Русский
Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with Madagascar’s interim president, Michael Randrianirina, in Moscow. Putin noted that the two countries have many promising areas of cooperation, including agriculture, geological exploration, energy, medicine, healthcare, and education, saying that “Many students from Madagascar have already received higher education in Russia and are highly qualified.”
President Randrianirina emphasized Madagascar’s readiness to expand collaboration. “Madagascar is pleased to cooperate in the social, healthcare, and educational sectors, as well as in energy and hydrocarbons, infrastructure development, and, of course, military matters,” he said, adding that the African country is “ready to move to the next stage.”
Madagascar has recently been struck by two highly destructive cyclones that caused deaths and widespread damage. The storms affected around 424,000 people and displaced over 16,000, with the government declaring a state of national disaster on February 14.
In response, Russia has delivered essential humanitarian equipment to the island nation, including an MI-8 helicopter, trucks, and other supplies to support disaster relief operations. Additional deliveries of food and humanitarian aid are expected in the coming days, according to the Russian Embassy in Madagascar.
Diplomatic relations between Russia and Madagascar were established in 1972. Russia maintains an embassy in Antananarivo, while Madagascar is represented through its embassy in Moscow.
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.
Bilateral trade is currently running at about US$500 million, with Russia exporting polymers and grain and Madagascar exporting mainly cloves. The Madagascan and Russian foreign ministers exchanged views on trade development at the Russia-Africa summit in Sochi last year, with both nations expressing interest in developing trade.
Russia is boosting its diplomatic presence throughout Africa and is redeploying diplomats previously based in Europe to the African continent.
