Everyday security in Madagascar is broadly manageable, but the risks fall into two groups: riots and looting when politics turns unstable, and kidnapping for ransom and robbery aimed at foreign businesspeople. During protests in the capital in September 2025 a Chinese-run mall was looted and burned. In October 2025 the military took power, and the country is still led by a transitional president.
Chinese traders should secure their shops, have an emergency plan, avoid crowds, stay away from illegal gold mining and wildlife trading, and keep embassy and police numbers at hand.
Overall picture
The 2025 edition of China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) country guide says security is broadly stabilising: the government has spent more on security since 2025 and there was no large-scale violent incident that year. But drug trafficking, smuggling and armed gangs have not been dealt with, and the situation has not clearly improved. The guide also warns that kidnappings for ransom, especially of wealthy foreign businesspeople, still occur, and many international bodies still rate Madagascar as a high-risk country for investment.
- Antananarivo: the capital is the political centre and the main site of protests. The September 2025 unrest began there; authorities imposed a night curfew in the capital and extended it to other major cities the next day.
- Remote mining areas: in August 2026 the embassy warned that gold sites are usually remote, with harsh conditions, poor security and frequent collapses.
- Provinces: MOFCOM warns of a higher risk of plague, measles and malaria in the provinces; cyclones often hit the coast, and drought and desertification are worsening in the south.
General safety basics for Chinese citizens across Africa are in our Africa essentials.
The 2025 unrest and change of government
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 25 September 2025 | Mass protests over repeated water and power cuts broke out in the capital. The Chinese embassy warned the same day that the situation was not under control and Chinese-run shops had been affected, and told Chinese citizens to close shops, limit non-essential outings and avoid protesters. |
| 25–26 September 2025 | A Chinese-run mall near the protest area was looted and burned; a Chinese trader estimated losses at RMB 50–60 million in goods. Another attack on 26 September was repelled, and local Chinese paid police and soldiers to guard their premises. |
| 29 September 2025 | The UN human rights office said at least 22 people had died and more than 100 were injured, some killed in violence and looting by gangs not linked to the protesters. |
| October 2025 | President Andry Rajoelina fled abroad and was impeached by parliament; the High Constitutional Court endorsed the army takeover. On 17 October army colonel Michael Randrianirina was sworn in as president. |
| September 2026 | The Chinese embassy refers to him as the “transitional president”. |
MOFCOM also notes that Madagascar went through a political crisis with serious riots in 2009. Politically sensitive periods (elections, protests, changes of government) are when Chinese shops are most at risk.
Main risks for Chinese residents and businesses
Looting and arson during unrest
Chinese malls and shops hold a lot of stock and cash, which makes them targets during riots. The lesson of September 2025: close immediately when trouble starts, move valuable stock and cash out early, and do not try to defend the shop against looters. Consider political risk insurance from China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation (Sinosure); see registering a company in Madagascar.
Kidnapping for ransom
MOFCOM says kidnappings for ransom still happen and wealthy foreign businesspeople are the main targets. Local media have described one method: on the evening of 10 July 2025, armed men posing as agents of the Anti-Corruption Court (PAC) took a man from his home in Ankadikely Ilafy, on the outskirts of the capital, and demanded Ar 10 million from his family. The family called the authorities; gendarmes freed him the next day and arrested suspects including two soldiers (the report did not give the victim’s nationality). If people claiming to be officials come to take someone away, check their identity, ask to see their papers, and call a lawyer and the embassy at once.
Robbery and burglary
MOFCOM advises: don’t carry large amounts of cash; keep ID, important papers and cash in separate places; change your routine and travel times so no one can learn your habits; don’t go out alone at night or to isolated places. If you are robbed and the attackers clearly outnumber you or are not trying to hurt you, stay calm and comply; afterwards note their descriptions and vehicle plates and report to the police quickly.
Official inspections
Police, gendarmes, tax, customs and labour inspectors may inspect premises or check papers. MOFCOM advises: show your papers and cooperate; during a search, ask to see the officers’ ID or search warrant and ask to contact a lawyer; if documents or goods are confiscated, ask for a receipt or inventory and note badge and vehicle numbers; get a receipt for any fine; don’t confront officers directly but act through a lawyer. For document and visa requirements, see Madagascar visas and work permits.
