Inauguration of Africa's Longest Cable Car Line in Antananarivo, Madagascar
A Major Milestone in the Country's Infrastructure Development
Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, has discreetly inaugurated the longest cable car line in Africa and the French-speaking world, as well as the second-longest in the world outside of Latin America. Stretching over 8.7 kilometers, this 100% eco-friendly cable car symbolizes the progressive modernization of a country that has long been lagging behind in terms of infrastructure.
Key Features of the Cable Car Line
- The "orange line," installed by the French company Poma and financed to the tune of 152 million euros as part of a Franco-Malagasy partnership, was inaugurated on August 15th and opened to the public the following day.
- The line will help to reduce congestion in the capital, known for its traffic jams, while also decreasing pollution.
- Connecting Ambatobe to Lake Anosy, the line features seven stations served by 198 12-seat cabins, with an average speed of 20 km/h, allowing passengers to travel between the two poles in under 30 minutes.
- A "green line" is also planned for the future.
A Rare Achievement in Africa
This cable car makes Madagascar one of the few African countries with a cable transport system, alongside Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa. It far surpasses similar infrastructure on the continent, being the longest in Africa and the French-speaking world.
Global Ranking
Globally, the Antananarivo orange line ranks fifth, surpassing several recent European and African projects. It is also the second-longest outside of Latin America, behind the Mérida cable car in Venezuela.
Current and Future Operations
The cable car is currently operating during peak hours, transporting a few thousand passengers per day. By January 2026, it is expected to reach a capacity of 50,000 daily passengers thanks to the commissioning of a solar park that will power the line in a completely eco-friendly manner.
Affordable and Competitive Pricing
At 3,000 Ariary per ticket (approximately 0.60 euros), the fare remains relatively high for many Malagasy citizens but is lower than the cost of taxis or taxi-motos, offering a fast and modern way to get around the capital.
Part of a Larger National Modernization Program
This inauguration is part of a vast national modernization program. Madagascar, a former emerging country weakened by decades of political and economic instability, is investing heavily in infrastructure, particularly in transportation and renewable energy production.
Other Notable Projects
Among the major projects, the construction of the country's first highway connecting Antananarivo to Tamatave, and the modernization of the capital's bus fleet with 312 new Chinese vehicles, are reinforcing this movement.
Energy Production and Tourism Development
In terms of electricity production, a large solar park, a recent thermal power plant, and a future large hydroelectric dam aim to increase the availability of electricity, which is still limited to less than 40% of the population. This development will enable the country to grow its key sectors, such as tourism, which is still in its infancy, with the goal of tripling the number of foreign visitors by 2028.
A Promising Future for Madagascar
Madagascar, rich in natural resources (vanilla, sapphire, graphite) and endowed with a vast and diverse territory, has all the cards in hand to regain its place among the most dynamic African economies, provided it accompanies these projects with good governance and economic reforms.
