Madagascar is a country much appreciated for its welcome, its rare biodiversity and its unique civilization, but also for its social fabric and the people who contribute to it. These companies and organizations make the red island attractive and are known to everyone on the island. From family-run businesses to limited companies and continental-scale enterprises, this article lists the companies you need to know about when visiting Madagascar.
There are only Malagasy companies on the list, and their number rises to 4. These are the companies you need to know if you’re traveling to Madagascar. Here we tell you all about them!

Telma Madagascar

With sales of almost $400 million in 2016, Telma is certainly the first company you’ll come across if you travel to Madagascar. It is the island’s incumbent telephone operator. The company is owned by a French-Malagasy national. The businessman and billionaire owns the Axian group, as well as telco, a telephone operator based in Mayotte, in partnership with free mobile (French telephone operator).
If you’re traveling to Madagascar, it’s highly likely that your cell phone will pick up Telma’s network via a telephone transmitter, and if you want to buy a sim when you arrive at the airport, Telma is one of the choices you’ll be offered alongside two other operators (orange and airtel). Telma is a Malagasy group, which is one of the reasons we’re presenting it to you.
The company employs over 1,200 people in 2016 and has over 3 million subscribers. The company is deeply committed to the social, educational and pedagogical development of the regions in which it operates. It owns the Telma Foundation, which works to build schools in landlocked regions. The foundation works closely with local and international NGOs for the development of Madagascar. Telma is also involved in the networking of young companies through its Next A initiative.

Robert

Founded in 1940, Chocolaterie Robert is the company you’ll come across if you enjoy chocolate from Madagascar. Organized as a limited company since 1977, it produces the island’s finest and most refined chocolate. The company is both a producer and reseller of cocoa. Robert has a boutique in Paris, as well as stores in Tananarive, Tamatave, Antsirabe, Nosy Be and Diégo-Suarez.
The chocolate factory has several product ranges, including 100g chocolate bars, chocolate sweets, cocoa from its own plantations, and other confectionery sold as by-products. If you can’t make it to a Chocolaterie Robert store, you’ll still be able to find their products in supermarkets and other stores on the island (although only the chocolate bars will be available, so you’ll have to go to the store to get the full range).
Chocolaterie robert products are served in most of the island’s restaurants and hotels, as a dessert or as an accompaniment to a cake.
Chocolaterie robert products are very popular on the island. They have a real appeal, are known and consumed by all, and punctuate the daily lives of its inhabitants, being offered to celebrate Easter, Christmas, Mardi Gras, or as everyday treats.

Star

Founded in 1947, the star group is an anonymous beverage distributor. Groupe Star beverages can be found all over the island, from the north to the south of Madagascar. Headquartered in Tananarive, the company distributes beers, sparkling juices and table water. If you drink a soft drink such as coca cola, fanta or sprite, it’s highly likely that it comes from the star group’s factories.
Star is a Malagasy company under French management. It employs almost 2,000 people and has redistributors in every medium-sized town in the country.
It is a flagship of Malagasy industry, celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2020, and a real source of employment for Malagasy households. To quote a well-known saying about the company: “everyone knows someone in their entourage who works at star”. The company is very famous in Malagasy households and enjoys real public favor.
Star can also be found in other Indian Ocean countries.
The star brewery’s most famous beer is THB, three horse beer, in 65cl or 33cl sizes, a locally-flavored beer much appreciated for its pronounced barley aroma. If you travel to Madagascar and order a beer, you’ll be able to savor its aroma.

Visy gasy

A Madagascan company, and the only company on this list with a unique range of products for sale Visy gasy, is the company you’ll come across if you order sparkling water in Madagascar. It has the island’s most popular and renowned sparkling water.
Its water is sourced and bottled in Antsirabe. The company has been in existence for over 60 years and is one of the island’s most historic enterprises.
Alongside cristal (star group), ranovisy, Visy gasy shares the sparkling water market in Madagascar. Its taste is characterized by small bubbles and a lively thermal flavor. Visy gasy is served only in 1L and 0.5L plastic bottles. The bottles can be found in all supermarkets and other stores in Madagascar.
The company is very popular with Malagasy consumers, as it is 100% produced by Malagasy workers.
Visy Gasy sparkling water goes very well with lemon zest or slices, syrup or alcohol. It can be drunk at room temperature or iced. Visy gasy is a natural sparkling water high in potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium. The water is recommended for digestive problems or for optimal hydration.