American Chamber of Commerce in Madagascar .
Items will help repair houses, prevent waterborne disease
ANTANANARIVO – As part of the American people’s ongoing commitment to provide Madagascar with relief from past and future climatic shocks, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) sent last week 48.8 metric tons of humanitarian relief assistance worth $1.2 million in coordination with the country’s National Office for Risk and Disaster Management.
Two flights landed on May 29 and 31 loaded with non-food items, including plastic tarpaulins and kits to repair damaged houses; household items like pots, pans, and buckets; and water purification products to prevent water-borne diseases from contaminated floodwaters. Some 25,000 people in 5,000 affected households will benefit.
These items will continue to support people already affected by the cyclones and drought and will be available to quickly provide assistance in the case of future climatic shocks.
Madagascar is among the countries most affected by climate change. The southern region is experiencing a third consecutive year of severe drought causing a severe food security crisis, and 2022 has already seen four severe cyclones that destroyed homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods. An ongoing response and the pre-positioning of relief supplies is, therefore, critical to the country’s resilience to natural disasters.
“This year’s cyclones have come and gone, but their impact can still be felt in large swaths of the southeast,” USAID Mission Director John Dunlop said of the delivery. “These deliveries will help those suffering from earlier disasters, as well as others to come.”
USAID partners, CARE, the International Federation of Red Cross, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, and UNICEF, will deliver the items to affected residents and manage the stored items for future needs. This assistance complements ongoing shelter reconstruction, food assistance, borehole rehabilitation and seeds distribution assistance.
The United States is the largest bilateral donor for humanitarian assistance in Madagascar. Current projects funded in southern Madagascar are feeding more than 894,000 people, treating and preventing malnutrition in 414,000 women and children, improving water access for 54,000 people, and assisting more than 565,000 farmers with agricultural recovery activities.
The U.S. government stands side-by-side with Madagascar as “mpirahalahy mianala” to help the Malagasy people recover from and be more resilient to natural disasters. Since 2020, USAID has donated $104 million in food assistance to drought- and cyclone-affected households, millions of vaccines, and other assistance to prevent the spread and fight the impact of the COVID-19.
Press Release by U.S. Embassy Antananarivo - USAID Madagascar
Shifting population age holds potential for economic growth
ANTANANARIVO – The U.S. government, along with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is helping Madagascar attain a “Demographic Dividend.”
A Demographic Dividend is economic growth leveraged from shifts in a population’s age structure, mainly when the share of a country’s working-age population is larger than the share of non-working-age citizens it supports.
As Madagascar’s large youthful population grows and its birthrates slow, the country has an opportunity to make key investments in areas such as health, education, employment, and governance that can allow it to follow the development path of many of its Asian neighbors to the east and emerge as a middle-income country.
A high-level conference on June 20 -- sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and attended by senior government officials, and international donors -- explored the nature of the Democratic Dividend and the challenges and opportunities for pursuing it.
“The demographic dividend contributes not only to a country’s development, but also to the well-being of its families and communities,” U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Tobias Glucksman said in his keynote remarks. “The combined effects of family planning with investments in education and the economy produce a [significant] increase in gross domestic product.”
Madagascar unveiled a Democratic Dividend “roadmap” in 2019 that identified 28 “pillars of emergence” to drive growth. In 2020, the Government of Madagascar committed to further action, prioritizing the Dividend as a means to reduce inequalities and poverty, overcome food insecurity, and improve living conditions across the country.
The June 20 conference was organized by USAID’s Health Policy Plus project, which has supported since 2016 Madagascar’s pursuit of the Demographic Dividend through training, establishment of an inter-ministerial task force, and development of the country’s Dividend roadmap. USAID further supports Madgascar’s efforts to achieve the Dividend through $16 million annually in family planning funds, as well as other investments in the health and economic sectors.
Among the commitments made at the conference, Government of Madagascar ministers pledged to integrate activities delineated in the country’s Dividend roadmap into their institutions annual work plans.
