Madagascar tries to maintain the advantages of Agoa
The Malagasy Minister of Commerce was part of an African delegation that traveled to Washington from September 8 to try to preserve the benefits of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Ago). For a quarter of a century, this law allows products from many sub-Saharan African countries to enter the United States market without being taxed, or almost. Returning to power in 2025, Donald Trump has decided that the time has come to eliminate this largesse. His administration has set September 30 as the end of AGOA. Since, all the countries concerned are trying to put forward their arguments to try to continue to benefit from the system. The 13% of Malagasy exports which are destined for the United States ($733 million last year) are essentially composed of vanilla and textile. Madagascar being by far the world's leading producer of the precious pod, its American buyers should remain loyal to it, even if the introduction of new customs taxes will make trade discussions more tense. In the field of textiles, where competition is much fiercer, Madagascar has joined forces with four other exporting countries to the United States (Kenya, Tanzania, Mauritius and Lesotho) to consider collective bargaining. Everyone puts forward their arguments. The Big Island highlights the presence in its subsoil of minerals coveted by new technologies (nickel, cobalt, graphite…), which could become a bargaining chip with the United States.
Thierry de Bailleul remains at Madagascar Airlines
The rumor announced it was ejectable, Thierry de Bailleul was ultimately retained in his position as general manager of Madagascar Airlines. The company announced at the end of August the extension of its mission. The Frenchman is piloting an ambitious recovery plan, supported by the World Bank to the tune of 65 million euros. The Malagasy authorities have, for their part, committed to exempting from duties and taxes the aircraft and aeronautical equipment which will be imported as part of this modernization plan., called Phénix 2030 and which aims in particular at a resumption of international flights in 2026.
The renovation of Malagasy ports is launched
Congestion, aging facilities, customs procedures not very electronic : Malagasy ports are poorly performing, has just demonstrated a diagnosis carried out by the African Development Bank (BAD) and the United Nations Office for Project Services. A vast renovation and standardization program, which will be supported by the ADB, was presented at the beginning of September in Antananarivo. It mainly concerns the ports of Toamasina (Fat), Antsiranana (Diégo-surez), Majunga, Tulear, FortDauphin, Vohémar, Antalaha and Nosy Be.
Tourist attendance : Nosy Be on point
Nosy Be confirms its status as the flagship of the Malagasy tourist offer. The island attracted nearly 110,000 foreign tourists and nearly 50,000 domestic visitors during the first eight months of 2025. Nosy Be is now connected by plane to around ten regional and international destinations and has 7,000 rooms., all categories of accommodation combined. More than 500 additional hotel rooms have been created in 2024. However, local professionals in the sector deplore the significant deterioration of the road network providing access to Nosy Be., before a final crossing by sea, from Antananarivo, Majunga or Antsiranana (Diégo-surez).
The trade deficit is widening
Madagascar's trade deficit could exceed two billion dollars at the end of 2025, according to the latest official figures. At the end of the first six months of the year, it stood at 1,$278 billion, resulting from an increase in imports (almost 2,4 billion dollars, +11% in one year) and the decline in the value of exports (1,$116 billion, -10,8 %).
