current extension of the port of Toamasina in the East and the construction of Port d’Ehoala in the South, Madagascar provides world-class facilities for transportation of goods. As a peaceful and stable country, Madagascar is welcoming to investors to energise an inclusive and sustainable economic transformation.
