Cape Town – French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to arrive in Madagascar on Wednesday, April 23rd for a two-day state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and strengthening France’s role in the Indian Ocean region. The visit will be on Northern Northern Resort Island, prior to participating in the Indian Ocean Commission (COI) Summit on April 24th.
This aims to show France’s continued interest in Macron’s second visit to Madagascar as president and deepen diplomatic and economic partnerships across the Indian Ocean. The COI Summit brings together heads of state in the island nations, including Comoros, Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar, focusing on food self-sufficiency and local development, climate resilience, sustainable development and local safety.
Macron and Madagascar President Andri LaJolina are expected to hold bilateral discussions on agreements that are likely to be signed in areas such as energy, education, healthcare and infrastructure.
Macron will also visit Soalano Station in Antananarivo and meet with business leaders in France and Malagasy to discuss investment opportunities and economic collaboration.
Following engagement in Madagascar, Macron heads to Mauritius, marking the first visit to the island nation by the French president. His wider regional tour shows new strategic emphasis by France on overseas territories and neighbouring partners in the Indian Ocean.
