AGP Executive Report

Russia Ties and Recruitment: Ukraine intelligence material cited by Bloomberg says Russia has begun recruiting in Madagascar for its war in Ukraine, amid broader concerns that Africans are being lured with false job offers. President Michaël Randrianirina is due to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Oct. 29, as Madagascar deepens ties with Russia; the education minister also says officials are learning Russian at the president’s request. Corruption and Accountability: The president has ordered ministers to explain their anti-corruption work on national television, while corruption cases involving a former president and officials have reportedly been suspended.

Russia Ties: President Michael Randrianirina is due to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Oct. 29, as reports say Madagascar has become a new target for Russian military recruitment. Ukrainian intelligence cited by Bloomberg says recruitment began after the 2025 coup and closer military ties; a separate UN inquiry found people from 29 countries were deceived or coerced into Russia’s armed forces. Government Accountability: Madagascar’s president has ordered ministers to explain their anti-corruption efforts on national television, while separate reports say corruption cases involving former President Andry Rajoelina and other officials have been paused. Closer Moscow Links: The education minister says Randrianirina has asked government officials to learn Russian, citing expanding cooperation between the countries.

Russia Ties: Madagascar’s expanding military relationship with Moscow faces new scrutiny: a Bloomberg report citing Ukrainian intelligence says Russia has begun recruiting Malagasy nationals for its war in Ukraine. The report follows Russian weapons deliveries and troop training after the 2025 coup. President Michaël Randrianirina has also asked ministers to learn Russian, and is due to meet Vladimir Putin at this week’s Russia-Africa summit. Anti-Corruption Drive: Randrianirina has ordered ministers to explain their anti-corruption plans on national television and take questions from citizens, amid an investigation into the irregular release of Chinese cybercrime suspects from prison. Separately, corruption cases involving a former president and other officials have been suspended.

Anti-corruption: President Michaël Randrianirina has ordered every minister to present anti-corruption plans on national television and answer public questions. The directive comes amid an inquiry into the unexplained release of 11 Chinese cybercrime suspects; 15 people are in custody, while the justice minister denies accusations of involvement. Former officials: Separately, corruption cases involving a former president and other officials have reportedly been suspended, raising questions about the government’s anti-graft drive. Diplomacy and investment: Madagascar’s prime minister joined leaders at the World Investment Forum in Doha, where officials discussed boosting investment in developing economies. Madagascar is also among the countries confirmed for the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow on October 28–29.

Anti-Corruption Push: President Michaël Randrianirina has ordered ministers to explain their anti-corruption plans live on national television, with citizens invited to ask questions. The move comes amid scrutiny over the release of Chinese cybercrime suspects and accusations of official interference, which the justice minister denies. Corruption Cases: Separately, cases involving a former president and other officials have been suspended, raising questions about the country’s efforts to pursue past allegations. Aviation Scrutiny: Reports are examining five Boeing 777s linked to Madagascar’s power elite and Iran, in a story framed around corruption allegations. Diplomacy: Madagascar’s prime minister is attending the World Investment Forum in Doha, where leaders are discussing investment in developing economies.

Anti-Corruption Drive: President Michaël Randrianirina has ordered every minister to explain their anti-corruption plans live on national television, with citizens invited to ask questions. The order comes amid an inquiry into the secret release of 11 Chinese nationals jailed for online fraud; 15 people are in custody, while allegations that the justice minister ordered the releases remain disputed. Corruption Cases: The government has also suspended cases involving former president Andry Rajoelina and other officials. Separately, a trial over five Boeing 777s allegedly routed to Iran using Malagasy registrations is due to begin in Antananarivo. Businessman Mamy Ravatomanga, held in Mauritius, denies money-laundering and influence-peddling allegations. Russia-Africa Summit: Madagascar is among the countries confirming attendance at the Moscow summit on October 28–29, where leaders are expected to discuss cooperation with Russia.

Anti-corruption drive: President Michaël Randrianirina has ordered every minister to present anti-corruption plans live on national television and take questions from citizens. The move comes amid a scandal over the release of 11 Chinese nationals jailed for cyber fraud; 15 people are in custody, while the justice minister denies accusations that she ordered the releases. Corruption cases: Reports say proceedings involving former president Andry Rajoelina and other officials have been suspended. Separately, a trial over five Boeing 777s routed to Iran using Malagasy registrations is due to begin in Antananarivo, with ex-Rajoelina ally Mamy Ravatomanga among the defendants; he denies wrongdoing. Regional diplomacy: Madagascar is among the countries that have confirmed participation in the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow on October 28–29.

Corruption Cases: Madagascar has paused proceedings involving former president Andry Rajoelina and other ex-officials while the High Constitutional Court decides whether the courts have jurisdiction. The complaints include alleged misappropriation of 36 kilograms of gold and suspected irregularities in school-furniture contracts. Boeing 777 Probe: A separate trial due to begin Tuesday in Antananarivo centers on businessman Mamy Ravatomanga, a former Rajoelina ally accused of money laundering and influence peddling over five aircraft temporarily registered in Madagascar before flying to Iran. Ravatomanga denies wrongdoing; his lawyers dispute allegations that he received €5 million from the operation.

