AGP Executive Report

Wildlife: Madagascar’s largest fruit bat has shrunk since 1980, a study of 121 museum specimens suggests. Researchers suspect hunters may be targeting larger bats, raising concern for a species that pollinates plants and disperses seeds. Ocean Protection: A new €11 million Western Indian Ocean initiative will strengthen fisheries monitoring, patrols and research to combat illegal fishing across the region. Political Transition: Madagascar’s highest court approved a referendum on a new constitution before presidential elections. The post-coup government has pledged to hold elections within 24 months; proposed changes include a federal or more decentralised state. Tourism: Aggressor Adventures plans to launch a 24-guest dive vessel in June 2027, exploring reefs and marine life around Nosy Be and northwestern Madagascar.

Constitutional Roadmap: Madagascar’s top court has approved a referendum on a new constitution before presidential elections promised by the government that took power in the 2025 coup. Proposals include a federal or strongly decentralised state. Security Ties: Fourteen servicemen tasked with protecting senior leaders completed training led by Russia’s Africa Corps, including drills for unrest and attacks. The prime minister called for deeper co-operation with Moscow. Climate Readiness: A regional study found 90% of surveyed households in Madagascar received cyclone warnings, but warned that alerts do not always lead to timely action. Rugby: Madagascar is among 11 teams competing in Nairobi’s Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Championship on November 7–8. Land and Livelihoods: Goat farmers are expanding herds to meet Chinese demand, while forest loss threatens Madagascar’s prized wild pepper and lemurs found nowhere else. Online Crime: Recent reports say scam centres have relocated to Madagascar from Cambodia, and raids have exposed networks operating in the country.

Constitutional Vote: Madagascar’s top court has cleared a referendum on a new constitution before presidential elections. The government, which took power after the October 2025 coup, has pledged elections within 24 months; proposals include a federal or strongly decentralised state. Rugby: Madagascar’s women will compete in the Rugby Africa Sevens Championship in Nairobi on November 7–8, with a place in HSBC SVNS 3 at stake. Ebola Measures: Madagascar is among the countries restricting travel from Kenya amid an Ebola outbreak. Kenya says it has completed contact tracing and is urging countries to lift the curbs. Scam Networks: Reports say raids in Madagascar have exposed scam centres relocated from Cambodia as authorities crack down. Cyclone Readiness: Surveys found 90% of respondents in Madagascar received warnings about approaching cyclones, but gaps remain in turning alerts into timely action.

Ebola Travel Curbs: Madagascar is among countries restricting arrivals from or transit through Kenya amid the Ebola outbreak. Kenya says it has traced all known contacts and is urging governments to lift the measures. Akamasoa Visit: Monaco’s Prince Albert visited the community on Antananarivo’s outskirts to open a school for a community of about 12,000 children, in a trip honoring his mother Princess Grace’s charitable legacy. Food Emergency: More than 1.14 million people in southern Madagascar need emergency food assistance, according to figures cited in a report on famine response. Scam Networks: Raids have exposed scam operations in Madagascar reportedly relocated from Cambodia as authorities crack down. Business Expansion: Private equity firm Mediterrania Capital Partners has invested in AFG Assurances, which already operates in Madagascar and plans to expand its insurance network across French-speaking Africa. Forest Pressure: Madagascar’s prized Voatsiperifery pepper is increasingly threatened as forest loss puts its habitat at risk.

Food Insecurity: A WFP interview warns that famine declarations can come too late. In southern Madagascar, 1.14 million people need emergency food aid, while the agency’s report says famine affects people in Madagascar and three other countries. Akamasoa Visit: Monaco’s Prince Albert opened a new school at the community founded by Father Pedro Opeka near Antananarivo, where 12,000 schoolchildren gathered. The visit also paid tribute to his mother, Princess Grace, and her philanthropy. Disaster Preparedness: A study found 90% of surveyed people in Madagascar received cyclone warnings, but fewer than half evacuated—highlighting gaps between alerts and action. Online Crime: Reports say scam centres moved from Cambodia to Madagascar, with raids exposing the networks. Youth Politics: A year after the coup, young people’s hopes for change remain under pressure from authoritarian practices.

