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Liz and Tom with participants at a workshop for civil society activists co-organised by Transparency Initiative Madagascar and the UK embassy, Antananarivo

Liz Dávid-Barrett and Tom Shipley of the Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence Research Programme (GI ACE), based at Sussex’s Centre for the Study of Corruption (CSC), visited Madagascar in March 2026 to present international lessons on countering state capture to senior political leaders, civil society, and youth activists.

Following Gen-Z protests in September 2025 and a subsequent change in government, Madagascar finds itself in a political window of opportunity to counter state capture. The outlook is uncertain, however, presenting a key moment to shape the debate.

With Malagasy co‑authors Dafy Faramalala Andriamparany (GI ACE Research Fellow) and Ketakandriana Rafitoson (Transparency International Vice Chair), the GI ACE team launched a report during their visit, Madagascar at a crossroads: breaking the cycle of state capture. Available in both English and French, it consolidates international lessons on combatting state capture and applies them to Madagascar’s current political context.

The launch event for the report was attended by more than 150 delegates, including the new Malagasy Prime Minister Mamitiana Rajaonarison, several government ministers, senior leaders in the judiciary, and leaders of the Gen-Z movement and civil society organisations.

Liz and Tom led a subsequent workshop for 30 Gen-Z leaders which supported the group in developing recommendations on combatting state capture in Madagascar. The group pitched these recommendations directly to the President of Madagascar, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, the following day. They also presented principles on fighting state capture to a group of 10 ambassadors from democratic countries.

The visit was supported by the UK embassy in Madagascar, and the events were organised in partnership with a civil society organisation, Transparency International Initiative Madagascar.

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