Controversy surrounds two road projects for Madagascar.
There are concerns that two road projects for Madagascar could result in primary forest areas being cut down – image courtesy of © Simone Matteo Giuseppe Manzoni| Dreamstime.com
A US$321 million finance package is being supplied by the IMF to Madagascar as part of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). This package is scheduled to be provided to the Madagascar Government in mid-2025. However, there is concern that a substantial portion of this funding is being directed towards the construction of two new roads, with primary forest areas having to be cleared for the work.
Meanwhile, a funding package worth from $250-350 million is being provided by the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) for work on the second stage of the new motorway linking Antananarivo and Toamasina. This route will stretch 260km and link the capital with Madagascar's key port.
