Ai revolution: Madagascar leads Africa in smart customs overhaul
In a bold step toward technological transformation, Madagascar is emerging as Africa’s trailblazer in using artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize customs operations—an initiative that has already yielded dramatic results.
The Malagasy customs administration, with strategic backing from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), is undergoing a sweeping digital overhaul anchored in an ambitious strategy stretching to 2029.
The initiative aims to boost transparency, combat fraud, and modernize the country’s trade infrastructure in a way that could serve as a model across the continent.
Unlike many modernization efforts that stop at upgrading tools, Madagascar is fundamentally reimagining its entire operational approach.
Central to this vision is the integration of AI into all customs procedures—using data centralization and real-time analytics to monitor trade flows, detect irregularities, and streamline revenue collection.
As part of this transformation, IMF experts Victor Budeau and François Chastel recently conducted two weeks of intensive training in Antananarivo.
Their mission was to strengthen local AI capabilities, support digital governance, and assist in embedding existing AI technologies into the customs framework.
The initiative reflects the IMF’s growing confidence in Madagascar’s potential to serve as a regional leader in digital innovation.
And the numbers are already speaking volumes.
Between January 2024 and January 2025, Madagascar’s customs revenue surged by 68%.
Tools such as RESNET (for automatic image analysis), Smart Scanning, and the ERA system (Enhanced Risk Assessment) have played a pivotal role—speeding up inspections, improving accuracy, and curbing corruption through automation and data-driven decision-making.
The IMF has since designated Madagascar as a pilot country for AI-driven customs reform in Africa—an accolade that signals both recognition and responsibility.
By positioning itself as a regional digital hub, Madagascar hopes to not only refine its own systems but also export its expertise to neighboring countries.
In an increasingly digital global economy, Madagascar is proving that technological ambition and strategic support can elevate even small island nations into leaders of innovation.