The United States stands side-by-side with Madagascar like ‘mpirahalahy mianala’ to help improve the health and well-being of the Malagasy people. As the largest single-country donor to Madagascar's health sector, the U.S. Government in 2021 provided $85.5 million fund USAID health projects for the country.
These projects reduce Madagascar's maternal and child mortality, provide access to potable water and sanitation, protect communities from malaria, improve access to family planning, ensure a reliable supply chain of vital health care provisions and medications, and reinforce the country’s national community health policy.
Press Release by U.S. Embassy Antananarivo / USAID Madagascar
Today, we observe Juneteenth by hanging the Black Lives Matter flag on our chancery building. Juneteenth recognizes June 19, 1865 as the day the last enslaved people in the United States were finally informed of their freedom, the day that slavery ended in the United States.
Over the years, Juneteenth has become a day for communities around the country to celebrate and reflect on the meaning of freedom. In 2021, President Biden declared Juneteenth a federal holiday.
“Juneteenth is a day of profound weight and power. A day in which we remember the moral stain and terrible toll of slavery on our country,” President Biden said, “But it is a day that also reminds us of our incredible capacity to heal, hope, and emerge from our darkest moments with purpose and resolve.”
While the United States has made significant progress in addressing systemic racism and inequality, we still have far to go. This Juneteenth, we recommit ourselves to our founding principles of equality and justice. We celebrate the diversity of our society. And we continue our national journey toward a more perfect union.
Source: U.S. Embassy Madagascar
On June 9, 2022, AmCham Madagascar held its traditional Thursday Morning Round Table at Le Centell Hotel Antanimena, and received as guest the Minister of Digital Development and Digital Transformation, Posts and Telecommunications Tahina RAZAFINDRAMALO. The Minister’s speech was mainly rooted in the presentation of the Ministry’s projects under the theme: "Meeting the needs for modernization of the country by establishing e-governance and providing e-services" that converges towards President Rajoelina’s "Velirano 11 and 4". Tahina Razafindramalo announced ongoing digital projects that he believes will facilitate the life of Malagasy citizens, including E-fokontany, E-vahiny, E-vaksiny, E-orinasa. The Minister affirms that digital development is an obligatory pathway to provide better access to the most remote areas of the country, to support the fight against corruption, but also to modernize the Malagasy administration.
During his presentation, Tahina Razafindramalo highlighted two key areas of the ministry's projects that address governance issues in Madagascar. On the one hand, he proposes to innovate public services in order to facilitate the daily life of Malagasy people. On the other hand, he presented e-governance projects including the establishment of data centers, as well as the modernization of telecommunications networks of the Malagasy Administration. Thus, the discussion between AmCham members and guests, and the Minister was focused on Madagascar’s adaptation capacity to the digital era, and the opportunities that innovation and digital development offer to the country.
Are we ready for 5G?
Regarding internet performance, Tahina Razafindramalo explains that talking about 5G is not a priority yet at this point, even if two out of three internet providers have done experimentation in Antananarivo and Toamasina for two years now. Madagascar does not have any sufficient 3G and 4G coverage yet. Today, prioritizing giving remote and rural areas access to 3G and 4G is more relevant. Nevertheless, such technology would fit in the Smart City project. A point to note is, the President just signed a Memorandum Of Understanding during his visit in Dubaï. Different tools, equipments and technologies such as the Internet of Things, optical fiber and satellite coverage, a new data center, traffic lights led by artificial intelligence will be therefore put in place for the project.
Additionally, financial inclusion is among the Ministry’s priorities as well. Discussions on the implementation of the postal bank are now in progress and a final decision is expected to be made by late September. The project targets the creation of 20,000 points of sales.
The State is also working on seeking subsidies to make smartphones available to more Malagasy households. An increased number of users would lead to the drop of internet packages prices. The same way, the expansion of mobile money into the rural market would be made easier. One important point that the Minister stressed on was, the government opens the market to any internet provider and any potential investor, and is by no mean promoting a monopoly situation.
Partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Hydrocarbons
Tahina Razafindramalo announced that a 250-million-dollar cross project between the MNDPT and the MEH has been supported by the World Bank. Plans to develop mutual electricity and telecommunications infrastructure are currently in a study phase. The project is set to start next year, and the Minister expects the involvement of both local and foreign companies in its implementation.
Among the members and guests presents: Airtel Madagascar, QMM, ViMa, Socota Group, Miellerie de la Grande-Ile, Mioty Voajanahary, BushProof, Evolutis, Madagascar Products, Radisson Blu, Madagascar Oil, CPP System, X-Seller, Saveurs de Madagascar, Entreprise Kinga, and the US Embassy in Madagascar.
By John Timothy Andrianaivo and Maherintsoa Andrianiaina
ANTANANARIVO – U.S. Embassy in Madagascar and Comoros is proud to announce that 11 young leaders between 25 and 35 years old from Madagascar will participate in the 2022 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. Five of them will strengthen their leadership in public management: Felana Andrianantenaina Razakamahefa at Syracuse University, Lanto Nirina Robivelo at Bridgewater State University, Mirado Fitiavana Rakotoharimalala at Arizona State University, Ony Andriamasinoro at Texas Tech University and Raharinoely Ranjaharimalala Sophie at Bridgewater State University. Three others will enhance their leadership in civic engagement: Fidy Manantsoa Randrianarivelo at University of Delaware, Kimmerling Razafindrina at University of Georgia, and Rindra Antenaina Rakotoarisoa at Appalachian State University. As for Natoa Razakasoavina at Clark Atlanta University, Ny Anjara Rafalimanana at University of Texas at Austin and Romeo Diarison Rajaonarimalala at Rutgers University, they will develop their leadership in business.
The Malagasy Fellows left Madagascar on June 7, 2022 to join college and university campuses across the United States for six-week trainings during which they will strengthen their leadership skills through academic study, workshops, mentoring, networking with U.S. leaders, and collaboration with members of the local community. This year, twenty-seven U.S. educational institutions in 20 states and the District of Columbia will host these Leadership Institutes for approximately 700 Mandela Washington Fellows from all sub-Saharan Africa.
After their Leadership Institutes, Fellows will participate in a virtual summit. Additionally, up to 100 competitively selected Fellows, two of whom are Malagasy, will engage virtually in professional development with U.S. organizations in the public, private, or non-profit sectors. Fellows can participate in Alumni Programming after their Fellowships to further build their professional skills and networks.
Launched in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and embodies the U.S. commitment to invest in the future of Africa. YALI was created in 2010 and supports young Africans as they spur economic growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa. Since 2014, nearly 5,100 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa, including 77 from Madagascar, have participated in the Mandela Washington Fellowship.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX. For more information about the Mandela Washington Fellowship, visit mandelawashingtonfellowship.org.
Press Release by the U.S. Embassy Madagascar
Public-Private Partnership will strengthen enterprises that invest in environmental conservation and local empowerment.
ANTANANARIVO – The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), are helping Madagascar strengthen its business climate and protect its unique ecosystems through a new public-private partnership known as Mitsiry, or “sprout” in Malagasy.
At a ceremony last Friday, the Cabinet Director from the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development Mamitiana Andriamanjato and the Conseiller technique chargé du secteur privé of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Consumption Christian Rasoamanana, joined USAID/Madagascar Mission Director, John Dunlop to launch the new five-year, $12.5 million project that will be led by local impact investment firm Miarakap.
“Mitsiry builds on what we know: that conservation succeeds when local people benefit,” John Dunlop said during the launch ceremony. “This is especially true in Madagascar, where so many livelihoods are linked to natural resources,” he added.
The project will support emerging small and medium-sized companies that have a strong commitment to environmental preservation and will assist the local communities therein through economic empowerment and incentivization of land preservation.
Under the alliance, USAID’s funding of $5 million will leverage another $7.4 million from the private sector. Entrepreneurs participating in the alliance and other private firms are crucial drivers of development and employment by helping rural populations become aware of the importance of conserving Madagascar’s environment. USAID’s effort underscores the American peoples’ commitment to bolstering critical economic sectors while improving local economies and conserving biodiversity.
