AGP Executive Report

Corruption Cases: Madagascar has paused corruption proceedings involving former president Andry Rajoelina and other officials. Separately, a trial over five Boeing 777s allegedly registered in Madagascar to help route them to Iran is due to begin in Antananarivo on Tuesday. Businessman Mamy Ravatomanga, a defendant, denies wrongdoing. Digital Access: GSMA says reforms could connect more than 1.1 million people in Madagascar and add MGA 4 trillion to the economy by 2031. Conservation: Madagascar’s prized wild pepper, voatsiperifery, is increasingly at risk as forests shrink and demand grows.

Boeing Corruption Trial: A major case in Antananarivo centers on five Boeing 777s routed to Iran using temporary Malagasy registrations. Businessman Mamy Ravatomanga, detained in Mauritius, denies allegations that he received money from the deal. Accountability: Madagascar has reportedly paused corruption cases involving former president Andry Rajoelina and other officials, raising fresh questions about efforts to pursue high-level graft. Gold Trade: A New York Times investigation says Madagascar’s national gold-buying program acquired metal traced to a company where reporters saw children working, highlighting risks of illegal mining and laundering. Wildlife and Livelihoods: Madagascar’s prized wild pepper is at risk as forests shrink, threatening a valuable forest product and the communities that depend on it. Youth Mental Health: Nearly 4,000 young people gathered at Antsahamanitra for the launch of a suicide-prevention hotline called “16 MESURES.” Digital Access: GSMA says digital reforms could connect 1.12 million more people in Madagascar and add MGA 4.1 trillion to GDP by 2031.

Corruption Cases: A trial expected to begin Tuesday in Antananarivo will examine how five Boeing 777s were registered in Madagascar before flying to Iran. Tycoon Mamy Ravatomanga is accused of money laundering and influence-peddling; he denies wrongdoing. Separate cases against former president Andry Rajoelina and other officials remain on hold while the High Constitutional Court considers whether anti-corruption judges have jurisdiction. Youth Wellbeing: Nearly 4,000 young people gathered at Antsahamanitra for the launch of 16 MESURES, a national suicide-prevention campaign featuring a 24/7 hotline. Food Security: A recent report says 3.7 million people in Madagascar face food insecurity, underscoring the scale of the country’s hunger crisis. Digital Access: GSMA estimates policy reforms could connect more than 1.1 million additional people to mobile internet and add about 4 trillion ariary to GDP by 2031. Wildlife and Forests: Madagascar’s prized wild pepper is increasingly threatened by overharvesting and shrinking forests.

Anti-Corruption: Madagascar has paused cases involving former president Andry Rajoelina and other officials while the High Constitutional Court rules on jurisdiction. The complaints include alleged diversion of 36 kilograms of gold and irregular school-furniture contracts. Youth Mental Health: Nearly 4,000 people gathered at Antsahamanitra for the launch of a suicide-prevention campaign and 24/7 hotline, aiming to make it easier for young people to seek help. Climate and Food Security: The UN warns El Niño could reach unprecedented strength later this year. The threat is acute for Madagascar, where millions already face food insecurity and the south is enduring drought. Club Football: Madagascar’s CFFA were eliminated from CAF competition after Tanzania’s Young Africans beat them 4-1, completing an 8-1 aggregate win. Yanga became the first club to qualify for this season’s group stage.

Business: Malagasy conglomerate AXIAN has secured up to $62.3 million in financing for a 50-megawatt solar project in northern Côte d’Ivoire, expected to begin operating in 2028. Security Ties: Malagasy troops have completed training to operate armoured vehicles, with Russia highlighting its military cooperation with Madagascar. Media: A journalism school backed by Russian news agency African Initiative is due to open at the Russian House in Madagascar on November 20. Environment: Madagascar’s prized wild Voatsiperifery pepper is under threat as forest loss and destructive harvesting damage the vines and trees it depends on. Climate: The UN warns a potentially record-strength El Niño could bring severe impacts; southern Madagascar is already showing signs of drought. Sport: Madagascar’s COSPN lost 93–69 to Burundi’s Urunani in their Basketball Africa League qualifying opener.

