AGP Executive Report

Digital Identity & Cybersecurity: Madagascar is pushing ahead with national digital ID at scale, with new cybercrime bills submitted to parliament to strengthen the legal and institutional backbone of its identity system and improve detection and investigation of online fraud and identity theft. Women’s Digital Finance: AXIAN Group and the African Development Bank launched a programme to reach 34,000 women-led businesses in Madagascar (plus Tanzania and Senegal) using mobile money platforms, digital lending, alternative credit assessment, and training. Clean Cooking Finance: Carbon credit financing is being used to make clean cookstoves more affordable across Africa, with households shifting from charcoal to induction cooking as carbon-backed funding helps companies scale. Small-Scale Fisheries: FAO hosted a summit on sustainable small-scale fisheries, with Madagascar among ministers discussing how to protect livelihoods while improving resource management. Protest Coverage Recognition: AFP photographer Luis Tato won a top Visa Pour l’Image prize for his documentation of Madagascar’s 2025 Gen-Z protests, highlighting economic hardship and demands for political change.

Digital Identity & Cybersecurity: Madagascar is strengthening its national digital ID with new cybercrime bills submitted to parliament, aiming to secure trust as enrollment scales and to create a Digital Protection and Investigation Unit (UPIN), alongside moves to ratify the UN Convention against Cybercrime. Women’s Digital Finance: AXIAN Group and the African Development Bank launched a programme to reach 34,000 women-led businesses in Madagascar, Tanzania and Senegal via MVola and Mixx, combining digital lending, alternative credit assessment, financial literacy and business support, with training for 25,000 women across five more countries. Clean Cooking Finance: Carbon credit financing is being positioned as a major lever to expand affordable clean cooking across Africa, underwriting cleaner stoves so households can switch from charcoal/firewood—an approach tied to emission-reduction revenue. Photojournalism & Protest Coverage: AFP photographer Luis Tato won Visa d’Or News for his coverage of Madagascar’s 2025 Gen-Z protests, highlighting youth demands over public services, corruption and economic hardship. Small-Scale Fisheries Sustainability: FAO hosted a summit in Rome with Madagascar among key participants, focusing on sustainable management and implementation of the SSF Guidelines for livelihoods and food security. Business/Trade Note: Madagascar also appears in a safeguard investigation on certain types of rice, signaling scrutiny of imports and market impacts.

Digital Finance for Women: AXIAN Group and the African Development Bank launched a programme to deliver digital financial services to 34,000 women-led businesses in Madagascar, Tanzania and Senegal, using mobile money (MVola/Mixx) plus digital lending, financial literacy and business support—aiming to close a $49bn financing gap. National Digital ID & Cybersecurity: Madagascar is strengthening its national digital identity with new cybercrime bills submitted to parliament, including plans for a Digital Protection and Investigation Unit and moves to ratify the UN Convention against Cybercrime to better tackle fraud and identity theft. Small-Scale Fisheries Focus: FAO hosted a summit in Rome on sustainability for small-scale fisheries, with Madagascar among the ministers discussing how to protect livelihoods and food security. International Spotlight on Protests: AFP photographer Luis Tato won Visa d’Or News for coverage of Madagascar’s 2025 Gen-Z protests, highlighting youth demands over public services, corruption and economic hardship. Business & Trade Context: A wider regional look at political party proliferation across Southern Africa underscores how registration rules can distort the real picture of competition—relevant backdrop for governance and investment confidence.

Digital Finance for Women: AXIAN Group and the African Development Bank launched a digital finance programme to reach 34,000 women-led businesses across Madagascar, Tanzania and Senegal, using mobile money (MVola/Mixx), digital lending, alternative credit assessment, and training, with a second component training 25,000 women across five countries. National Digital ID & Cybersecurity: Madagascar is strengthening its national digital identity push as enrollment expands, with new cybercrime bills submitted to parliament to modernize the legal framework, ratify the UN Convention against Cybercrime, and set up a Digital Protection and Investigation Unit. FAO Small-Scale Fisheries Summit: The FAO hosted a Rome summit on sustainability for small-scale fisheries, with Madagascar among participating ministers, highlighting the sector’s role in food security and livelihoods. Press Freedom & Protest Coverage: AFP photographer Luis Tato won a top prize for his Madagascar protest coverage, spotlighting Gen-Z demonstrations over public services, corruption and economic hardship. Business & Economy Context: A new analysis discusses “state capture” in Madagascar—how political and business networks can reshape rules to serve private interests—framing what may come next after the upheaval.

