Prior to the pandemic, there were direct flights from several major destinations to Antananarivo, including Johannesburg, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Paris, Istanbul, and Port Louis; all commercial flights are currently suspended. The government is keen to increase connectivity to other regions including the United States, the Middle East, China, and India once they re-open borders. Madagascar has ratified and signed the universal Open Skies agreement. In a bid to attract major airlines and international tourists, Madagascar has completed construction of a new international terminal (still to open) at Ivato International Airport and increased the number of upscale tourist accommodations. The government also terminated Air Madagascar’s partnership with Air Austral in July 2020 in a bid to find new ways to increase Air Madagascar’s flight network.
Business Customs
The legal system and business practices are based on European, particularly French, standards.
Business customs are similar to those in Europe. Meetings may be conducted over coffee or more formal meals; cocktail receptions are popular events for networking. For men, normal business wear is suit and tie. Women also wear suits for business meetings. Warmer clothes are required during the cooler months, especially in the central regions (May till October). Humidity can be high in summer, especially in the east.
Travel Advisory
The State Department consular information sheet can be found at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/madagascar-travel-advisory.html
Visa Requirements
The Economic Development Board of Madagascar (EDBM) processes work permits for expatriate workers. Investor visas, 72-hour entry visas or boarding authorization for the purpose of obtaining convertible visas, must be obtained at the Madagascar Embassy. Details of required documents can be found by clicking at https://edbm.mg/one-stop-shop/72-hour-entry-visa-or-boarding-authorisation-for-the-purpose-of-obtaining-convertible-visa/
Foreigners, including U.S. citizens, may be eligible for a resident permit after five years of residence. Investors may apply for residency without prior residency.
Foreign businesspersons seeking a visa to travel to the United States are advised to go to the link at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html
Currency
The local currency symbol is MGA, called the “Ariary”. As of July 2021, one U.S. dollar could be exchanged for approximately 3,800 MGA.
Telecommunications/Electricity
Madagascar has reliable international mail, telephone, fax, email, and internet services compared to the rest of the region.
The power supply is 220V and the common plug type is AFNOR in most hotels and restaurants.
Internet is available in hotels and at cyber cafés in major towns. There are four major cellular phone companies: Airtel, Orange, Telma, and Blueline. All of them use the GSM system.
The population has limited access to electricity - 15 percent in urban areas and only 6 percent in rural zones.
Two telecommunication companies – Telma and Blueline – have licenses to operate fiber optic networks. Madagascar has good internet speed compared to its regional peers, which compares favorably with what is available in developed countries. In recent years, call centers and BPO services have boomed in Madagascar, due in large part to access to quality internet services and low-cost qualified labor.
Transportation
Air transportation is the best way to get around Madagascar, as travel by road is both long and difficult. Tsaradia and Air Madagascar flights connect the larger regional towns to Antananarivo. Maritime transport is mainly used for transportation of goods around the island to connect to the other seaports and neighboring Indian Ocean Islands (Mauritius, Comoros, Reunion Island, Seychelles). Visitors to the capital city of Antananarivo and other major towns can hire taxi cabs relatively cheaply; however, it is worth working through reputable vendors to ensure vehicles meet minimum safety standards.
Language
Malagasy is the official language, with French used as the administrative and business language. English is rarely spoken; one should not expect ordinary citizens or officials outside the capital or major towns to speak even minimal English or French.
Health
For specific information for travelers to Madagascar, please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by visiting https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/madagascar.
Visitors are strongly urged to purchase medevac insurance prior to arrival. Local hospitals are poorly equipped and do not meet U.S. standards, especially for emergency care, and evacuation to nearby locations (Mauritius, Reunion, South Africa) is encouraged for serious illness.
Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays
The Malagasy Time Zone is Greenwich plus three. Madagascar does not use Daylight Savings Time. The typical hours of business are from 8:30 – 1700, with a lunch break between 1200 – 1300.
Government offices open 09:00 – 16:00, Monday through Friday. Businesses open 08:00-17:00; Monday through Friday/Saturday. Banks open 09:00 – 16:00; Monday through Friday; some banks are open half day on Saturday.
For 2021, Madagascar has 12 public holidays.
|
Day |
Date |
Holiday name |
Type |
Comments |
|
Friday |
January 1 |
New Year’s Day |
National holiday |
|
|
Monday |
March 29 |
Martyrs Day |
National holiday |
|
|
Monday |
April 5 |
Easter Monday |
National holiday |
|
|
Saturday |
May 1 |
Labor Day |
National holiday |
International Workers’ Day |
|
Thursday |
May 13 |
Ascension Day |
National holiday |
40 days after Easter |
|
Wednesday/Thursday |
May 12-13 |
Eid al-Fitr |
National holiday |
Date may change depending on the full moon |
|
Monday |
May 24 |
Whit Monday |
National holiday |
7th Monday after Easter |
|
Saturday |
June 26 |
Independence Day |
National holiday |
National Day |
|
Tuesday |
July 20 |
Eid Al-Adha |
National holiday |
|
|
Sunday |
August 15 |
Assumption Day |
National holiday |
|
|
Monday |
November 1 |
All Saints’ Day |
National holiday |
|
|
Saturday |
December 25 |
Christmas Day |
National holiday |
|
Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings
No duty is levied on apparel and personal effects of a passenger arriving in Madagascar. Articles that are in excess of the concessions and allowances listed below are liable for duty. A passenger 18 years old or over may bring the following goods, free of customs duties:
- Portable musical instrument
- Portable medical apparatus and wheelchair
- Portable Dialysis machine and Consumables
- 2 perfumes and 2 eaux de toilette (per passenger)
- Tobacco - 200 units of cigarettes or 100 units of cigarillos, 50 units of cigars or 250 grams of smoking tobacco
- Alcoholic drink: 2 liters per passport for each passenger +18 years old or over
- 250 grams of punched jewelry; 250 grams of costume jewelry
- 400,000Ar of banknotes denominated in local currency
- Electronic device: 1 laptop, 1 phone & tablet
- Clothing and shoes: 6 pairs of closed shoes
- 1 handheld camera, 1 handheld radio, and 1 other camera not for professional use
Travel-related resources
- U.S. Embassy Antananarivo Consular Services: https://mg.usembassy.gov/
- State Department Travel Information website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html
- Madagascar Customs website: http://www.douanes.gov.mg/particulier/voyageurs/