Basketball: Madagascar’s COSPN fell 93–69 to Burundi’s Urunani in their opening game at the Hoima City Arena, struggling to recover from a 35-point halftime deficit. Military ties: Malagasy troops graduated from Russian-led training to operate infantry fighting vehicles and armoured personnel carriers, in a ceremony attended by senior army officials and Russia’s chargé d’affaires. Wildlife and livelihoods: Madagascar’s prized Voatsiperifery pepper is threatened by shrinking forests and harvesting that can damage vines and trees; the country’s forests shrank 27% from 1990 to 2025, and efforts are under way to certify sustainable harvests. Climate risk: The UN warns El Niño could reach unprecedented strength late this year. Southern Madagascar is already parched, raising concern about worsening pressure on vulnerable communities. Digital access: GSMA says policy reforms could connect 1.13 million more people to mobile internet and add MGA 4 trillion to Madagascar’s economy by 2031. Food security: A recent report says 3.7 million people in Madagascar face food insecurity.

Forest Under Pressure: Madagascar’s prized wild voatsiperifery pepper is at risk as forests shrink and harvesters often tear down vines and supporting trees. Forest cover fell 27% from 1990 to 2025; certification efforts aim to encourage more careful harvesting. Digital Growth: GSMA says reforms could connect 1.12 million more people to mobile internet and add MGA 4.1 trillion to the economy by 2031. Food Security: A recent report says 3.7 million people in Madagascar face food insecurity. Farming: Chinese hybrid rice is taking root, with reports highlighting gains for harvests and livelihoods.

Russian Presence: An investigation into Russian cargo ships carrying military exports to Africa says the vessels have made runs to Madagascar, raising questions about suspicious passengers and prolonged stops off sensitive coastlines. Digital Growth: GSMA says policy changes could connect 1.13 million more people to mobile internet and add MGA 4.1 trillion to Madagascar’s GDP by 2031. Innovation: Madagascar climbed seven places to 113th in the 2026 Global Innovation Index, reflecting gains despite limited resources. Food Security: An estimated 3.7 million people face food insecurity, while 20.1 million are living in extreme poverty. Public Health: Madagascar has confirmed four plague cases. Youth Protests: Reports on global youth-led demonstrations recalled Madagascar’s 2025 uprising, which helped bring down the government.

Digital Access: GSMA says policy changes could bring mobile internet to 1.13 million more people in Madagascar and add MGA 4.1 trillion to GDP by 2031. Priorities include cheaper smartphones, rural coverage, tax reform and stronger demand for digital services. Food Security: A reported 3.7 million people in Madagascar face food insecurity, as concerns grow over worsening hunger. Public Health: Madagascar has confirmed four plague cases, according to reports published this week. Digital Skills: Orange and Madagascar are partnering to expand vocational training and digital skills, while Yas Madagascar has opened a digital learning hub in Antsirabe. Youth Sport: Table tennis player Tina Andriantahina has been selected to represent Madagascar at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

Digital Access: GSMA says policy changes could bring mobile internet to 1.13 million more people in Madagascar and add MGA 4.1 trillion to GDP by 2031. Priorities include cheaper smartphones, rural network expansion, tax reform and stronger demand for digital services. Farming: Chinese hybrid rice now covers 90,000 hectares in Madagascar, with reported yields two to three times those of traditional varieties—an important boost as the planting season approaches. Food Security: A deepening hunger crisis leaves 3.7 million people facing food insecurity. Public Health: Madagascar has confirmed four plague cases, renewing attention to the preventable but potentially serious disease.

Digital Access: A GSMA report says policy changes on smartphone affordability, rural coverage, mobile taxes and digital services could connect 1.13 million more people in Madagascar and add MGA 4.1 trillion to GDP by 2031. Mobile internet reached just 14.3% of the population in 2025. Indian Ocean: Madagascar joined nine other countries at the Nairobi Convention’s COP12, which agreed on 15 steps to advance protection and sustainable development across the Western Indian Ocean. Food Security: About 3.7 million people in Madagascar face acute food insecurity, including 426,000 in critical conditions, as drought and El Niño reduce harvests and push up food prices. Politics: One year after protests ousted Andry Rajoelina, a report says Russia has rapidly expanded its political, military and economic networks in Madagascar under President Michael Randrianirina. Agriculture: Chinese-backed hybrid rice has been planted on 90,000 hectares, with reported yields two to three times those of traditional varieties. Health: Madagascar has confirmed four plague cases, according to reports.

