Essentials
- City
- Antananarivo, Analamanga, Madagascar
- Population
- Approx. 1,300,000 (Metropolitan: 3,000,000+)
- Internet Speed
- Fiber available in central districts; typically 20-50 Mbps via Telma or Orange Madagascar
- Currency & Banking
- Malagasy Ariary (MGA). 1 USD ≈ 4,500 MGA, 1 EUR ≈ 4,900 MGA
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Use bottled water (Eau Vive, 1.5L ≈ 2,500 MGA)
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C / E sockets (French standard)
- SIM Card
- Telma (best data coverage), Orange, and Airtel. 20GB data ≈ 100,000 MGA ($22 USD)
- Banking for Expats
- BNI Madagascar, Société Générale (BFV-SG), and Bank of Africa (BOA). Visa is more widely accepted than Mastercard
- Accommodation
- Expat-heavy areas like Ivandry and Ankorondrano offer modern serviced apartments
- Cashless Friendly
- Limited. Cash is essential for markets and taxis; high-end hotels and supermarkets accept cards
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com ($30 - $70 USD/night for decent apartments)
- Budget Accommodation
- Madagascar Underground (Hostel in Antaninarenina, beds from $12 USD)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Isoraka and Antaninarenina (Upper Town) for restaurants and safety
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Ivandry (high security, near malls) and Ankorondrano (business hub)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Habaka (Tsimbazaza) or NextHope (Ankorondrano). Day pass approx. 45,000 MGA
- Best Cafe for Work
- Café de la Gare (Soarano Station) - spacious with reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets
- Networking Events
- French Chamber of Commerce (CCIFM) events and monthly 'Apéro Entrepreneurs' meetups
- Social Events for Expats
- InterNations Antananarivo and the 'Expats de Madagascar' Facebook Group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Taxi Brousse is for long distance; for city use, 'Taxibe' (mini-bus) or local yellow taxis (negotiate price: 10,000 - 25,000 MGA per trip)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not recommended due to chaotic traffic and hilly terrain
- Best Beach Nearby
- None (landlocked). Closest is Foulpointe (approx. 8-10 hours drive)
- Top Regional Airline
- Madagascar Airlines (formerly Air Madagascar) and Tsaradia
- Top International Airline
- Air France, Ethiopian Airlines, and Turkish Airlines
- Highway Access
- RN7 (South to Tuléar), RN2 (East to Toamasina), and RN4 (North to Majunga)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Gare Soarano (historical hub, mostly commercial/tourism now)
- Public Transport Passes
- No formal pass system; Taxibe fares are paid in cash to the conductor (600 MGA per ride)
- Regional Travel
- Cotisse Transport (Premium taxi-brousse service for inland travel to coastal cities)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Espace Médical (Ambodivona) or Polyclinique d'Ilafy (International standards)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Centre de Yoga 'Ananda' in Ivandry
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- ASUT Fitness (Ankorondrano) and various hotel gyms like Carlton or Colbert
- Laundry Services
- Pressing de Madagascar (Multiple branches, approx. 5,000 MGA per shirt)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Foody (Local delivery app service)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Romazava (Beef and leafy green stew) served with rice
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- La Varangue (high-end) and various Indian restaurants in Ankorondrano
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pâtisserie Colbert (Antaninarenina) - famous for French-style pastries
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Shoprite and Supermaki (Western-style supermarkets)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Jumia is defunct; local Facebook Marketplace is the primary hub
- Grocery Delivery
- Supermaki Drive / Delivery
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Isoraka district (Le Mojo, Kudéta)
- Local Brewery
- Star Brewery (THB - Three Horses Beer is the national favorite)
- Wine Bars
- Le Petit Verdot in Antaninarenina
- Street Food Stalls
- Analakely Market for grilled meat (Mofogasy and Brochettes)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Nerone (Italian at Ivandry) or L'Avenue (French/International at Analakely)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Rova (Queen’s Palace) overlooking the city
- Museums & Art Venues
- Musée de la Photographie de Madagascar (Anatirova)
- Historical Sites
- Ambohimanga (UNESCO King’s Palace, 20km north of city)
- Religious Sites
- Andohalo Cathedral (Cathédrale de l'Immaculée Conception)
- Annual Events
- Madajazzcar (International Jazz Festival in October)
- Cultural Districts
- Haute-Ville (Upper Town) for colonial architecture
- Theater Venues
- Institut Français de Madagascar (IFM) in Analakely
- Local Markets
- Marché d'Andravoahangy (Crafts and textiles)
- Music Scene
- Live Malagasy folk (Salegy) at Le Trano Box
- Street Art
- Murals around the tunnels of Ambohidahy
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional workshops at various culinary schools in Nanisana
- Art Galleries
- Is'Art Galerie in Ampasanimalo (Contemporary art and music)
- Historic Buildings
- Palais de Justice and Soarano Station
- Local Heritage
- Zebu (Omby) culture and traditional 'Famadihana' ceremonies (ancestor turning)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Lemurs' Park (22km from city center on RN1)
- National Parks Nearby
- Andasibe-Mantadia National Park (approx. 4 hours drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Tany Tsara forest trails near bypass roads (By-pass Sud)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Place de l'Indépendance for a panoramic view of the lower city
- Birdwatching Locations
- Tsimbazaza Park and Botanical Garden
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Private campsites in Mantasoa (2 hours away)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL Madagascar and Paositra Malagasy (EMS)
- Tech Repair Services
- Mass'In or various independent stalls in the electronic market at Behoririka
- Table Tennis Spots
- Various local sports clubs in Mahamasina
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française d'Antananarivo (Andavamamba)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Library of the French Institute (IFM)
- Community Centers
- American Center (Tanjombato)
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber Cafes in Analakely and Behoririka for local LAN gaming
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Grand Casino de Madagascar (Carlton Hotel)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $48,000 USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $32,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $66,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $750 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $45,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $80,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $56,000 USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% (Standard rate for companies based in Madagascar)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for residents; 10% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Territorial/Resident basis; residents taxed on worldwide income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 20% (IRSA - Impôt sur les Revenus Salariaux et Assimilés)
- VAT
- 20%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC legislation in place
- Property Tax
- Yes, annual land and building tax (IFPB) variable by municipality
- Property Transaction Tax
- Registration fees and taxes approx. 6-10% of sale price
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific digital nomad visa; most stay on tourism or investor visas with no specific 0% worldwide tax benefit