Madagascar: Civil society raises the alarm over a mining reform marred by a lack of transparency

Mis à jour le 22 May 2026

For several years, Madagascar has been at the heart of growing tensions surrounding its natural resources, essential for economic development but also a source of environmental vulnerability. Caught between hopes for growth and risks of degradation, Malagasy civil society is expressing deep concern about the ongoing mining reform, perceived as tainted by opacity. While the extractive sector represents a major opportunity for poverty reduction and job creation, it is also fertile ground for abuse, corruption, and fragile governance. The recent announcement of legislative changes, intended to modernize the regulatory framework, is now generating more mistrust than positive expectations. These changes, under the guise of attracting investors, raise fears of a weakening of state control, to the benefit of private interests. The situation is exacerbated by the international context of 2026, where collective awareness and the demand for transparency are intensifying, particularly as the management of natural resources becomes a global strategic issue. Malagasy civil society, bringing together associations, NGOs, and local stakeholders, is closely monitoring this development, fearing that a lack of transparency will foster irresponsible exploitation that disregards both the environment and the rights of local populations. The need for strengthened governance is therefore imperative, both to preserve natural heritage and to ensure a fair distribution of profits.

Discover the mining reforms aimed at improving regulation, sustainability, and transparency in the mining sector.

The revision of the legislative framework: a context of opaque transformations

Discover the major reforms in the mining sector aimed at improving regulations, sustainability, and operating conditions for responsible development.

Environmental concerns surrounding mining reform in Madagascar are considerable. Large-scale mining operations, without rigorous regulation, jeopardize the country’s fragile ecosystems. Deforestation, water pollution, and the destruction of biodiversity are among the major issues raised by civil society. The degradation of natural habitats, often fueled by uncontrolled mining practices, also threatens the livelihoods of local populations. These populations fear that the pursuit of financial gain will come at the expense of their environment, already weakened by climate change and global degradation. Weak governance exacerbates this risk, as the lack of transparency prevents active community participation in decision-making. Transparency is essential, not only to ensure responsible mining operations but also to guarantee that local communities truly benefit from the economic returns of this valuable resource. Growing distrust and the environmental stakes demand a sincere commitment from all stakeholders to avert an ecological and social catastrophe.

Discover mining reforms aimed at improving regulation, sustainability, and responsible practices in the natural resource extraction sector.

Civil society: a key voice for responsible governance.

In this context, the role of civil society appears fundamental in balancing the power of major economic players and public authorities. Since 2025, numerous local organizations, associations, and NGOs have been mobilizing to defend transparency in the management of mineral resources. Their objective: to ensure that mining truly benefits the population, without fostering corruption or causing irreversible environmental degradation. This citizen mobilization takes the form of information campaigns, field observations, and even advocacy efforts directed at political decision-makers. These actors insist on increased participation in the legislative process, as well as complete transparency regarding the procedures for granting permits, the amounts received, and the environmental impact. Transparency should be an integral part of the national strategy for the responsible management of natural resources. By playing its watchdog role, civil society also contributes to better governance by enabling the accountability of the actors involved. Their commitment, often threatened by intimidation or pressure, constitutes a genuine line of defense against potential abuses.

The risks of corruption and embezzlement of mining revenues

• The mining sector in Madagascar, as elsewhere, unfortunately remains vulnerable to corruption. Weak control mechanisms and the opacity surrounding certain processes could potentially facilitate the diversion of public funds to private interests. In a country where natural resources are strategic, these abuses exacerbate the climate of mistrust and prevent the equitable redistribution of economic benefits. Funds from mining should normally finance local development programs, but in many cases, their opaque management significantly limits their real impact. Civil society is therefore calling for concrete measures to strengthen the traceability of financial flows related to the mining sector, as well as rigorous oversight of economic operators. The fight against corruption is an essential step in building strong governance capable of guaranteeing the ethical and sustainable management of these resources. Full transparency in the legislative review process could, in this regard, shed light on questionable practices, while restoring confidence among national and international stakeholders. Natural resources: a heritage to be preserved and developed equitably.
• Madagascar’s natural resources, rich in strategic and precious minerals, constitute a national heritage whose exploitation must be carried out in accordance with ethical, environmental, and social principles. The management of these resources must not only pursue immediate profits but also ensure their sustainability for future generations. Transparency in the processes governing their extraction is therefore a prerequisite to prevent their serious degradation or misappropriation. Civil society insists that the development of these resources should be accompanied by an equitable sharing of benefits and strengthened protection of fragile ecosystems. The establishment of participatory mechanisms and independent oversight is essential to guarantee the responsible use of these vital assets. Poor governance could lead Madagascar toward irreversible environmental degradation, especially since the mining sector is often associated with unsustainable practices and a lack of transparency regarding profit sharing.
• List of measures to strengthen transparency in mining reform in Madagascar
• ✅ Establish a genuine participatory process including civil society, local communities, and independent experts.

🔍 Systematically publish all deliberations, decisions, and amounts of mining investments.

🌱 Ensure an objective, transparent, and open-data environmental assessment.

🗣️ Ensure the involvement of communities and experts in legislative review

Regular public and bilateral consultations

Oversight

🔒 Prevent corruption and ensure responsible use

Independent control mechanisms and regular audits

Environment

🌍 Ensure ecosystem sustainability from the design stage Transparent and participatory environmental assessments