My engagement with both Angola and Madagascar is profound; I monitor them closely, conduct extensive business there, and have visited repeatedly. It’s unfortunate that these two beautiful African nations have recently gone through a period of significant upheaval. Due to the intense strain caused by Africa’s challenging economic conditions, individuals have organized themselves and risen up against the prevailing situation. In light of the circumstances where individuals work for $80-$100 a month, a minimal price hike on fundamental provisions leads to widespread popular discontent.
An unanticipated rebellion erupted in Angola at the close of July, stemming from a rise in oil prices, which ignited widespread civil disturbance across Luanda, the capital. Businesses were plundered, police engaged in skirmishes, lives and assets were lost, and crucially, internal trade ceased, thereby impeding Angolan commerce globally. Considering these events, it’s clear how significantly Angola suffered in a brief timeframe. Bringing all these points together, it’s evident how gravely affected Angola has been over a remarkably brief duration.
Indeed, the root cause was the surge in gas prices. Following the government’s removal of subsidies, a 30 percent price jump was observed. As a result, public transport fares were directly affected, and regrettably, matters spiraled out of control. Originally a three-day stoppage by taxi drivers protesting higher gasoline costs, the situation has exploded into one of the most far-reaching and chaotic protest waves the country has witnessed in recent years. Thousands converged for rallies in the capital, resulting in gridlocked streets, ransacked shops, ruined cars, and conflicts between demonstrators and the police force. Consequently, the armed forces entered the city and were compelled to employ force to put down the disturbances. If we dig a little deeper, we can see the real reason for this issue. As I’ve highlighted in earlier writings, Angola is a nation that has successfully initiated its industrial revolution. Its expanding industrial sector is generating a wealth of new job prospects for the local populace. However, the uneven management of the country’s resources sparks widespread indignation at even minimal price changes.
Considering Madagascar, the state of affairs there seems poised to be more severe and catastrophic than what is seen in Angola. To comprehend why thousands have taken to the streets of Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital, in recent days, one just needs to consider the cable car over the city. Finished this year with French financing, the cable car was intended to improve traffic flow, yet it rarely functions due to sporadic electricity supply, resulting in a city that looks like the worst ski area globally. As the country experiences its biggest protests in years, those demonstrating state their weariness of incessant power outages, insufficient water supply, and pervasive corruption.
The protesters feel a kinship with other young activists taking to the streets in other countries. Some are reminiscent of anti-government movements in Kenya. Others are waving the same pirate flags that recently appeared at demonstrations in Indonesia and Nepal. But the frustrations stem from local issues. GDP per capita has nearly halved since the end of French colonial rule in 1960, the largest decline in any country not experiencing civil war. While the demonstrations are the work of Generation Z, the grievances have persisted for decades.
There are seemingly simple economic explanations for why Madagascar is so poor. The vast majority of workers are subsistence farmers. The World Bank notes that land productivity and incomes are “on a downward trend,” partly due to worsening drought and deforestation. Data shows that while the population has grown from 5 million to 32 million since 1960, forest area has, conversely, fallen from 33 million hectares to 6 million hectares. With current growth, Madagascar’s living standards will require over 70 years to equal those of Rwanda and Uganda, which are listed among the least affluent African countries in terms of GDP per capita. Rudimentary infrastructure is catastrophically poor. The overall length of paved roads is possibly fifty percent less than it was in 1960. The cost to ship goods from Antananarivo to Tamatave, a mere 200 km away, surpasses that of delivering them to France. The numerous prevailing conditions in the country have prompted the Malagasy population to rebel and pursue a different objective. Having traveled to Madagascar on countless occasions, I feel immense sorrow over the challenges confronting this beautiful country. I earnestly hope for the nation’s problems to find a calm and quick resolution.
