An enarque, former policeman, new Prime Minister
Mamitiana Rajaonarison was appointed Prime Minister of Madagascar on March 15, a few days after the dismissal of his predecessor by the president of the Malagasy transition, Michaël Randrianirina. Aged 53, the new head of government is a former gendarme, from the same promotion of the Antsirabé Military Academy as the president. He then studied at the French ENA (promotion Jean-Jacques Rousseau) and made the fight against corruption his specialty within the Malagasy senior civil service. He was obviously chosen for this, while the integrity of the new regime begins to be doubted by whistleblowers and part of the public.
Oil production restarted
In the west of the Big Island, heavy oil extraction is gradually resuming on the Tsimiroro site. Visibly reassured by the intentions of the new regime, the Madagascar Oil company, whose shareholders are several international investment companies, resumed activities that had been slowed down for several years. Its announced objective is to produce 3,000 barrels per day within two years., but also to reach an agreement with the state company Jirama so that the latter uses its fuel in its thermal power plants.
Russia's charm offensive
February 19, the president of the “refoundation” of Madagascar, Michaël Randrianarina, was received in the Kremlin by Vladimir Putin. This official visit followed that of a Malagasy parliamentary delegation to Russia in November 2025, led by the new president of the National Assembly, Siteny Randrianasoliniaiko. The latter does not hide his hostility towards France, accused of having shielded the deposed president Andry Rajoelina from Malagasy justice. In return : two helicopters, six trucks and 60 tonnes of food aid delivered to Madagascar after the passage of cyclone Gezani, weapons and military equipment offered to the presidential guard regiment, a mission of 140 military instructors as a bonus, end of 2025… In recent months, Russia has increased its friendly gestures towards Madagascar.
Birth of a digital university
Madagascar launched its public virtual university at the end of February (RRP), intended to facilitate young people’s access to higher education, particularly in isolated areas of the Big Island. The initiative benefits from support from the World Bank to the tune of $3 million. Diploma courses are already available online. The UVP has set itself the objective of welcoming nearly 50,000 learners per year within three years..
