Русский
Discussions between Russia and Madagascar are giving new impetus to bilateral relations and will deepen cooperation across all areas, according to Malagasy Foreign Minister Alice N’Diaye. She has been meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.
N’Diaye added that recent high-level contacts between the two countries, including the recent visit of Madagascar’s president, Michael Randrianirina, to Russia, demonstrate Antananarivo’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Moscow.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding political dialogue and strategic cooperation and highlighted opportunities for closer collaboration in energy, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, and education, as well as the extraction and processing of mineral resources. Lavrov also pointed to prospects in transport and geological exploration and pledged continued support for Madagascar in addressing socio-economic challenges, including through the training of national specialists and assistance in developing the country’s epidemic-response capabilities.
He noted that Russia delivered another batch of humanitarian aid to Madagascar on June 9 to help the country deal with the aftermath of Cyclones Fitia and Gezani.
Education was another focus of the talks. Madagascar’s Foreign Ministry and Russia’s MGIMO University signed a memorandum of cooperation aimed at expanding training opportunities for Malagasy diplomats and civil servants.
“There is interest in such internships at our diplomatic academy, and we will support it in every possible way and strive to meet the expectations of our friends” Lavrov said.
He added that Moscow’s approach remains focused on supporting African sovereignty and economic self-sufficiency and stated that Western countries have profited from Africa’s natural resources while doing little to promote local industrial development, contrasting this with the Soviet Union’s role in building industries, education systems, and healthcare infrastructure across the continent. He also noted that “France maintains an illegal presence on islands that belong to Madagascar.”
The meeting comes amid growing engagement between Moscow and Antananarivo. Security ties have also expanded in recent months. On June 16, instructors from the Russian Africa Corps completed a six-week training program for Madagascar’s Cabinet security service.
Madagascar is a signatory of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which eliminates tariffs on 90% of goods, fostering intra-African trade and industrialization. Madagascar is also a member of COMESA and SADC, which promote economic integration and reduced trade barriers within Eastern and Southern Africa. The country adheres to international trade standards as part of the World Trade Organization (WTO), benefiting from access to global markets. Madagascar is a founding member of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), focusing on regional cooperation for trade and development.
With a population of about 32 million, Madagascar has a GDP (PPP) of around US$57 billion, a GDP per capita (PPP) of US$2,877, and projected GDP growth of 4% in 2026.
According to the Federal Center for Agroexport, Russia has resumed wheat exports to Madagascar after an almost complete halt in 2025. In the first five months of 2026, Russia exported more than 30,000 tons of wheat to the island, worth over US$7 million. The resumption of wheat exports to Madagascar is important for the Russian grain industry, which aims to expand its export geography.
Following a joint press conference with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar, Lavrov made a direct statement: Both sides agree that trade and economic cooperation should be significantly expanded.
Russia is boosting its diplomatic presence throughout Africa and is redeploying diplomats previously based in Europe to the African continent.
