Madagascar (MG)
World's fourth-largest island, Madagascar offers extraordinary biodiversity (90% of wildlife found nowhere else), one of the world's lowest costs of living, warm French-speaking culture, and unique opportunities in vanilla, ecotourism, and development sectors.
Digital Services
Digital ID, e-government and essential apps in Madagascar.
E-Government Portal
https://www.edbm.mgE-government in Madagascar is very limited outside the EDBM one-stop shop. The EDBM portal (edbm.mg) is the most functional digital tool and has an English-language option for company registration. Most other administrative processes — Titre de Séjour, DGI tax filings, CNAPS — require in-person visits with physical documents in Antananarivo.
Essential Apps
ExpatCheapRent
FreeExpat-focused cheap rental finder at expatcheaprent.com — compares listings across major rental portals to help newcomers find affordable apartments.
Facebook Marketplace
FreeThe primary channel for private apartment and house rentals in Antananarivo — most landlords and agents advertise through Facebook Marketplace and local Facebook groups.
MVola
FreeDominant mobile money platform (Telma network). Used for utility bills (JIRAMA electricity/water), transfers, market payments and salary receipts. USSD (*999#) works on basic phones without a smartphone.
Orange Money
FreeMobile money from Orange Madagascar — widely accepted for payments, transfers and bill payments, similar functionality to MVola.
Airtel Money
FreeMobile money from Airtel Madagascar — accepted by many vendors; useful if your primary SIM is Airtel.
KOBALY
FreeMadagascar's official ride-hailing app in Antananarivo — transparent pricing, driver ID, GPS tracking and MVola payment. Significantly safer than flagging random taxis.
Primary communication tool for personal and professional contact — employers, landlords, clinics, contractors and businesses all use WhatsApp.
The dominant social platform in Madagascar — community groups, expat networks, job listings, local news and classifieds all circulate through Facebook.
Wise
PaidInternational money transfer — essential for expats receiving salary in USD or EUR and converting to MGA. Far cheaper than bank wire transfers (0.5–1% vs 3–5%). Wise debit card works at Madagascar ATMs.
VPN (NordVPN / ExpressVPN)
PaidVPN for accessing home-country streaming services (Netflix regional libraries, BBC iPlayer, TF1+) and for privacy on public Wi-Fi. Legally used in Madagascar with no restrictions.
IQAir / AirVisual
FreeReal-time air quality monitoring for Antananarivo — useful during dry season when dust and biomass burning can raise particulate levels.
EDBM One-Stop Shop portal
FreeOnline company formation and business registration portal with English-language support — the most functional digital government tool for foreign business owners in Madagascar.
Madagascar has limited digital infrastructure outside Antananarivo. Daily power cuts (délestage 2–8 hours) require a UPS for router and devices. Mobile money (MVola, Orange Money) is more widely accepted than bank cards. Buy a UPS and a surge protector on arrival.