1. Can you introduce Madagascar Conseil International (MCI) and explain its mission within Madagascar’s business ecosystem and the broader Indian Ocean region?
Madagascar Conseil International, or MCI, is a legal and advisory office founded 25 years ago. Our core mission is to provide legal expertise, particularly in corporate law, investments, taxation, and arbitration. We’ve advised on major projects in the energy and mining sectors, and we understand both the strengths and limitations of the Malagasy legal and economic landscape.
We are currently one of the largest legal firms in Madagascar, and we work extensively with regional partners, especially in Mauritius. We also collaborate with institutions like the Indian Ocean Commission. In short, MCI operates across the entire business law spectrum and plays a vital role in facilitating investments and advising both the public and private sectors.
2. What are MCI’s main areas of focus, and how do you support public and private stakeholders in their development efforts?
Let me give you three concrete examples that represent our core sectors.
First is mining. We support investors in securing permits, navigating regulatory hurdles, and managing long-term projects. A strategic decision we made was to develop stronger relationships with Chinese investors. We now work closely with Chinese law firms to guide their clients in Madagascar—this has diversified our portfolio and proven very successful. We also advise American, Australian, and South African investors in the sector.
Second, energy. Madagascar’s energy sector has long struggled due to an underperforming national utility and outdated infrastructure. We’re heavily involved in one of the country’s most significant energy investments: Sahofika, a hydroelectric project worth close to $100 billion,
Third, we support corporate acquisitions. International firms often approach us when they’re interested in purchasing Malagasy companies, byconducting tax and legal due diligence, negotiating contracts, and offering legal guidance.
Beyond these, we’re very involved in taxation, and in drafting national laws such as the Law on Investment, Law on Special Economic Zones… as a legal expert appointed by the Government
3. MCI has played a critical role in some of Madagascar’s strategic projects. Could you highlight a few and explain their impact?
Certainly. We advise energy investors in solar, hydroelectric, and even wind projects across Madagascar. We’re involved with international groups from the U.S., Australia, Europe and beyond, and we provide legal frameworks for their investment strategies.
Through this, MCI is contributing directly to what I call Madagascar’s energy revolution, modernizing infrastructure, reducing dependency on fossil fuels, and creating sustainable energy capacity.
4. How do you assist government institutions in building legal and administrative capacity to implement these frameworks effectively?
Laws are only as effective as their implementation, so we try to the extent possible to disseminate the provision of the law and ensure that ministries and local authorities understand the new frameworks.
For example, under the Arbitration Law, we traveled across the provinces and trained public officials and business leaders on legal principles like fair treatment clauses and foreign investment protections.
This kind of training ensures that Madagascar isn’t just enacting laws, but operationalizing them, bridging the gap between paper and practice. Businesses need to know their rights and the protections available to them, and public servants need the tools to enforce and administer these rights properly.
5. In your view, what are the key development challenges facing Madagascar, and how can firms like MCI contribute to addressing them?
There are two main challenges.
Ineffective law enforcement. We often see laws enacted without accompanying application decrees. The 2016 Law on Special Economic Zones, for instance, which still has no implementing regulations to date.. That severely hinders investor confidence.
Second, the judiciary system still faces many dysfunctions, including a lack of independence and excessively lengthy procedures. This is why investors prefer international arbitration..
Our role as MCI is to serve as both legal advisors and reform advocates. We push for transparency, better legal frameworks, and practical solutions grounded in both local realities and international best practices.
6. How does MCI bridge international legal standards with local contexts in Madagascar?
utA key part of our value lies in reconciling global standards with Malagasy constraints. We also specialize in international arbitration, which is crucial for building investor confidence. It allows foreign parties to resolve disputes in neutral, professional forums rather than relying solely on local courts.
This internationalization of legal processes, paired with deep local knowledge, is what positions MCI as a strategic partner in most major projects.
7. Why do you believe Madagascar is ready for a new era of investment, and what role does MCI play in that transition?
I believe the time is ripe. Since the 2014 presidential elections, despite some volatility, institutions have held up. That matters. The government is increasingly open to foreign direct investment and recognizes the central role of the private sector. There’s even a new public-private dialogue platform, a first for Madagascar.
We’re also seeing movement toward reforms, improved laws, and more openness to FDI. The mining, energy, agriculture, textile, and tech sectors are particularly promising. One of the major issues is the gap between the legal country and the real country, and there needs to be a bridging of these two worlds, this is the great challenge.
To quote General de Gaulle, “Madagascar must no longer be a country of potential, but a country of reality.” I think that vision is finally within reach.
8. Any final message for readers of The Khaleej Times considering investment in Madagascar?
Madagascar is a land of extraordinary opportunity, and MCI is here to guide you through it. With our legal, institutional, and diplomatic experience, we understand both the investor’s needs and the state’s requirements.
We operate with professionalism, discretion, and vision. Whether it’s navigating local law, resolving disputes, or structuring multimillion-dollar investments, we offer the depth and adaptability needed in a complex, emerging market.
This country is beautiful, untapped, and evolving. We invite investors from the Gulf and beyond to join us, not just in imagining potential, but in realizing it.
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