Phone and online scams
In September 2026 the embassy warned that scammers spoof caller IDs, pose as embassy staff or Chinese police and prosecutors, or offer “cheap currency exchange”. Be wary of unknown calls, texts, emails and links, don’t give personal details to strangers, and don’t transfer money lightly.
Illegal gold mining and wildlife
Madagascar has suspended gold exploration and mining permits since 2010, artisanal permits go only to Malagasy citizens, and mining gold without a permit is illegal. In 2026 several Chinese citizens were arrested on suspicion of illegal gold mining and gold smuggling, and the embassy said in June and again in August that it supports a firm crackdown. In February 2025 the embassy also reminded citizens to obey wildlife protection laws: lemurs, chameleons, tortoises, sea cucumbers, rosewood, ebony and other protected species must not be taken out of the country.
Health and food
Don’t drink tap water or eat raw or cold food; drink bottled water. Take malaria precautions in the provinces and see a doctor promptly if you have symptoms.
Practical checklist
- Draw up an emergency plan for your shop or company, put one person in charge of security, buy basic security equipment and hire local guards.
- Build contacts with the local police station and gendarmerie and keep their numbers.
- When tension rises, close the shop, limit outings, avoid protests and crowds, and watch for road closures and curfews.
- Keep several days of drinking water, food, medicine and fuel, keep phones charged and have a generator.
- Spread cash across locations and use banks for large payments. You may take out foreign currency worth up to €10,000, and amounts above €1,000 need an exchange receipt.
- Carry your ID or residence papers, and keep a separate copy of your passport.
- Save the numbers of the China–Madagascar Security Mutual Aid Association and follow the embassy website and WeChat account for alerts.
Emergency numbers
| Purpose | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 117 (17 also works); also 020 22 357 09, 020 22 357 10 |
| Rapid-response police | 020 23 801 38, 020 23 801 39 |
| Fire | 18, 118 |
| Ambulance | 020 22 357 53, 020 22 200 40 |
| Chinese medical team, Antananarivo duty phone | 0321108888 |
| Chinese embassy consular protection line | +261-330788188 (same number on WeChat) |
| China–Madagascar Security Mutual Aid Association | +261-347414426, +261-383696666 |
| MFA Global Consular Protection and Service hotline (24 h) | +86-10-12308 or +86-10-65612308 |
Numbers are from the 2025 MOFCOM guide and a September 2026 embassy notice. Check them on the embassy website, mg.china-embassy.gov.cn, before relying on them.
Consular protection
When the lawful rights of Chinese citizens in Madagascar are violated (including those who have broken local law), they can ask the consular section of the Chinese embassy for protection and assistance within Chinese consular policy, international law and local law. The consular section can be reached on +261-20-2240856 or +261-330788188, at Nanisana, Antananarivo. For what consular protection can and cannot do, see our consular protection guide. If your passport is stolen or lost, see replacing a Chinese passport in Africa. For community associations and mutual-aid groups, see the Chinese community in Madagascar; for a country overview, see our Madagascar guide.
References
- Country Guide for Foreign Investment and Cooperation: Madagascar, 2025 edition (MOFCOM / Chinese Embassy Economic and Commercial Office, 2025)
- Chinese embassy: mass protests in Antananarivo, Chinese-run shops affected (The Paper, 2025)
- Madagascar protests: Chinese mall looted, 60 million yuan in losses (The Standard (Hong Kong), 2025)
- Violent response to youth-led protests in Madagascar leave at least 22 dead, U.N. says (Associated Press / PBS NewsHour, 2025)
- Madagascar coup leader Randrianirina sworn in as president (Reuters (via Citizen Digital), 2025)
- Ambassador Ji Ping pays farewell call on Transitional President Randrianirina (Chinese Embassy in Madagascar, 2026)
- Kidnapping in Ankadikely: two soldiers jailed at Tsiafahy (AllAfrica (Malagasy press), 2025)
- Embassy reminds Chinese citizens in Madagascar to travel safely during the National Day and Mid-Autumn holidays (Chinese Embassy in Madagascar, 2026)
- Embassy warns Chinese citizens not to take part in illegal gold mining (Chinese Embassy in Madagascar, 2026)
- Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Madagascar (Chinese Embassy in Madagascar, 2026)
- Madagascar capital riots: Chinese mall looted, RMB 60 million lost, army guards hired afterwards (HK01, 2025)