This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Madagascar. For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s Madagascar country page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password.

Travel Advisory

The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Madagascar at Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased caution due to crime. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

Crime Threats 

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Antananarivo as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Accurate government statistics on crime rates are not available. Most crimes coming to the attention of the Embassy involving U.S. citizens are thefts and robberies. Skilled pickpockets are very active in downtown Antananarivo. They primarily target purses, jewelry, or mobile phones for financial gain; there have been no reports of the reuse of stolen identification. Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind.

Reports of more serious crimes (e.g. home invasions) involving U.S. citizens are increasing, especially in areas with limited police/gendarme presence. While there were numerous reports of residential break-ins and home invasions in recent years, the majority appear to involve Malagasy households.

The U.S. Embassy has received an increasing (though still relatively small) number of reports of physical attacks, armed robberies, and home invasions against foreigners, particularly in Antananarivo, other large cities, and coastal tourist areas. Some of these attacks have resulted in serious injury/death to foreign nationals, one to a U.S Embassy staff member in 2018. Review OSAC’s reports, Hotels: The Inns and Outs and Considerations for Hotel Security.

There have been allegations of security forces using official weapons to conduct home invasions and kidnappings or loaning their weapons to criminal elements to do so. The Embassy has noted reports of highway banditry. These incidents generally involve armed individuals operating in rural areas at night. Criminal elements are becoming bolder when selecting their victims, and have been committing more crimes in public areas.

Violent crime, such as armed robbery and assaults, is common in, Toamasina and Mahajanga, Nosy Be, Ankarana and Montagne d’Ambre National Parks adjacent to Diego, Isalo, the area surrounding Tolagnaro (Ft. Dauphin), Batteie Beach, and north of Toliara (Tuléar). Exercise caution when traveling through these designated areas due to violent highway robberies: The general area south of the National Route (RN) 7 and RN 27 including the RN 10, RN 13, and the surrounding areas, except the tourist area on the coastal roads between Ambovombe and Farafangana, including Fort Dauphin/Tolagnaro area; and RN 1B, to the west of Antananarivo between Tsiroanomandidy and Maintirano.

Violent confrontations between the dahalo (criminal gangs that steal cattle) and security forces have increased in several regions of Madagascar, particularly in areas south and west of the capital.

Review OSAC’s reports, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud and Taking Credit.

Cybersecurity Issues

Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband?

Transportation-Safety Situation

Road Safety and Road Conditions

Road conditions range from minimally acceptable to very poor. Authorities in Antananarivo maintain roads relatively well, except during the rainy season, when large potholes are unattended until the rains subside. Downed power and phone lines may block roads or intersections for days/weeks. Drivers compete with pedestrians, cattle, human-propelled carts, scooters, and buses, any of which may swerve/stop at a moment’s notice. Certain roads in Antananarivo restrict tractor-trailers during the day; these trucks must use the roads at night, and do not always follow the traffic rules. The roads in most other major cities show signs of wear, including potholes and other obstructions. Nighttime driving is hazardous; the Embassy prohibits its personnel from driving at night outside of the major cities.

Many vehicles do not meet minimal safety standards and lack working lights. Accidents, while frequent, are usually not fatal, unless scooters/motorcycles are involved. Street altercations and traffic accidents can draw large, sometimes violent crowds. The Embassy recommends that its personnel exercise caution and calm if they find themselves in a dispute, particularly in a public place. U.S. citizens who feel threatened by large crowds should seek intervention from local law enforcement and contact the U.S. Embassy immediately.

Sidewalks are rare, and roads are hazardous for foot travel due to swerving vehicles and uneven surfaces. There are no pedestrian crossing signs or designated pathways; crossing any street involves an element of risk. Pedestrian injuries are common. Traffic law enforcement consists of stationary police, typically wearing a white shirt or camouflage uniforms with grey (National Police) or red (Gendarmerie) berets, randomly flagging down vehicles for inspection and verification of identification documents. Traffic enforcement is an opportunity to solicit bribes.

Local practice is to blow the horn before going around a curve, to let others know of one's presence. Seatbelt use is mandatory. The use of cell phones while driving, even with a hands-free attachment, is illegal. Child safety seats are not mandatory, but highly recommended. Motorcyclists must wear a helmet.

Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State Department’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.

