Madagascar declares 15-day state of energy emergency

Madagascar has declared a 15‑day nationwide state of energy emergency in response to severe fuel shortages linked to the Middle East conflict. The decision was taken during a special Council of Ministers meeting on April 7, amid fears that the crisis could trigger social unrest.

Madagascar relies heavily on imported fuel, and recent shortages have intensified concerns about public order. Last year, persistent power and water outages triggered youth-led protests that escalated into broader political unrest, ultimately contributing to a military takeover.

The country's energy sector has long struggled with systemic vulnerabilities, including reliance on a limited number of import sources, weak infrastructure for distribution, and financial pressures from implicit subsidies that keep fuel prices artificially low.

The emergency measures include suspending the automatic fuel pricing mechanism, a condition tied to International Monetary Fund (IMF) support. Monthly price adjustments have now been capped as the government works to balance fiscal constraints with the need to maintain supply.

"We had extensive discussions with the IMF, as the automatic fuel-pricing mechanism is one of their key conditions," said Lucas Rabearimanga, Madagascar's Minister of Energy and Hydrocarbons.

"However, it is not in the interest of public finances, nor consumers. That is why we decided to suspend it under this emergency measure. If we immediately apply real market prices, it would not be sustainable for consumers either,” he added. 

Following the announcement, citizens rushed to fuel stations in anticipation of further shortages, reflecting public anxiety over energy access. 

Industry stakeholders have expressed uncertainty about the implications of the emergency measures. 

"They say 15 days of energy emergency, but we don't really know what that means," a business operator, Tantely Rakotonirina, said.

Economists warn that Madagascar faces a structural energy crisis characterized by chronic supply fragility, high dependency on imported petroleum, fiscal pressures from subsidies, and vulnerability to geopolitical shocks and global price fluctuations.

The Malagasy Petroleum Group assured the public that current stock levels are sufficient for the coming days, though officials have acknowledged that careful management will be needed to prevent further disruption.
The government is under mounting pressure to prevent the fuel crisis from spilling over into broader social unrest, as energy shortages remain closely linked to the country’s political stability and economic resilience.

Analysts note that the current measures, while temporary, highlight the deeper structural challenges Madagascar must address to secure long‑term energy security.

 

(Story compiled with assistance from wire reports)