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Doing business
Doing business in Madagascar
The official bodies a foreign company, investor or professional deals with in Madagascar – linked to their own websites – plus the treaties that matter for contracts and disputes, and law firms there that list business work.
Key facts
Key facts for business in Madagascar
The short answer
Company registry in Madagascar: Orinasa – online business creation platform of the Economic Development Board of Madagascar (EDBM). Tax authority: Direction Générale des Impôts (DGI). Requirements, fees and timelines change – confirm them with the body concerned and a lawyer admitted in Madagascar before you act.
| Legal system | Civil law (French-based, with Malagasy customary law) |
|---|---|
| Official languages | Malagasy, French |
| Currency | Malagasy ariary (MGA) |
| Regional blocs | SADC, COMESA |
| OHADA business law | No |
| AfCFTA (continental free trade) | Ratified (instrument deposited) |
| New York Convention (arbitral awards) | Party – in force since 1962 |
| ICSID Convention (investment disputes) | Contracting state – in force since 1966 |
| Apostille Convention (public documents) | Not a party – documents usually need legalization |
Treaty status from the official depositary records (UNCITRAL, ICSID, HCCH), regional blocs from their own websites, AfCFTA from tralac – checked October 2026. Not legal advice.
Official bodies
Who does what in Madagascar
| What for | Official body | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Registering a company | Orinasa – online business creation platform of the Economic Development Board of Madagascar (EDBM) | orinasa.edbm.mg |
| Investment promotion | Economic Development Board of Madagascar (EDBM) | edbm.mg |
| Tax | Direction Générale des Impôts (DGI) – Directorate General of Taxes | impots.mg |
| Central bank, currency and foreign exchange | Banky Foiben'i Madagasikara – Central Bank of Madagascar | banky-foibe.mg |
| Work and residence permits | Economic Development Board of Madagascar (EDBM) – work permits | edbm.mg |
| Justice ministry (no court website found) | Ministère de la Justice (Madagascar) – Ministry of Justice | justice.gov.mg |
Each link was opened and checked as the body’s own website in October 2026. Links to official sites only – never to agents or look-alike sites.
Getting started
What foreign businesses usually sort out first
- Choose how you will operate. A subsidiary, a branch, a representative office, or working through a local partner or distributor. The options and their conditions are set by national company law.
- Register the business. Company registration: Orinasa – online business creation platform of the Economic Development Board of Madagascar (EDBM).
- Register for tax. Tax registration: Direction Générale des Impôts (DGI).
- Check investment rules and incentives. Some sectors have licensing, local-ownership or registration rules, and some investors qualify for incentives. Investment agency: Economic Development Board of Madagascar (EDBM).
- Permits for foreign staff. Work and residence permits: Economic Development Board of Madagascar (EDBM) – work permits.
- Banking and foreign exchange. Rules on accounts, moving money in and out and paying dividends abroad come from the central bank (Banky Foiben'i Madagasikara) and the banks.
- Contracts and disputes. Agree the governing law, the courts or arbitration seat, and the language. Madagascar is a party to the New York Convention, so arbitral awards made in other member states can be recognized there under it.
A general checklist, not legal advice. What applies to you depends on your sector, structure and nationality.
Law firms
Law firms in Madagascar for business matters
Cabinet d'avocats HMRR
Antananarivo
Madera-Rano Avocats Associés (M&R Avocats Associés)
Antananarivo
Maralex Legal
Antananarivo
MCI (Madagascar Conseil International)
Antananarivo
4 firms in Madagascar list corporate, tax, employment or other business work on their own websites. See every firm in Madagascar.
Checking a lawyer in Madagascar
We could not find an official online source for who admits lawyers in Madagascar. Ask any lawyer you consider for their bar or law-society membership and admission details, and confirm them with that body or with the courts.
Questions
Doing business in Madagascar: questions
Where do you register a company in Madagascar?
With Orinasa – online business creation platform of the Economic Development Board of Madagascar (EDBM) (orinasa.edbm.mg). Requirements change, so confirm them with the registry and a lawyer admitted in Madagascar.
Is Madagascar a party to the New York Convention?
Yes – in force since 1962 (UNCITRAL status table, checked October 2026).
Does Madagascar accept apostilles?
Madagascar is not a party to the Apostille Convention (HCCH status table, checked October 2026), so foreign public documents usually need legalization – typically through the issuing country’s foreign ministry and Madagascar’s embassy or consulate. Confirm with the authority that will receive the document.
What currency is used in Madagascar?
Malagasy ariary (MGA).