Public Transportation Conditions

The reliability, safety, and availability of taxis in Antananarivo is limited. The Embassy advises its personnel not to enter cabs without door locks or non-securable windows, and to select taxis from illuminated areas, ensure that taxis have a minimum of safety equipment, negotiate the rate before departure, not to enter a taxi that already has other people in it, and not to enter any taxis unless they feel comfortable with the driver. The U.S. Embassy prohibits its employees from using multi-passenger taxi vans (both taxi-bes, minibuses which operate within urban centers; and taxi-brousses, which travel to outlying regions) due to the risk of carjacking and highway robbery.  Public transportation vehicles are often still in motion as passengers enter/exit. Entering and exiting vehicles is precarious, as they are not equipped to accommodate passengers with disabilities. Review OSAC’s report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.

Aviation/Airport Conditions

Madagascar has taken steps in recent years to improve security at some of the international airports (Ivato-TNR, Amborovy/Mahajanga-MJN, Toliara/Tulear-TLE) where contractor-conducted passenger screening appears thorough. At other international airports, passenger screening is more limited, and passengers may not be subject to screening at all. Smuggling of gold, live animals, and natural resources occurs via the international airports; airport security personnel are frequently complicit in the facilitation of smuggling. As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Madagascar, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the Government of Madagascar’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. 

Domestic and international air services operate regularly, but are subject to delays and occasional breakdowns. Air Madagascar often changes domestic flight schedules based on demand; the airline may cancel flights that are not full with little or no warning to passengers. Overbooking is also common. Reconfirm tickets prior to flight day, especially when flying from provincial airports.

RSO has noted an increase in reporting on checked luggage stolen from Ivato Airport. Criminals appear to target domestic flights, simply grabbing luggage off the luggage conveyor belt and exiting the airport. If authorities or baggage owners confront them, they claim they have made a mistake and return the bags.

Terrorism Threat

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Antananarivo as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.

Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence 

The U.S. Department of State has assessed Antananarivo as being a MEDIUM-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Madagascar has a history of political unrest, including coups d’état. Occasionally, unconfirmed rumors claim that anti-government elements are seeking to destabilize the government. The political opposition accepted the results of the 2018 presidential election and supported a peaceful transition of power in 2019.

Civil Unrest  

In Antananarivo, large crowds have occasionally formed near the Presidential Palace, along Avenue de l’Independance, and near Lake Behoririka. There have been violent incidents in the 67th Hectare part of town. Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest.

Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment

There are some disagreements between the Malagasy and French government, primarily over the ownership of several uninhabited islands to the west of Madagascar. In Antananarivo, there have been several demonstrations by various Malagasy groups at/near the French Embassy, but there has not been any associated violence.

Post-specific Concerns

Environmental Hazards

Cyclones (hurricanes) originating from the Mozambique Channel or the Indian Ocean commonly come ashore in Madagascar. In addition, flooding and droughts, neither of which are uncommon, presage other environmental issues (e.g. spread of disease, locust swarms). The Embassy encourages personnel to keep a supply of water/food in their homes, as most businesses close in anticipation of the storms, and supplies become scarce very quickly during emergencies.

Critical Infrastructure Concerns

Weak legislation, poor law enforcement, large geography, dilapidated infrastructure, lack of capacity/resources, and widespread corruption have made Madagascar a safe haven for illegal activities and businesses, including wildlife trafficking, deforestation, and illegal fishing.

The electrical power in Antananarivo frequently goes out, sometimes for several hours. The local power company has limited ability to address the issue, and the government has not shown the political acumen and leadership to address the inherent problems -- by reigning in corruption within the company or by taking steps to bring more users into the paying customer base.

Economic Espionage/Intellectual Property Theft

The U.S. Embassy has received some reports that the government uses software without appropriate intellectual property rights (IPR). More broadly, public markets openly display pirated movies and music for sale.

Personal Identity Concerns 

Although the Malagasy constitution prohibits all forms of discrimination, to include race, gender, disability, language, and social status, no specific government institutions enforce these provisions.

Consensual same-sex sexual relations are illegal under the age of 21. Malagasy law contains no anti-discrimination protections for LGBTI+ persons. Although the U.S. Embassy is not aware of any recent arrests or prosecutions, penalties can include imprisonment and fines. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for LGBTI+ travelers.

