Daily dysfunctions are no longer just minor inconveniences for residents; this chronic burden weighs heavily on the economic vitality of the capital. Power outages, water shortages, traffic congestion, and the high cost of medicine are taking a real toll on household budgets.
Miranto, a single mother living in Andraisoro, explains that the extra expenses caused by these issues consume a third of her monthly salary. Whether it is buying water from private wells, paying for motorcycle taxis to avoid traffic, or investing in rechargeable lamps to cope with power cuts, these costs are mounting. Similarly, businesses like local pharmacies and cybercafés are forced to invest in generators and anti-load-shedding devices, further straining their finances.
Economist Mamololona Ramarokoto points out that these individual costs aggregate into a significant macroeconomic impact. When households spend more on basic utilities, their consumption and savings capacity diminish, hindering long-term projects. Furthermore, businesses face reduced productivity and higher operational costs, which threatens Madagascar’s overall economic competitiveness.
In response, institutional efforts are underway. Jirama is diversifying its energy sources, including solar power, while the World Bank-funded PAAEP project is increasing water production in Mandroseza. Infrastructure projects, such as the Anosizato flyover, are also in progress, though experts note that these efforts remain insufficient given the scale of the needs.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-26 05:53:34 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/services-publics-le-prix-cache-des.html