Digital Access: GSMA says targeted reforms could bring mobile internet to 1.13 million more people and add MGA 4.1 trillion to GDP by 2031. Yet just 14.3% of people used mobile internet in 2025, and one-third of rural residents lack 4G coverage. Food Security: An estimated 3.7 million people face acute hunger, including 426,000 in critical conditions, as drought and El Niño cut harvests and push up food prices. Agriculture: Hybrid rice now covers a cumulative 90,000 hectares, with average yields of 7.5 tonnes per hectare—two to three times those of traditional varieties—as farmers prepare for the rainy season. Politics: A year after Gen Z protests ousted Andry Rajoelina, reporting says promised change remains limited and Russia has rapidly expanded its presence in Madagascar. Public Health: Madagascar has confirmed four plague cases. Digital Services: The country is testing an online passport portal for applications, payments and tracking.

Food Security: About 3.7 million people in Madagascar face acute food insecurity, including 426,000 in critical conditions, as poor rainfall and El Niño weigh on harvests and push up food prices. Agriculture: Chinese hybrid rice has spread across 90,000 hectares, with reported average yields of 7.5 tonnes per hectare—two to three times those of traditional varieties—as farmers prepare for the rainy season. Digital Access: GSMA says policy changes could bring 1.13 million more people online and add MGA 4.1 trillion to GDP by 2031. Yet 66% of people live under mobile broadband coverage without using mobile internet, while about a third of rural residents lack 4G coverage. Health: Madagascar has confirmed four plague cases, according to recent reports. Politics: A year after protests toppled Andry Rajoelina, an investigation says Russia has rapidly expanded its networks in Madagascar under President Michael Randrianirina.

Food and Farming: Chinese-backed hybrid rice is now grown across 90,000 hectares in Madagascar, averaging 7.5 tonnes per hectare—two to three times traditional yields—as farmers prepare for the rainy season. But hunger remains acute: 3.7 million people face food insecurity, including about 426,000 in critical conditions, amid drought and poor harvests. Digital Access: GSMA says policy changes could connect 1.13 million more people to mobile internet and add MGA 4.1 trillion to GDP by 2031. Affordability, digital skills and limited rural coverage remain barriers. Public Health: Madagascar has confirmed four plague cases, according to recent reports. Politics: One year after Gen Z protests helped oust Andry Rajoelina, reports say promised change remains limited as Russia rapidly expands its presence on the island. Football: Malagasy champions CFFA face a steep task after losing 4-0 to Tanzania’s Yanga in the first leg of their CAF Champions League tie.

Digital Economy: GSMA says targeted reforms could bring mobile internet to 1.13 million more people and add MGA 4.1 trillion to Madagascar’s GDP by 2031. Priorities include cheaper smartphones, rural coverage, tax changes and digital services; Orange Madagascar has also partnered with the government to strengthen vocational digital training. Food Security: An estimated 3.7 million people face acute hunger, including 426,000 in critical conditions, as drought and El Niño reduce harvests and drive up food prices. Politics: Madagascar marks a year since protests ousted Andry Rajoelina, with reports saying promised changes remain limited as Russia rapidly expands its influence. Public Health: Madagascar has confirmed four plague cases. Agriculture: Chinese-supported hybrid rice now covers a cumulative 90,000 hectares, with reported yields two to three times those of traditional varieties.

Political Transition: One year after Gen Z protests toppled Andry Rajoelina, many demands for water, electricity, justice and transparency remain unmet. Researchers say Russia rapidly expanded its political, military and economic networks after President Michael Randrianirina took office. Food Security: Chinese-backed hybrid rice has been planted across 90,000 hectares in Madagascar, yielding about 7.5 tonnes per hectare—two to three times the traditional average—as the rainy-season planting begins. Digital Access: GSMA says reforms could connect 1.13 million more people to mobile internet and add MGA 4.1 trillion to GDP by 2031; affordability, rural coverage and digital skills remain barriers. Skills Training: Madagascar’s technical education ministry and Orange Madagascar will update vocational training and career pathways to better match demand for digital skills. Public Health: Madagascar has confirmed four plague cases, according to reports published earlier this week.