Digital Identity & Cybersecurity: Madagascar is strengthening its national digital ID by submitting two cybercrime bills to parliament, aiming to secure trust as enrollment scales and to create a Digital Protection and Investigation Unit (UPIN), alongside plans to ratify the UN Convention against Cybercrime. Women’s Finance Push: AXIAN and the AfDB launched a digital finance programme for 34,000 women-led businesses, using AXIAN platforms Mixx and MVola to expand access to digital lending, financial literacy, and digital skills—starting with Madagascar, Tanzania and Senegal, with training later reaching Togo and Comoros too. Business & Trade Spotlight: A separate report notes Madagascar’s safeguard investigation into certain types of rice, signaling tighter scrutiny on imports and market practices. Global Economy Context: The week also carried broader coverage on Africa’s critical minerals and supply chains, and on identity/age-assurance infrastructure trends that connect directly to how countries build trusted digital services. Media & Public Interest: AFP photographer Luis Tato won a top prize for Madagascar protest coverage, highlighting ongoing attention on economic hardship and public-service failures.

Digital ID & Cybersecurity: Madagascar is pushing its national digital identity forward by submitting two cybercrime bills to parliament, aiming to strengthen the legal and institutional base for the ID rollout and set up a Digital Protection and Investigation Unit (UPIN). Digital Finance for Women: AfDB and AXIAN launched a digital finance programme to support 34,000 women-led enterprises in Madagascar (plus Tanzania and Senegal) and train 25,000 women across five countries, using AXIAN platforms Mixx and Mvola. Trade & Food Safety: Madagascar launched a safeguard investigation on certain types of rice, signaling tighter scrutiny over imports and market impacts. Business & Infrastructure (Regional): ICTSI signed an agreement to acquire South Africa’s The Logistics Group (TLG), expanding cargo-handling and logistics reach across Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa. Climate Risk to Households: UNICEF warns El Niño could affect children across Eastern and Southern Africa, listing Madagascar among 13 countries facing threats to nutrition, health, water, schooling and safety.

Digital ID & Cybersecurity: Madagascar is strengthening its national digital identity by submitting two cybercrime bills to parliament, aiming to modernize the legal framework, tackle online fraud and identity theft, and set up a Digital Protection and Investigation Unit (UPIN) as enrollment scales. Digital Public Infrastructure Governance: Co-Develop and Caribou released a practitioner guide for multistakeholder governance in digital public infrastructure, arguing that trust and adoption depend on early problem-mapping and coalition building across the ID, payments and data-sharing lifecycle. Regional Digital Finance for Women: AfDB and AXIAN launched a digital finance programme to support 34,000 women-led enterprises in Madagascar, Tanzania and Senegal, plus training for 25,000 women across five countries, using AXIAN platforms Mixx and Mvola. Identity-to-Payments Tech: Socure is integrating Aeropay into RiskOS, linking identity verification with bank account connection and payment risk decisions in a single flow—an approach that could influence how fintechs design onboarding. El Niño Risks in Madagascar: UNICEF warns that expected El Niño impacts could affect children across Eastern and Southern Africa, listing Madagascar among the countries facing threats to nutrition, health, water access, education and safety.

Women’s Finance Push: AfDB and AXIAN launched a digital finance programme to support 34,000 women-led businesses across Madagascar, Tanzania, Senegal, Togo and Comoros, combining digital lending with financial literacy and business training. Trade & Compliance: Madagascar’s ANMCC opened a safeguard investigation on certain rice imports, setting a 30-day window for interested parties to register and 30 business days to return questionnaires, with possible public hearings. Critical Minerals & Value-Add: While not Madagascar-specific, the region’s mining push is highlighted by Tanzania’s heavy mineral sands pipeline (Dar es Salaam and Tanga) aimed at exporting processed products—an approach Madagascar can watch for lessons. Climate Risk to Children: UNICEF warns El Niño could affect 162+ million children across eastern and southern Africa, explicitly including Madagascar, with threats to nutrition, health, water, and schooling. Rare Earth Supply Chain: Energy Fuels’ acquisition of Australian Strategic Materials adds rare-earth processing capacity, underscoring the wider scramble for downstream links beyond mining. Business & Infrastructure: ICTSI signed an agreement to acquire South Africa’s The Logistics Group (TLG), signaling continued expansion of cargo-handling and logistics services across southern Africa.

Trade & Logistics: ICTSI plans to buy South Africa’s The Logistics Group (TLG), expanding its port, rail, warehousing and digital logistics footprint across Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa. Trade Policy: Madagascar’s ANMCC has opened a safeguard investigation on certain types of rice, with a 30-day window for interested parties to register and 30 business days to submit questionnaires. Women’s Finance: AfDB and AXIAN’s AXIAN Women’s Finance program will roll out in Madagascar (plus Tanzania, Senegal, Togo and Comoros) via Mixx and Mvola, combining digital lending with financial literacy and business support for tens of thousands of women-led SMEs. Critical Minerals & Investment: The U.S. DFC announced financing for Madagascar’s Ampasindava ionic clay rare-earth project, aiming to strengthen rare-earth supply chains for permanent magnets. Climate Risk to Children: UNICEF warns El Niño could affect children across eastern and southern Africa, naming Madagascar among 13 countries facing worsening drought, heat, flooding and disrupted learning. Health Funding Pressure: A report says Madagascar is among countries facing steep U.S. health aid cuts through 2030, tied to co-financing requirements.

Rare-Earth Finance: The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) approved financing for Harena Rare Earths to advance Madagascar’s Ampasindava Ionic Clay Rare Earth Project, aiming to strengthen non-China supply chains for magnet metals used in EVs, defense and renewables. Climate Risk for Children: UNICEF warns that El Niño’s intensifying droughts, heat and floods could put 162+ million children across eastern and southern Africa at risk, with Madagascar named among the most exposed countries. Education Support: A trust company Bourse-backed project funded the renovation of Antsimondrano Public Primary School in Madagascar, expanding capacity and fixing broken infrastructure. Sports & Travel: FC Rouge arrived in Zambia for the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round first leg against Red Arrows, with the match set for 5 September. Maritime Economy Angle: Coverage highlights how Madagascar sits within a wider Western Indian Ocean trade and security picture, where shipping disruptions can quickly ripple into costs and supply chains.

US-Backed Health Cuts: A new analysis says U.S. MOUs under the “America First Global Health Strategy” could slash health funding for 18 low-income countries by about $2 billion by 2030, with Madagascar flagged for a 77% reduction and steep co-financing demands that may be hard to meet. Climate Risk for Children: UNICEF warns over 162 million children across eastern and southern Africa are in areas vulnerable to the intensifying 2026-2027 El Niño, including Madagascar, as drought, heat, flooding and disrupted services threaten nutrition, health, schooling and safe water. Rare Earth Push in Madagascar: The U.S. DFC announced financing for Harena Rare Earths to advance the Ampasindava ionic clay rare earth project in Madagascar, aiming to strengthen critical minerals supply chains for permanent magnets. Fuel Import Pressure on the State: Coverage highlights that Malagasy billionaire Hassanein Hiridjee has lost a 27-year fuel import arrangement with the state, underscoring ongoing pressure on Madagascar’s energy supply deals. Football & Travel: FC Rouge arrived in Zambia for CAF Confederation Cup action against Red Arrows, with the club targeting a positive result after a tough preparation run. Business & Trade Signals: Separate reporting notes ICTSI’s move to acquire TLG to expand cargo-handling across Southern Africa, pointing to continued investment in regional logistics.

Rare Earth Push: The U.S. DFC announced new financing for Harena Rare Earths to advance Madagascar’s Ampasindava Ionic Clay Rare Earth Project, aiming to build a stronger supply chain for magnet metals used in EVs, renewables and defense. Fuel Market Shake-up: Madagascar’s state has started importing fuel directly for JIRAMA, ending decades of tender coordination by private distributors linked to the Groupement Pétrolier de Madagascar, with the first cargo arriving Aug. 12 at Toamasina. Regional Peace Agenda: AU leaders, including President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, met in Luanda to strengthen Africa’s conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms, citing crises affecting the continent including Madagascar. Maritime Security Watch: Coverage highlights how small, unregistered vessels enable sea crimes and trafficking across East Africa’s shipping lanes, underscoring risks for regional trade routes. Health Policy Angle: WHO marked African Traditional Medicine Day with calls for more investment in research, regulation and innovation to help traditional care support universal health coverage.

