In Antananarivo, traffic congestion weighs heavily on the economy, with losses estimated at 40 million dollars per year. This chronic congestion is fueled by rapid urbanization, saturated infrastructure, and a recurring lack of discipline and urban planning.
The economic losses caused by road congestion are significant: the World Bank estimates them at approximately 40 million dollars annually for Antananarivo, representing 0.34% of GDP (Transport and Mobility Study, February 2022). According to the Cercle de réflexion des économistes de Madagascar (Crem), this amount is explained by three main components: lost time, excessive fuel consumption, and disruptions to economic activities.
The first factor concerns the hours accumulated in traffic jams. Mamololona Ramarokoto, Secretary General of Crem, explains that based on an average of two hours of traffic per day and 300 working days per year, the cost can be valued at an average hourly rate of 1.50 dollars. In the transport sector, vehicles idling or moving slowly consume more fuel, increasing operating costs for professionals and budgets for users. Jean Louis Émile Rakotonirina, president of the Union of Urban Transport Cooperatives (UCTU), notes that transporters lose 4 to 5 hours a day, resulting in a daily shortfall of up to 60,000 ariary.
This congestion is primarily due to the rapid population growth of the capital. With 3.3 million inhabitants, Antananarivo remains the country’s main hub. The Urban Commune of Antananarivo (CUA) estimates that between 100,000 and 250,000 vehicles circulate daily on roads designed for a maximum of 50,000. The World Bank report also highlights the lack of land-use planning and weaknesses in public transport management.
To improve traffic flow, the Commune has begun reinstalling traffic lights on major axes, such as in Analakely. Experts recommend a long-term strategy, including the creation of secondary roads, bypasses, and peripheral axes to avoid the city center, as well as modernizing the public transport network to encourage motorists to leave their individual vehicles behind.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-24 05:54:11 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/circulation-les-embouteillages-coutent.html
