Fianarantsoa–East Coast Railway Marks 90th Anniversary as Madagascar Reaffirms Recovery Plans
Madagascar’s Fianarantsoa–East Coast Railway (FCE) marked its 90th anniversary on 10 April 2026, with the Ministry of Transport and Meteorology reaffirming its commitment to the recovery and rehabilitation of the strategic railway line.
The FCE plays an important role for communities in the Matsiatra Ambony and Fitovinany regions, supporting mobility, local economic activity and tourism along the corridor. Minister of Transport and Meteorology, Andrianavalona Ramanambola Herizo, attended the anniversary ceremony and underlined the government’s commitment to restoring the line.
He stated that infrastructure rehabilitation and modernisation remain priorities as part of efforts to give the FCE renewed momentum. As part of the anniversary programme, a visit was conducted to the railway workshops to assess the condition of equipment and identify maintenance needs. The inspection included the Micheline railcar, locomotives and passenger coaches. According to the ministry, the visit reflected its intention to respond directly to operational realities on the ground and move forward with targeted action.
Despite the challenges currently facing the FCE, the ministry said efforts by the company and its employees are continuing. Support for the recovery of the railway is being framed around three main priorities: strengthening staff skills, modernising equipment, and mobilising partnerships and funding at both national and international levels.
During his address, the minister stated: “The FCE will not be left abandoned.” The anniversary ceremony concluded with the presentation of awards to the winners of the competition to design the commemorative logo for the 90th anniversary. The ministry described the logo as both a tribute to the railway’s history and a symbol of its future recovery.