Fuel Import Overhaul: Madagascar has moved fuel importing for JIRAMA away from four private distributors after Law No. 021/2026, with the first cargo under the new system arriving Aug. 12 via the Sunda 1 diesel shipment—67 million litres—negotiated with Nigeria’s Sahara Group, covering about six months of JIRAMA needs. Energy & Trade: Energy Fuels says it has completed its acquisition of Australian Strategic Materials, adding rare-earth metals and alloy capacity via ASM’s Korean Metals Plant in Ochang, supporting a mine-to-magnet supply chain. Regional Shipping & Security: A report highlights how small, unregistered vessels enable sea crimes, while another details the growing use of false-flag shipping and the scale of maritime fraud. Health Policy: WHO marks African Traditional Medicine Day (Aug. 31) urging more investment in research, regulation and innovation to help traditional medicine contribute to universal health coverage. Governance & Peace: AU leaders in Luanda called for urgent reforms to Africa’s peace and security architecture, citing hotspots including Madagascar. Poverty Snapshot: World Bank figures put Madagascar at 69.2% of people living below the $3-a-day extreme poverty line.

Fuel Import Shake-up: Madagascar has started buying fuel for JIRAMA directly under Law No. 021/2026, ending the long-running role of four private distributors under the Groupement Pétrolier de Madagascar; the first cargo (Sunda 1) delivered 67 million litres of diesel to Toamasina, covering about six months. Rare-Earth Supply Chain Push: Energy Fuels says it has completed its acquisition of Australian Strategic Materials, adding a South Korea rare-earth metals and alloy plant (including NdFeB alloy) to build a mine-to-magnet chain. Port & Logistics Expansion: ICTSI signed an agreement to acquire TLG (bulk and agricultural cargo handling) across South Africa, Mozambique and Namibia, expanding beyond container terminals. Health Policy Angle: WHO marked African Traditional Medicine Day with calls for more investment in research, regulation and innovation to help traditional medicine support universal health coverage. AU Peace Agenda: AU leaders in Luanda discussed reforms to Africa’s peace and security architecture, including stronger conflict prevention and early warning, with Madagascar cited among instability hotspots.

Fuel Market Shake-up: Madagascar ended decades of fuel imports via private distributors, with the state procurement agency now buying for JIRAMA after Law No. 021/2026; the first new-system cargo (67 million litres of diesel) arrived Aug. 12 at Toamasina, negotiated with Nigeria’s Sahara Group. Billionaire Fallout: The same reform effectively breaks a long-running 27-year fuel import arrangement tied to Malagasy billionaire Hassanein Hiridjee’s Axian-linked Jovena, after the Constitutional Court upheld the change. Mining & Industry: Ambatovy’s nickel operations near Moramanga highlight how process measurement and industrial tech are being adapted to Madagascar’s cyclones and humidity swings. Trade & Ports: ICTSI signed to acquire 100% of TLG Acquisition Holdings, expanding port and cargo handling across Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa—an Africa trade corridor signal for regional logistics. Health Funding Pressure: A report on US global health MOUs flags potential underspending that could cut funding to Madagascar by about 77% by 2030, raising risks for care access. AU Peace Agenda: AU leaders in Luanda pushed reforms to Africa’s conflict prevention and early-warning systems, citing crises including Madagascar alongside Sudan, DRC and Somalia. Poverty Snapshot: New World Bank figures place Madagascar at 69.2% of people below the $3-a-day extreme poverty line.

Fuel Market Shake-Up: Madagascar’s state procurement took over JIRAMA fuel imports from four private distributors after Law No. 021/2026, with the first direct cargo arriving Aug. 12 (67 million litres of diesel at Toamasina). Billionaire Business Fallout: The change ended a long-running arrangement tied to Axian’s fuel arm Jovena, after the Constitutional Court upheld the shift. AU Peace & Security: AU leaders in Luanda urged urgent reforms to Africa’s conflict prevention system, citing crises including Sudan, eastern DRC, Somalia, the Sahel, Libya, northern Mozambique and Madagascar. Extreme Poverty Snapshot: A World Bank ranking puts Madagascar at 69.2% of people living below $3/day, among the highest in the region. Mining & Industry: Ambatovy’s nickel operations highlight how precise measurement and process coordination help manage cyclone-prone conditions near Moramanga. Maritime Risks: A report explains how “false flag” vessels use AIS and fraudulent registries to evade scrutiny—an issue tied to wider trade and security pressures.