There are no sidewalks in most of the country, and the roads are hazardous for foot travel with swerving vehicles and uneven surfaces. There are no pedestrian crossing signs or designated pathways, and crossing any street involves an element of risk. Pedestrian injuries are common. Public spaces are not wheelchair accessible. Review the State Department’s webpage on security for travelers with disabilities.

Review the State Department’s webpage on security for female travelers.

Review OSAC’s report, Freedom to Practice, and the State Department’s webpage on security for faith-based travelers.

Kidnapping Threat

Kidnapping for ransom is an issue for wealthy Malagasy, the Indo-Pakistani community, and, on rare occasion, expatriates. These kidnappings usually end with a paid ransom and the safe release of the victim. Most of the victims have been affluent locals or their children, especially within the Malagasy Indo-Pakistani business community. Most of the kidnappings relate to business deals or local politics. Review OSAC’s report, Kidnapping: The Basics.

Other Issues

Review OSAC’s report, Picture This: Dos and Don’ts for Photography.

The Government of Madagascar restricts the export of precious gems. Before purchasing or transporting gemstones, seek clarification of the applicable laws. Accompany any precious materials with a certificate of authenticity and a certificate to allow for exportation from Madagascar. Read the State Department’s webpage on customs and import restrictions for information on what you cannot take into or out of other countries.

Police Response

The emergency line in Madagascar is 117. Due to the lack of resources and equipment, police/gendarmerie response to victims of a crime is often limited, slow, or nonexistent. This is primarily due to the lack of staffing, training, and funding, and reflects broader economic deterioration. The likelihood of the security forces responding to an incident depends on availability of personnel and gasoline for vehicles.

In major cities, the National Police are responsible for maintaining peace and security; outside of major cities, the Gendarmerie take on these responsibilities. Although police/gendarmerie normally take seriously and deal quickly with incidents involving foreigners, there are reports indicating a failure of law enforcement to respond when called.

Most police officers only speak Malagasy or minimal French, and rarely do they speak English. The Embassy recommends that travelers carry their passports with them, as police can detain individuals for being unable to identify themselves properly. In the past, police have not accepted U.S. driver’s licenses or copies of passports as proper identification, resulting in detention until authorities could verify identification and status in the country.

The Embassy has received reports of police harassment, primarily solicitations for bribes related to traffic stops or while walking in public areas. Police occasionally use reasons such as stopping people in vehicles for incorrect data or visa paperwork as leverage to obtain bribes, but in some reported cases, the police simply ask for a cadeau (gift). The U.S. Embassy recommends not paying any bribes, and reporting incidents to the Consular Section. Download the State Department’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure.

Medical Emergencies

Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy website.

Hospitals require payment up front, usually in cash, for medical services. Many will refuse service without advance payment. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review the State Department’s webpage on insurance overseas.

he following diseases are prevalent: Malaria; Dengue Fever; Chikungunya; Diarrheal illness; Rabies; Tuberculosis; Plague; and Polio. Plague is endemic on Madagascar, where outbreaks have resurfaced nearly every year since 1980. Plague is treatable successfully with antibiotics; seek medical treatment immediately if you experience any plague signs or symptoms.

The CDC offers additional information on vaccines and health guidance for Madagascar.

Review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Traveling with Medication, I’m Drinking What in My Water?, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad.

OSAC Country Council Information

Antananarivo does not have an active Country Council. Contact OSAC’s Africa team for more information.

U.S. Embassy Contact Information

Lot 207 A, Point Liberty, Andranoro-Antehiroka, Antananarivo (105).

Hours of operation: Monday-Thursday, 0800-1600; Friday, 0800-1300

Telephone: +261(20) 23-480-00

Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +261(20) 23-480-00

Email: AntanACS@state.gov or AntanVISA@state.gov

Marine Post One: +261(20)-23-480-00 or +261(33)-443-2407

Website: https://mg.usembassy.gov/

U.S. Embassy Antananarivo also handles American Citizen Services for the Union of the Comoros and the French protectorate of Mayotte: U.S. Virtual Presence Post – Comoros

Helpful Information

Before you travel, consider the following resources:

• OSAC Risk Matrix
• OSAC Travelers Toolkit
• State Department Traveler’s Checklist
• Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)