• Madagascar lawmakers have requested the expansion of telecom networks in underserved areas as the country faces a major digital divide, with about 80% of the population offline in 2024, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
• Digital Development Minister Mahefa Andriamampiadana said lawmakers submitted 562 requests for network expansion, with 146 local administrative areas already receiving solutions.
• The government’s telecom expansion program targets 108 districts, 935 communes and 3,844 fokontany, but authorities have not provided a detailed deployment timeline.

Madagascar’s lawmakers have urged the government to expand telecom coverage in areas that remain disconnected from mobile and digital networks. The initiative aims to improve access to telecommunications services and reduce the country’s persistent digital divide.

The lawmakers raised local communities’ concerns during a meeting with Mahefa Andriamampiadana, the minister in charge of Digital Development, Posts and Telecommunications (MNDPT). According to the minister, lawmakers have submitted 562 requests for telecom coverage expansion, highlighting the scale of connectivity needs across Madagascar. The government has already implemented solutions in 146 fokontany, the country’s smallest administrative units, and it plans to continue expanding coverage gradually.

The national program targets 108 districts, 935 communes and 3,844 fokontany, according to the ministry. Andriamampiadana said the government will prioritize locations that have no telecom network or only limited coverage. The minister also emphasized the importance of cooperation with lawmakers to identify communities that require urgent intervention. “The collaboration with deputies is essential to accurately identify the localities that need priority support,” Andriamampiadana said.

The government expects this approach to improve the efficiency of telecom infrastructure deployment by directing investments toward the areas with the largest connectivity gaps.

The telecom expansion initiative comes as Madagascar continues to lag behind regional averages in digital access. According to data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), around 80% of Madagascar’s population did not use the Internet in 2024.

The country’s 4G network covered 34.6% of the population in 2024, compared with an average of 75.2% across Africa. Meanwhile, 2G coverage reached 88.5% of the population in 2023, while 3G coverage stood at 69.2% in 2024. In terms of usage, Madagascar recorded an estimated 20% Internet penetration rate in 2024, compared with 44.4% mobile phone penetration. These figures show that while basic mobile connectivity has expanded, access to high-speed Internet services remains limited.

However, the implementation of the expansion program faces several uncertainties, particularly regarding the deployment schedule. Authorities said they will roll out the infrastructure progressively based on available funding and technical criteria. They did not provide further details on the specific conditions that will determine deployment priorities.

The government must also address challenges linked to electricity access in targeted areas. In addition, authorities need to ensure that communities can effectively use digital services once networks become available. This requires access to compatible devices, affordable telecom offers from operators and stronger basic digital skills among users. 

Source: Agence Ecofin