For nearly 40 years, the United States has worked side-by-side with the Malagasy people to advance health care, improve conservation and agricultural practices, grow the economy, strengthen democracy and governance, and provide critical humanitarian assistance in response to drought, disease, and cyclones.
The U.S. government recognizes the global significance of Madagascar’s unparalleled biodiversity as well as the critical role natural resources play in the nation’s economic and human development. Since 2013, the U.S. government has committed more than $60 million in programs that promote sustainability, improve livelihoods for local communities, bolster governance of natural resources, strengthen actions to stop international wildlife trafficking, and protect thousands of hectares from illegal and unsustainable exploitation.
Press Release by U.S. Embassy Antananarivo and USAID Madagascar
ANTANANARIVO – Thirty-three English educators from eight regions of Madagascar learned how to pair in-persons workshops with online courses to dramatically increase the effectiveness and completion rates of online courses as part of a U.S. Embassy-sponsored three-day workshop in Antananarivo from May 5-7. Organized by the non-profit organization Association Ndeha Hianatra Izahay, the intensive Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) Camp Facilitator Training equipped experienced English teaching with the knowledge of American English MOOCs and the hands-on tools and best practices to run effective in-person “MOOC Camps.”
U.S. Government offers a wide range of free American English MOOCs for English educators and learners through its americanenglish.state.gov website. These courses offer a free and easily accessible opportunity for English language learners and teachers to develop their English skills and advance in their English teaching methods. But globally only roughly 10% of learners typically complete online courses. When paired with well-facilitated in-person “MOOC Camps,” however, U.S. Government-trained facilitators can drive completion rates for these online courses over 90%. The workshop featured in-person and virtual sessions by American and Malagasy English teaching experts, including three American educators currently working in Madagascar on U.S. Government-sponsored exchange programs.
After this three-day training, the participants will lead MOOC camps in their regions that will benefit more than 330 English educators across the country. Not only are the MOOC Camps a low-cost, high-impact way to introduce research-based teaching methods and materials for English language teaching, but they also bring educators together in a professional community of practice that will help teachers continue to grow their professional skills.
Since 2017, the U.S. Government has worked like “mpirahalahy mianala” with the Government of Madagascar and Malagasy educators to improve the teaching and learning of English in Madagascar. This initiative is shaped by the belief that stronger English language skills can open a wide range of local and global opportunities for Malagasy students and professionals wishing to pursue their studies and advance their careers.
In 2017, the U.S. Embassy collaborated with the Ministry of National Education to revise the national English language curriculum at the high school level. The U.S. Government has also provided high quality professional training to more than 2,700 English educators around Madagascar, helping improve their methods and resources for teaching English at the high school and university levels, as well as at English clubs and other educational forums.
Press Release by U.S. Embassy Madagascar
AmCham’s traditional Thursday Morning Round Table (TMRT) was held last week at Le Centell Antanimena. It was an opportunity for AmCham members to meet and discuss with Malagasy Minister of Energy and Hydrocarbons, Andry Ramaroson, about current energy issues. Following up on an interview given in the 14th edition of "The American" magazine, the Minister insisted on a couple of important matters, including other hydro initiatives than Sahofika and Volobe such as Ambodiroka, Ranomafana and Antetezambato. He also announced the implementation of a wind energy project in Antsiranana this year. The private sector, on their side, did not spare their words to express their concerns over the current situation.
Review of the situation
Minister Andry Ramaroson started by reassuring companies that Madagascar has sufficient stock of fuel until at least mid-June and that fuel prices will remain unchanged. The promotion of renewable energies and energy self-production are the objectives set by the current administration to tackle energy issues. As a reminder, the law adopted in 2017 allows companies to produce its own energy and sell up to 40 percent of its production.
