Best known for its wildlife and vanilla exports, Madagascar is quietly building a cultural tourism sector, led by artist Joël Andrianomearisoa, the country’s first representative at the Venice Biennale. In 2020, Andrianomearisoa founded Hakanto Contemporary with collector Hasnaine Yavarhoussen. The arts center, based in Antananarivo, has grown steadily over the years, from 100 attendees at its opening to 1,500 at a recent exhibition. More importantly, 80% of visitors are young Malagasy nationals aged 15 to 25. To ensure a more robust cultural sector, Yavarhoussen is also seeking to repatriate historical and modern works held abroad to Madagascar. Meanwhile, the Rova of Antananarivo, the country’s restored 19th-century royal palace, has become a top attraction, drawing roughly 30,000 visitors annually. Despite limited government funding, the palace and emerging art scene show Madagascar’s potential to diversify tourism and build a stronger cultural economy.
African Business