# Corruption in Madagascar

Political corruption :
Forms and concepts :
Abuse of power
Bribery
Censorship
Political repression
Political violence
Cronyism
Economics of corruption
Election interference
Electoral fraud
Elite capture
Influence peddling
Insider trading
Iron triangle
Judicial
Kleptocracy
In local government
Mafia state
Malfeasance
Misfeasance
Nepotism
Politically exposed person
Pyrrhic defeat theory
Revolving door
Slush fund
Simony
Suspicious activity report
State capture
State-corporate crime
Throffer :
Anti-corruption :
International Anti-Corruption Court
Group of States Against Corruption
International Anti-Corruption Academy
International Anti-Corruption Day
United Nations Convention against Corruption :
Corruption by country :
vte :
Corruption in Madagascar is pervasive and is exacerbated by political instability and poverty. In 2024, Madagascar ranked 140th out of 180 territories in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index.

## Network of corruption

The severity of the high-level corruption in Madagascar has been highlighted by the case of former Prime Minister Jean Ravelonarivo. In 2021, he was found guilty of corruption and was punished with five years imprisonment and a fine of 6 billion ariary or about $1.5 million. The charges involved fraudulent contracts and the embezzlement of funds, which he committed during his term (2015-2016). He did not serve time in prison because he fled to Switzerland after he was convicted. Aside from Ravelonarivo, other officials were also involved and had to leave the country to avoid prosecution. These include Raoul Arizaka Rabekoto, who was a director of the state company during Ravelonarivo’s administration. These cases highlight the level of corruption and public malfeasance in Madagascar. Despite attempts to deal with the problem, it still persists and continues to undermine the development and effective governance of the country.
The systemic nature of corruption in Madagascar can also be demonstrated in the case of the natural resource industry. For example, artisanal gold mining is controlled by traders in collusion with government officials. The process of granting mining licenses is also noted for being arbitrary and discretionary, allowing for corruption to flourish.
Smuggling is also a significant source of public malfeasance in Madagascar, exploiting the country's weak rule of law. Organized smuggling syndicates operate extensive networks, trafficking valuable resources such as rosewood — which is highly sought after in China — and engaging in wildlife trafficking. These illicit activities are deeply intertwined with patronage networks that reach into the highest levels of political power. The substantial profits generated by these criminal enterprises are subsequently laundered through both Madagascar's formal financial system and informal channels.

## Corruption and political instability

After Madagascar gained its independence from France in 1960, it endured a series of military coups and political crises. This created political instability that continues to hamper the subsequent attempts to reduce corruption in the public sector. Protracted conflicts and political crises have weakened state institutions, crippling the enforcement of anti-corruption measures. This is further aggravated by the lack of strong governance structures that make it challenging to hold those guilty of malfeasance accountable. In 2013, there was a return to democratic elections and some semblance of stability began to emerge but government corruption still exists.

## Legal and institutional frameworks

Madagascar addresses its corruption problem through the following frameworks:
* Independent Anti-Corruption Bureau (BIANCO): This is the primary anti-corruption agency in Madagascar and is mandated to investigate corruption cases, raise awareness about corruption and its risks, and advise the government on anti-corruption policies.
* Legislations: There are various laws that criminalize corruption, including bribery, embezzlement, and influence peddling. There are also existing laws that mandate the declaration of assets for public officials. These legal mechanisms have been criticized due to the inconsistency of their enforcement.

## International rankings

In Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, Madagascar scored 26 on a scale from 0 ("highly corrupt") to 100 ("very clean"). When ranked by score, Madagascar ranked 140th among the 180 countries in the Index, where the country ranked first is perceived to have the most honest public sector. For comparison with regional scores, the average score among sub-Saharan African countries was 33. The highest score in sub-Saharan Africa was 72 and the lowest score was 8. For comparison with worldwide scores, the best score was 90 (ranked 1), the average score was 43, and the worst score was 8 (ranked 180).