On the other hand, the private sector expressed its worries about the financial health of JIRAMA. The Minister promised that the State company would regain its financial balance before the end of the presidential term in 2023. He also reassured companies that the "Optima Business" offer will be launched in the next two months. Regarding their targeted production of 400 MW, 30 percent of the work is done, and it is estimated to reach 50% by the end of this year.
Looking to the future
Going green. The exploitation of Madagascar’s wind potential to increase Madagascar’s energy production capacity was brought to the table during the TMRT. Andry Ramaroson confirmed the project of wind turbine will be launched in north Madagascar this year.
Moving forward, he acknowledged that 400MW would not be enough to support the country needs in terms of electricity power in the coming years, with regards to the ambitious infrastructure projects envisioned by President Rajoelina. Electricity overproduction is not likely to happen anytime soon. But projects such as Sahofika and Volobe, and other projects are expected to build up new perspectives for Madagascar emergency. That is why the private sector is concerned with the slow advancement of those important hydro projects.
As we are heading to the 2023 presidential elections, the Minister of Energy and Hydrocarbons reassures the private sector that ongoing projects will not stop regardless of the outcome of the upcoming elections.
This last year, Madagascar has been affected by both the pandemic and natural disaster. The country still suffers the consequences of previous political crisis as well. During AmCham’s TMRT, he encouraged the private sector to further cooperate with the government. Any risk of political crisis following the elections is not to put aside. The main question is how this government can prevent the country’s development process from political crisis. Madagascar’s development, the emergency of the country and the viability of all developmental projects including investment security depend on political stability. Madagascar’s attractiveness also relies on present and future political decision. Maintaining political stability is therefore key to stimulate growth and development.
Among the members present: Madagascar Oil, Airtel, SOCOTA Group, Groupe Filatex, Rio Tinto QMM, Vivo Energy, Société Générale Madagasikara, Henri Fraise Fils & Cie, Rema Tip Top, Vision Madagascar (VIMA), Radisson Blu, Kolots'Art Aloalo, Bushproof, Fitzkara Associates, Ambatovy, and PriceWaterhouse Coopers. AmCham's next TMRT is expected to be held on May 26th.
By John Timothy Andrianaivo and Maherintsoa Andrianiaina
ANTANANARIVO – Cindy McCain, the U.S. Ambassador to the three United Nations food agencies based in Rome, completed today a two-day visit with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to southern Madagascar, where half the population is food insecure after several years of intense drought.
Regarding the situation in the south, Ambassador McCain noted, "the scope of the crisis in the Grand Sud is heartbreaking. I have learned about communities who have endured one catastrophe after another, from extreme drought to locusts and cyclones. But I also witnessed moments of hope in the work that the UN agencies, USAID and the Malagasy government are supporting to build resilience in these communities. We are in this together.”
This trip, jointly organized by the relevant UN agencies and USAID, focused on various projects by the aid agencies in response to the humanitarian emergency, including:
Ambassador McCain also met with the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, the Governor of southern Madagascar’s Androy region, and the National Disaster Risk Management Office to discuss drought, water, and nutrition support.
“Assisting with the crisis in the south remains a top priority for the U.S. government,” U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Amy Hyatt said. "The seriousness of the situation cannot be overstated. Many people are in life-or-death circumstances. That is why the United States continues to stand by the people of Madagascar to respond to this crisis, try and prevent starvation and famine, and help those who desperately need it."
"Agricultural producers represent 90% of the population in these regions. Efforts to revive agriculture and build the resilience of farming households have already proven effective for the tiny fraction (nearly 20,000 households, or about 100,000 people) that have been fortunate enough to participate in FAO's interventions. We continue to mobilize resources to cover all farming, livestock and fishing households with the aim of empowering them and restoring their dignity. We need to gradually move them away from these levels of food crisis and start real development steps" said Mbuli Charles Boliko, FAO Representative in Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles.
