Jirama: The SMJ increases service interruptions

Mis à jour le 22 May 2026

In 2026, Madagascar faced a crisis that jeopardized the stability of vital public services, particularly in the energy sector. Jirama, the state-owned company responsible for distributing electricity and drinking water throughout the country, saw its network weakened by a series of increasingly contentious incidents and social movements. The recent intensification of disruptions orchestrated by the Jirama Employees’ Union (SMJ) raised serious concerns about the continuity of these essential services amidst the ongoing socio-economic crisis. Repeated power outages, often followed by acts of sabotage such as the deliberate disconnection of power poles or massive water cutoffs, exacerbated an already precarious situation.

The SMJ’s actions, marked by dramatic strikes and blockades, have brought the electricity supply to a virtual standstill in several neighborhoods of Antananarivo, paralyzing daily activities, particularly in the health, education, and public sectors. Tensions are running high between the need to protect public services and the unions’ efforts to amplify social and financial demands that have been voiced for months. The current situation reveals a growing divide between the government, which claims to want to secure the supply, and the unions, whose actions appear to be becoming increasingly radical.

This collective malaise is compounded by political and financial issues, revealing a governance crisis that further weakens an already failing network. The estimated economic loss of 20 billion ariary for the month of October, primarily due to power and water cuts, testifies to the devastating impact on the local economy. Experts emphasize that resorting to extreme measures, such as activating Controlled Activation Technologies (CATs) to address the energy shortage, cannot constitute a sustainable solution to the society’s structural crisis.