Madagascar becomes 14th country to ratify SADC agreement
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on NewsMada
Madagascar has ratified the SADC agreement on trade in services, becoming the 14th of 16 member states to do so. The agreement is expected to facilitate access for Malagasy service providers to the regional market and support investment, jobs and trade in services, according to NewsMada.
Madagascar’s National Assembly adopted the bill No. 046/2026 the day before yesterday ratifying the SADC agreement on trade in services, making the country the 14th of the 16 member states to take this step, according to NewsMada. The services sector accounts for 50% of Madagascar’s GDP and the agreement is expected to open regional markets further to the country’s service providers.
The SADC regional market has more than 400 million consumers, according to the Malagasy authorities. The Ministry of Trade and Consumer Affairs, which submitted the bill, said the agreement is expected in particular to promote foreign direct investment and support transport, telecommunications, tourism, financial services and professional services.
The ratification comes as Madagascar seeks to develop the activities of service companies beyond the domestic market. The agreement is also expected to contribute to foreign-currency inflows and job creation, according to the Malagasy authorities.
The move comes after Cyril Ramaphosa’s presidency of the Southern African Development Community, announced on 20 August 2026, and is part of a series of regional initiatives focused on economic trade.