Political Tensions: One year after Colonel Michael Randrianirina’s coup, promised reforms remain elusive: water and power shortages persist, while critics say the military-led government is tightening its grip and limiting dissent. Online Scams: Raids and prosecutions have exposed scam operations relocated to Madagascar from Cambodia, with reports linking some schemes to fake dating profiles and cryptocurrency theft. Climate Preparedness: A study found 90% of surveyed people in Madagascar received cyclone warnings, but fewer than half evacuated—highlighting gaps between alerts and action. Farming and Conservation: Goat herders in Morondava are expanding flocks as Chinese demand for Malagasy mutton grows, while forest loss threatens Madagascar’s prized wild pepper and lemur habitats. Regional Football: Madagascar drew 1–1 with Tanzania in AFCON qualifying; Tanzania now prepares for a double-header against Nigeria. Travel: Madagascar is among 12 African countries whose citizens can apply for Danish tourist visas without a local host, though approval is not guaranteed.

Political Crisis: One year after Colonel Michael Randrianirina’s coup, chronic power and water shortages and corruption remain unresolved, while his government faces accusations of using laws to tighten control and target critics. Public Health: FAO and IGAD warn that Rift Valley fever risk is rising in northern Madagascar as El Niño rains increase across the region. Disaster Readiness: A study found 90% of surveyed Malagasy households received cyclone warnings, but fewer than half evacuated, citing late alerts, doubts about warnings and limited means to leave. Crime Crackdown: Raids on scam compounds in Madagascar uncovered networks linked to operations in Cambodia; authorities say the sites ran romance and cryptocurrency fraud, with some recruits potentially trafficked. Trade and Conservation: Goat farmers in Morondava are expanding herds as Chinese demand grows, while forest loss threatens Madagascar’s prized wild pepper and unique wildlife.

Trade: Malagasy goat farmers are expanding herds as Chinese demand grows, with mutton returning to China’s import expo for a third year. A 2023 export protocol has opened new opportunities for producers. Crime: Raids dismantled 13 scam compounds linked to operations in Cambodia, authorities say. The romance, crypto and investment schemes allegedly used human trafficking to recruit Africans; 148 Chinese nationals were extradited, and US authorities reported seizing about $52 million in cryptocurrency. Politics and Security: Madagascar is among countries seeing youth-led protests against poor governance, corruption, unemployment and failing services. Separately, Russian Defence Ministry Africa Corps instructors held a self-defence session for young women at the Russian House in Madagascar, as Moscow deepens its ties with the country. Climate and Forests: A study found that although 90% of surveyed households in Madagascar received severe-weather warnings, fewer than half of those notified evacuated. Forest loss also threatens prized wild Voatsiperifery pepper: Madagascar’s forests shrank 27% between 1990 and 2025, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

Scam Crackdown: Raids dismantled 13 online fraud compounds in Madagascar, exposing links to networks previously operating in Cambodia. Authorities say 148 Chinese nationals were extradited, while African recruits may have been trafficked; about $52 million in cryptocurrency was seized. Youth and Governance: Madagascar is among the countries swept by youth protests over poor leadership, corruption, unemployment and declining public services. Weather Preparedness: A study found 90% of surveyed households in Madagascar received severe-weather warnings, but fewer than half of those notified evacuated, citing late alerts, doubts and limited resources. Forest at Risk: Madagascar’s forests have shrunk 27% since 1990, threatening prized wild Voatsiperifery pepper and the wildlife that depends on forest habitat.

Scam Crackdown: Raids in Madagascar dismantled 13 online scam compounds linked to operations in Cambodia, authorities say. The sites allegedly ran romance, crypto and investment fraud; 148 Chinese nationals were extradited, and US authorities seized about $52 million in cryptocurrency. Officials say some African recruits may have been trafficked, while a separate jail escape scandal has raised questions about accountability. Wildlife at Risk: Madagascar’s prized voatsiperifery pepper is threatened by forest loss and destructive harvesting. More than 100 lemur species face pressure from shrinking, fragmented habitats, while new research suggests hunting may be making the island’s giant flying foxes smaller. Health Alert: FAO and IGAD warn that El Niño rains could raise Rift Valley fever risks in northern Madagascar, urging stronger surveillance and preparation. Russia Ties: Madagascar is seeking closer economic cooperation with Moscow, including agricultural links, as reports also raise concerns about Russian recruitment efforts targeting people in the country for the war in Ukraine.

Scam Crackdown: Raids shut down 13 alleged scam compounds in Madagascar, exposing links to networks previously operating in Cambodia. Authorities say 148 Chinese nationals were extradited to China, while about $52 million in cryptocurrency was seized. Some African recruits held in custody may have been trafficked after being lured by fake job offers. Forest Under Pressure: Madagascar’s prized voatsiperifery pepper is threatened by shrinking forests and harvesting practices that can damage vines and supporting trees. Forest cover fell 27% between 1990 and last year, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Lemur Conservation: World Lemur Day renewed calls to protect the island’s unique primates and forests. A project aims to restore 150 hectares of native forest to reconnect two protected areas in the east; hunting and habitat loss also threaten Madagascar’s flying foxes. Russia Ties: Transitional President Michael Randrianirina told Vladimir Putin he wants to turn Madagascar’s long-standing friendship with Russia into a partnership with practical results. Disease Alert: El Niño rains are raising Rift Valley fever risks across Eastern Africa, with northern Madagascar among areas facing a lower but growing threat.

