• Madagascar launches subsidized sale of 664,000 digital devices
• 400,000 units reserved for women and girls
• Initiative targets digital divide amid low internet access

Madagascar on Saturday launched a national program to sell 664,000 subsidized digital devices, including 400,000 units reserved for women and girls. The initiative aims to expand access to connected devices and narrow the digital divide, particularly among women and young people, while promoting long-term digital inclusion.

The rollout will rely on nine authorized distributors, a structure designed to ensure transparency, improve equipment accessibility and enable gradual nationwide coverage, including in rural areas. The program falls under the “Affordable Digital Equipment” component of the $24 million Digital and Energy Connectivity for Inclusion in Madagascar (DECIM) Fund.

Unveiled in April 2025, the initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to support socio-economic development through digital technology. The strategy is outlined in the 2023–2028 Five-Year Digital Strategic Plan (PSN), which sets out a roadmap to strengthen Madagascar’s role in Africa’s digital economy. The plan prioritizes telecommunications development, e-government and digital inclusion. Authorities expect the digital sector to account for 6% of GDP by 2028, up from 1.5% in 2019.

Yet the digital divide remains wide. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), only 18.7% of Madagascar’s estimated 32.9 million people used the internet in 2024. Mobile phone ownership stood at 44.4%, regardless of device type. The GSM Association (GSMA) says smartphone affordability remains a key barrier to internet adoption, even in areas covered by mobile networks, despite entry-level devices now selling for under $100.

However, the scale of the initiative remains limited relative to the size of the unconnected population. The government has not announced further phases or provided a detailed timetable.

Access to smartphones alone does not guarantee the use of digital services. Other constraints include network coverage. ITU data show that 2G and 3G networks covered 88.5% and 69.2% of the population, respectively, at end-2023. 4G coverage reached 34.6% in 2024, while 5G stood at 6.12%. Additional barriers include the cost of data plans, limited digital skills, security concerns, connection quality and the perceived lack of relevance of digital services for some users.

Isaac K. Kassouwi