Successful digital transformation requires identifying challenges and implementing effective solutions. In Madagascar, key obstacles include limited infrastructure access, high connectivity costs, and a digital skills shortage.

Madagascar's Ministry of Digital Development, Posts, and Telecommunications, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), launched a Digital Readiness Assessment (DRA) on Feb. 27 in Antsirabe. This initiative aims to provide a comprehensive diagnosis of the country's digital sector and identify priority actions to address existing gaps, supporting Madagascar's goal of full integration into the digital economy.

In recent years, the has made significant progress, notably through the development of mobile money and the rise of local tech startups. However, several challenges remain. The country continues to face major structural obstacles, including limited access to digital infrastructure, high connectivity costs, and a digital skills gap.

According to DataReportal, in January 2024, the internet penetration rate in Madagascar was 20.6%, with 6.31 million users out of a total population of 30.68 million. However, this coverage remains uneven, particularly in rural areas. Regarding the cost of connectivity, the Malagasy government announced last October its intention to reduce telecommunications service tariffs to improve the population’s access to the internet. Despite these efforts, the cost of mobile internet access still represents 15.5% of the monthly gross national income (GNI) per capita, well above the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) recommendation of 2% of the monthly GNI per capita.

The digital skills gap also remains a major obstacle. The 2023-2028 Digital Strategic Plan highlights a shortage of approximately 40,000 specialized technicians needed to enable an effective digital transformation of the country. In this context, the Ministry of Digital Development has launched a program aimed at training 6,000 people in emerging digital professions over the next three years to address this urgent need.

To meet these challenges, the DRA represents a fundamental first step. This assessment is based on five key pillars: connectivity, to strengthen infrastructure and reduce the digital divide; governance, to improve coordination between sector stakeholders; regulation, to create a legal framework suited to the digital economy; businesses, to encourage innovation and technological entrepreneurship; and human capital, an investment in digital skills training.

The DRA is not limited to a simple assessment of the situation. It also serves as the basis for a strategic roadmap, aligned with Madagascar’s sustainable development priorities. Through this assessment, the country hopes to define a coherent digital vision that will not only accelerate its transformation but also help reduce inequalities in access to opportunities offered by the digital sector.

By Samira Njoya,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji