Madagascar Launches Rapid Rural Transformation and Smart Village Project in Southern Regions
The project has already achieved tangible results, benefiting over 10,000 residents daily, creating local employment opportunities, training 1,200 youth in digital skills, and increasing commercial activities around the digital hubs by 20%.
The Ministry of Digital Development, Postal and Telecommunications (MNDPT) has officially launched the Rapid Rural Transformation (RRT) and Smart Village initiative along the Vohitsova–Antanimora development road, aimed at bringing digital services closer to rural communities in southern Madagascar. The launch was led by Minister Mahefa Andriamampiadana and represents a strategic partnership between the MNDPT and the World Food Programme (PAM).
The project is part of a broader government policy to reduce the digital divide and enhance access to public services in remote areas. Six sites in the Anosy and Androy regions are now fully operational, featuring hybrid connectivity through satellite communication and off-grid solar power, ensuring uninterrupted services even in the most isolated communities. Each Smart Village includes shared community hubs providing digital services and public affairs councils to facilitate citizen access to government support.
As part of the initiative, 11 key government entities—including district offices, hospitals, police, agriculture, and municipal authorities—have received laptops and equipment to digitalize administrative procedures, reporting, and inter-agency coordination. Training sessions for Smart Village Agents Consultants have been conducted to ensure the sustainability, operational autonomy, and financial independence of the sites.
The RRT and Smart Village program also addresses local economic development and production. Solar-powered refrigeration helps farmers preserve and market meat and fish, while electric cookers introduced in school canteens reduce deforestation and save resources. Farmers now have access to real-time market information, boosting trade and income opportunities.
The project has already achieved tangible results, benefiting over 10,000 residents daily, creating local employment opportunities, training 1,200 youth in digital skills, and increasing commercial activities around the digital hubs by 20%. Through this initiative, the Malagasy government emphasizes that digital access is a fundamental right for all citizens, positioning technology as a strategic lever for sustainable rural development.