Scam Crackdown: Raids on 13 Madagascar-based online fraud compounds have exposed links to networks previously operating in Cambodia. Authorities say 148 Chinese nationals were extradited, while African recruits may have been trafficked; the US says about $52 million in cryptocurrency was seized in one day. Russia Ties: In Moscow, transitional President Michael Randrianirina said Madagascar wants to turn its longstanding friendship with Russia into a practical partnership. Talks with Vladimir Putin covered trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation, while Putin welcomed Madagascar’s recognition of the Russian Orthodox Church. Wildlife Under Pressure: Research suggests Madagascar’s giant flying foxes have smaller skulls than specimens from 150 years ago, with hunting a possible cause. On World Lemur Day, conservationists also warned that forest loss threatens lemurs and the role they play in forest regeneration. Forest Resources: Madagascar’s rare voatsiperifery pepper is threatened by shrinking forests and destructive harvesting, as collectors pull down vines and sometimes the trees supporting them. Health Alert: FAO and IGAD say El Niño-driven rain and flooding could raise Rift Valley fever risk in northern Madagascar, and urge stronger surveillance and preparedness.

Wildlife: Madagascar’s giant flying foxes may be shrinking, a study of 121 specimens suggests; researchers suspect hunting is removing the largest bats. Diplomacy: President Michael Randrianirina told Vladimir Putin he wants to turn longstanding ties into a practical partnership. The countries have signed agriculture and diploma-recognition agreements, while Madagascar is also courting Qatari investment to expand industry and electricity supply. Digital Access: Reforms to lower smartphone costs and extend rural networks could connect 1.13 million more people to mobile internet by 2031, a GSMA report says. Crime: US prosecutors charged a Kenyan man accused of running a romance and cryptocurrency scam from Antananarivo that allegedly targeted about 800 Americans. Conservation: Madagascar’s prized wild pepper is under pressure from forest loss and harvesting that can damage the vines and supporting trees.

Investment: Madagascar is courting Qatari partners to expand industry and energy supply, with officials identifying reliable electricity as key to growth. Digital Access: GSMA says targeted reforms could bring mobile internet to 1.13 million more people and add 4.1 trillion ariary to GDP by 2031; affordability and rural coverage remain major barriers. Russia Ties: Moscow and Antananarivo signed cooperation deals on agriculture and recognition of diplomas. Separately, reports this week alleged Russia is seeking recruits in Madagascar for its war in Ukraine. Nature: A rare Malagasy pepper prized by chefs is threatened by destructive harvesting and shrinking forests. New research also finds Madagascar’s flying foxes have grown smaller over decades, with commercial hunting suspected.

Russia Ties: Madagascar signed new agreements with Russia on agricultural cooperation and mutual recognition of diplomas during the Moscow summit. Agricultural trade has risen 83% this year, with Russia supplying wheat and Madagascar exporting products including cocoa, cloves and vanilla. President Michael Randrianirina also held talks with Vladimir Putin. Recruitment Concerns: Reports this week alleged Russia is targeting Madagascar to recruit people for its war in Ukraine, raising fresh concerns about Moscow’s expanding influence. Scam Charges: US prosecutors charged six people over an alleged crypto-investment and romance scam linked to a compound in Madagascar; investigators identified about 800 victims. Arts and Culture: Malagasy entrepreneur Hassanein Hiridjee says his collection supports African artists and the work of Fondation H, the contemporary art foundation he established in Antananarivo.

Russia–Madagascar Ties: President Michael Randrianirina is scheduled to meet Vladimir Putin at the Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow, alongside talks on broader cooperation. Scam Probe: U.S. prosecutors have charged six people over an alleged crypto-investment scheme run from compounds in Madagascar; investigators linked about 800 American victims to the fraud. Tech Startups: Madagascar’s Nia is among 18 African ventures selected for a Web3 incubation programme offering product support and investor introductions. Environment: Madagascar’s rare Voatsiperifery pepper faces habitat loss from forest depletion, fires and charcoal production; an entrepreneur is testing ways to cultivate it locally.