Intersecting Portraits of a Rising Generation in Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Region
Swept by the crosswinds of the Mozambique Channel and the Indian Ocean, a new generation of leaders is redefining the contours of finance not only in Madagascar but also in the Comoros, Mauritius, and the wider region. They are bankers, insurers, industrialists, fund managers, or digital strategists — united by a shared ambition: to build sustainable economic models rooted in regional dynamics and open to international investment. Here is a mosaic of rising figures in Madagascar’s evolving economic landscape.
Hugues Bonshe Makalebo, the Network Strategist
CEO of Baobab Bank Madagascar and President of the Professional Association of Banks, Congolese-born Hugues Bonshe embodies the balance between banking expertise and institutional influence. As head of the external relations committee of the Groupement des Entreprises de Madagascar (GEM), he played a central role in organizing the meeting between MEDEF International and the Malagasy private sector during President Macron’s visit in April 2024.
A discreet figure formerly with the Microcred Group, he also sits on the supervisory board of Baobab DRC. As a key interface between the French and Malagasy business communities, he exemplifies a transversal profile that blends economic diplomacy with financial structuring.
Gervais Atta, the Regional Interface
A well-connected professional with an international career, Gervais Atta is now Regional Director for the Indian Ocean at Atlantic Group. In Madagascar, he chairs the GEM’s international affairs commission. Actively bridging local realities and continental issues, he has driven strategic partnerships between Malagasy companies and African firms from the Gulf of Guinea.
Ina Kadiatou Diallo and Abissa Vance, the Bancassurance Duo
At the helm of AFG Bank Madagascar, Ina Kadiatou Diallo is a rising force in the banking sector. Originally from West Africa, she has successfully led the young and ambitious bank through solid growth. Alongside her, Abissa Vance heads AFG Assur, the group’s insurance arm. Together, they embody an integrated bancassurance model and play an active role in advancing financial inclusion.
Marieme Sav Sow, the Revelation of the Year
Managing Director of TotalEnergies Marketing Madagasikara, Marieme Sav Sow stands out in a male-dominated sector. Voted “Woman CEO of the Year 2024” at the Indian Ocean CEO Summit, the Senegalese executive exemplifies committed leadership. Her career — spanning Boston, Paris, Dakar, and Antananarivo — is built on performance, innovation, and diversity.
Under her leadership, TotalEnergies has launched several pioneering projects: solar-powered service stations, the introduction of Excellium fuel, and inclusive initiatives such as the “Mommy & Me Corner” for working mothers. Engaged and visionary, Marieme is now a voice that matters in the region’s economic elite.
Antoine Evrad Evouna Ossi, the BGFI Restructurer
Appointed in July 2023 as head of BGFIBank Madagascar, Cameroonian banker Antoine Evrad Evouna Ossi is steering a deep restructuring of the institution. His strategy focuses on large enterprises and high-potential SMEs, while investing heavily in digital tools and remote banking. Under his leadership, the bank is repositioning as an agile player aligned with Madagascar’s market needs and BGFI Group’s pan-African DNA.
Guy Foka, the Tech and Outsourcing Visionary
Former CEO of Atos, Guy Foka now leads Konecta Madagascar, a major BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) player in the Indian Ocean. Vice President of the international affairs commission, he is a prominent face of Madagascar’s new economy, driven by outsourced digital services. Bridging tech and talent, he advocates for the professionalization of the sector.
Around these profiles, a broader map of regional economic leadership is taking shape. Other emerging names are gaining visibility:
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Anne-Catherine Tchokonté, CEO of Airtel Madagascar since January 2024 and former executive at Orange Money Cameroon. A graduate of École Polytechnique and Ponts et Chaussées in France, she also trained at the Frankfurt School in Germany.
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Hossen Sako, a certified energy expert;
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Ambroise Kramo, telecom veteran with experience at Orange in Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, and Madagascar;
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Josiane Yaguibou, an advocate for women’s leadership.
Together, they are shaping a new generation of actors thinking of the Indian Ocean in terms of networks, synergies, and cross-border ambitions. Like the ocean currents that connect East Africa, the islands, and Asia, these young leaders are weaving a web of influence that transcends borders. They speak the language of compliance, ESG, digital transformation, private equity — but also economic diplomacy and soft power. In Madagascar, they are the architects of an emerging regional capitalism.