"IFAD is committed to accompanying Madagascar in its rural transformation and will not abandon it even in times of crisis," said Sara Mbago-Bhunu, IFAD Regional Director for the Eastern and Southern Africa Division. "Southern Madagascar remains a priority for IFAD. Currently, we have three programs underway - the Inclusive Agricultural Value Chain Development Program, the Vocational Training and Agricultural Productivity Improvement Program, and the Grand Sud Recovery and Resilience Project to restore the productive capacities of rural households most affected by kéré - at a total cost of US$336 million, including an IFAD investment of US$183 million, to help 515,000 rural households address the challenges of climate change, drought, famine and cyclones." IFAD has supported 17 development projects and programmes in Madagascar at a total cost of US$880.64 million. "More than 1 million rural households have benefited directly," added Mbago-Bhunu.
"WFP has been leading the emergency response in southern Madagascar, working hand in hand with partners like the Government of Madagascar and the United States. Our efforts together have averted famine-like conditions and reduced malnutrition among children and women in the region," said Pasqualina Di Sirio, WFP Country Director in Madagascar "At the same time, our resilience programmes promoting sustainable agricultural practices and climate adaptation have benefitted hundreds of farmers. As we approach the end of the lean season, I am confident that working together we will help communities become food secure and more resilient."
The UN agencies and USAID are working together to build community resilience to climate shocks in Madagascar’s deep south, where the latest analysis suggests 1.47 million people – or 50 percent of the region’s population - are food insecure.
The U.S. government is the leading provider of emergency assistance to the south. Since 2015, the American people, through USAID, have committed more than $261 million to the region. Projects funded by the U.S. government in southern Madagascar are currently feeding more than 894,000 people, treating and preventing malnutrition in 414,000 women and children, improving water access for 54,000 people, and assisting more than 565,000 farmers with agricultural recovery activities.
Press Release by U.S. Embassy Antananarivo - USAID Madagascar - FAO - WFP - IFAD
Who is Ambassador Cindy McCain?
Ambassador Cindy Hensley McCain was sworn in by the Biden Administration to serve as Permanent Representative of the U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome on November 5, 2021. She has dedicated her life to improving the lives of those less fortunate both in the United States and around the world.
She is the former Chair of the Board of Trustees of the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University, where she oversaw the organization’s focus on advancing character-driven global leadership based on security, economic opportunity, freedom, and human dignity as well as chairing the Institute’s Human Trafficking Advisory Council.
In addition to her work at the McCain Institute, she served on the Board of Directors of Project C.U.R.E, CARE, Operation Smile, HaloTrust and the Advisory Boards of Too Small To Fail and Warriors and Quiet Waters.
McCain holds an undergraduate degree in Education and a Master’s in Special Education from the University of Southern California.
She was the Chairman of her family’s business, Hensley Beverage Company, which is one of the largest Anheuser-Busch distributors in the nation. Ambassador McCain is the wife of the late U.S. Senator John McCain. Together, they have four children.
African Leaders for Africa (or ALFA) is a non-profit organization aiming to implement feasible activities and to create positive impact on the Malagasy and African communities.
ALFA is a joint initiative of alumni of leadership trainings who decided to work together for a fairer future. Later, the organization grew and hired other professionals and passionate colleagues. ALFA is now involved in various fields including environment protection, education, health and hygiene, youth empowerment, and entrepreneurship.
Through a few projects, ALFA committed itself to fighting for inclusion, empowering the most vulnerable, transferring skills and knowledge through trainings, and using art to convey messages for sustainable development.
This month, besides its book focusing on environment and climate change, ALFA uses arts once again to sensitize about gender equality and
We are using arts once again to sensitize about gender equality and to promote sustainability through recycling. We are convinced that artworks and handicrafts are suitable business and entrepreneurial projects for women and young people. Thus, from March 8-11, we organize the "OMEO AINA VAO", a collective art exhibition at Villa 13 Cité Perrier Ampandrana. Sculptures, paintings, plastic arts, jewellery design, leather products and music, poetry and slam performances will be showcased during the 11-day celebration.
Finally, ALFA is working on a short footage video to promote gender equity and women empowerment. We are looking for partners and sponsors to make a bigger impact.
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Funding provided by
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This website was funded by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.