Aircraft Corruption Trial: A trial opening in Antananarivo puts businessman Mamy Ravatomanga, an ally of former president Andry Rajoelina, at the centre of allegations over five Boeing 777s routed to Iran using temporary Malagasy registrations. Ravatomanga, held in Mauritius, denies money laundering and influence-peddling claims. Anti-Corruption Cases: Proceedings against Rajoelina, former prime minister Christian Ntsay and other officials are on hold while the High Constitutional Court decides whether the anti-corruption unit has jurisdiction. The complaints include alleged diversion of 36 kilograms of state gold and irregular school-furniture contracts. Gold Oversight: A New York Times investigation says Madagascar’s purchases for a national gold reserve included metal traced to a company where reporters saw children working, raising fresh questions about sourcing and oversight.

Anti-Corruption Cases: Madagascar’s Anti-Corruption Unit has paused proceedings naming former president Andry Rajoelina, former prime minister Christian Ntsay and other officials while the High Constitutional Court decides whether it has jurisdiction. Allegations include the misappropriation of 36 kilograms of gold and irregular school-furniture contracts; the pause is not a ruling on guilt. Russia Ties: Malagasy troops have completed Russian-led training on armoured vehicles, while a Russian-backed journalism school is due to open in Antananarivo on 20 November. The developments extend cooperation in security and media training. Regional Diplomacy: Prime Minister Mamitiana Rajaonarison is expected at the World Investment Forum in Doha from 25 to 27 October, where global investment and economic recovery are on the agenda.

Corruption Cases: Madagascar’s Anti-Corruption Unit has suspended proceedings over complaints naming former president Andry Rajoelina and former prime minister Christian Ntsay, pending a High Constitutional Court ruling on jurisdiction. The allegations include the disappearance of 36 kilograms of gold and suspected misuse of public funds in school furniture contracts. Security Ties: Malagasy troops have completed Russian-led training to operate infantry fighting vehicles and armoured personnel carriers, as both countries highlighted closer military cooperation. Media and Influence: A journalism school organised by Russian news agency African Initiative is due to open at the Russian House in Madagascar on November 20, offering ten in-person sessions. Youth Protests: A report on global demonstrations cites Madagascar among countries that have seen youth-led protests in the past year.

Security Ties: Malagasy troops completed training to operate infantry fighting vehicles and armoured personnel carriers at a ceremony attended by senior military officials and Russian representatives, underscoring closer security cooperation. Russian Outreach: A journalism school backed by the Russian news agency African Initiative is due to open at the Russian House in Madagascar on November 20, with ten in-person sessions for journalists. Political Fallout: Coverage marked one year since Madagascar’s uprising and examined Russia’s influence; meanwhile, a worsening hunger crisis leaves 3.7 million people facing food insecurity. Climate Warning: The UN says an exceptionally strong El Niño could intensify heat and drought. Southern Madagascar, already shown with parched land, faces heightened risks. Digital Policy: GSMA says reforms could connect about 1.13 million more people to mobile internet and add MGA 4.1 trillion to the economy by 2031.

Climate and Food Security: The UN warned that El Niño could reach unprecedented strength. The alert comes as Madagascar faces deepening drought and food insecurity, with 3.7 million people reported at risk of hunger. Political Aftermath: Coverage marking one year since Madagascar’s uprising renewed attention to Russia’s influence in the country. Digital Policy: The GSMA says reforms could connect 1.13 million more people to mobile internet and add MGA 4.1 trillion to GDP by 2031.

Russian Presence: Investigators say Russian cargo ships carrying military exports to Africa have called at Madagascar, part of a wider network linked to Moscow’s security ties on the continent. Digital Policy: A GSMA report says reforms to smartphone affordability, rural coverage, mobile taxes and digital services could connect 1.13 million more people to mobile internet and add MGA 4.1 trillion to GDP by 2031. Gold Oversight: A New York Times investigation says the London Bullion Market Association helped alter and backdate paperwork certifying Malagasy gold as responsibly sourced, raising questions about oversight in the gold trade. Political Fallout: A review of global youth protests notes that Madagascar’s 2025 mobilization helped dissolve the government, underscoring how young people have challenged political institutions. Food Insecurity: Some 3.7 million people in Madagascar face hunger, according to a recent report.

Innovation and Governance: Madagascar climbed seven places to 113th in the 2026 Global Innovation Index, with the report pointing to governance, education and research as keys to sustaining progress. Digital Policy: GSMA says reforms to lower smartphone costs, expand rural networks, change mobile-sector taxes and boost digital services could connect 1.13 million more people to mobile internet and add MGA 4.1 trillion to GDP by 2031. Uprising and Foreign Influence: Anniversary coverage revisits last year’s youth uprising, which helped bring down the government, and examines Russia’s growing influence in Madagascar. Economic Pressure: Separate reports put 20.1 million people in Madagascar in extreme poverty and warn that 3.7 million face food insecurity.

Political Transition: One year after Gen Z protests toppled Andry Rajoelina, anniversary reporting says promised change remains limited. President Michael Randrianirina’s government has also seen a rapid expansion of Russian networks, according to an investigation tracking Moscow’s military, political and economic ties on the island. Digital Policy: GSMA says reforms to make smartphones more affordable, extend rural networks, adjust mobile-sector taxes and boost digital services could connect 1.13 million more people to mobile internet and add MGA 4.1 trillion to GDP by 2031. Food Security: About 3.7 million people face acute food insecurity, including 426,000 in critical conditions, as drought and El Niño cut harvests and push up food prices. The shortfall is driving more rice imports and pressure on foreign-exchange reserves.