On September 23, 2025, the official opening of the third edition of FTHM Expo, entitled “Madagascar: Over 1300 Years of Living Economic History”, took place at La Cité des Cultures in Antaninarenina. Organized by FTHM Consulting, in partnership with the Department of History of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Antananarivo, this exhibition aims to retrace the major milestones of Madagascar’s socio-economic history, from the first commercial exchanges to today’s contemporary challenges.
The event was held under the patronage of Mr. Richard Ranarivony, Vice President of the University of Antananarivo, representing the academic institution that partnered in this initiative. The inaugural speech was delivered by Mr. Fidelis Randrianirina, Partner at FTHM Consulting, who outlined the vision and objectives of the exhibition. This was followed by the address of Mr. Richard Ranarivony, who highlighted the importance of revisiting history to better understand the country’s current economic challenges.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Fidelis Randrianirina emphasized:
“The economic history of Madagascar is not merely a sequence of dates or figures. It is a living narrative, made up of successes and innovations, but also of crises and decisive choices. To know this history is to draw lessons from the past in order to better build the future.”
Guests had the opportunity to join a special guided tour led by Mr. Alain Pierre Bernard, who provided an insightful presentation of the panels retracing Madagascar’s economic history across four major periods:
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Ancient period: Madagascar until the late 18th century
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Royal period: Madagascar in the 19th century
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Colonial period: Madagascar during colonization
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Republican period: Madagascar after colonization
The exhibition also includes panels dedicated to the history of FTHM Consulting since its creation, tracing 30 years of growth and commitment.
Overview of the Exhibition
This exhibition offers a journey through more than 1,300 years of Malagasy economic history, highlighting ambitions, innovations, crises, and decisive choices that have shaped the nation. It sheds light on both the achievements and the challenges of development, while offering reflections on the present and the conditions for building a fairer, more resilient, and more prosperous Madagascar.
The morning concluded with a convivial cocktail reception, encouraging dialogue and exchanges among participants.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of this inauguration: our academic partners, our collaborators, and of course, all our guests for their presence and engagement. Your participation gives strong meaning to our initiative and to our ambition of collectively sharing the richness of Madagascar’s economic history.
The exhibition runs until October 31, 2025, Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at La Cité des Cultures in Antaninarenina. Admission is free and open to all.