AGP Executive Report

African Security Watch: UA Commission chief Mahmoud Ali Youssouf warned in Luanda that crises and tensions across Africa are worsening, citing terrorism, violent extremism, piracy and abuse of immigrants, with risks stretching “from Sudan to eastern DRC” and “through Madagascar,” and calling for stronger continental early-warning and better peace-funding. Football on TV & Beyond: DAZN secured LaLiga EA SPORTS rights for Sub-Saharan Africa through 2029, bringing all 380 matches per season to fans in 48 markets including Madagascar’s region, with English/Spanish commentary. Madagascar Arts Spotlight: Collector Hasnaine Yavarhoussen says her Venice Biennale support helped kick-start long-term backing for Malagasy artists via Fonds Yavarhoussen and Hakanto Contemporary, aiming to bring Madagascar’s art scene to the world. Local Creative Scene: The Reboli Center invites art lovers to its “Works on Paper” exhibition, spotlighting paper-based art and new works from artists alongside Joseph Reboli’s studies. Gaming with Malagasy roots: SEGA Publishing Korea will release Madagascar-based studio Red Raketa Studio’s action-adventure “Kalanoro” on Sept 24, built on Lemuria folklore and music-making companions.

Madagascar Arts & Culture: A major boost for local creativity is coming from gaming: Madagascar-based Red Raketa Studio’s action-adventure “Kalanoro” launches Sept 24, 2026, weaving Malagasy folklore and art into a new single-player world where players can even rescue lemur musician companions to form a band. Art Patron Spotlight: Collector Hasnaine Yavarhoussen is credited with helping make Madagascar’s Venice Biennale debut pavilion possible and now pushing long-term support for Malagasy artists through his Fonds and Hakanto Contemporary. Music & Media: Spotify is leaning into real-life fan communities, turning online fandom into gatherings—an angle that will resonate with Madagascar’s growing music scene. Sports Streaming: Football fans across Sub-Saharan Africa get a new deal: DAZN secured LaLiga EA Sports rights through 2028/29, starting this weekend. Local Arts Events: The Reboli Center invites art lovers to look closer at paper in its “Works on Paper” exhibition.

Sports Streaming Deal: DAZN has secured LaLiga EA Sports rights across Sub-Saharan Africa for three seasons (2026/27–2028/29), starting this weekend, with all 380 matches per season available live and on-demand in 48 markets, including Nigeria, plus English/Spanish commentary, highlights, archives and behind-the-scenes. Art & Community Spotlight: “The Giving Tree” opens at Art Produce Gallery, featuring sugar-based and paper-led storytelling by artist Andrea Chung and curated works tied to Madagascar’s wider art ecosystem. Madagascar Art to the World: Collector and patron Hasnaine Yavarhoussen reflects on helping fund Madagascar’s Venice Biennale pavilion and building long-term support via Fonds Yavarhoussen and Hakanto Contemporary. Local Creative Industry: Madagascar-set action-adventure game “Kalanoro” is set for release Sept. 24 on PS5, Switch and PC, drawing on Lemuria folklore and music-making companions. Film Calendar: The ninth BRIFF runs 4–12 September with an opening preview of Emmanuel Marre’s “A Man of His Time,” plus a lineup of recent international festival picks. Music & Fandom: Spotify is turning online fandom into real-life community, with new ways for fans to gather beyond streaming.

Madagascar in Games: SEGA Publishing Korea will release “Kalanoro,” a Madagascar-based action-adventure by Red Raketa Studio, on Sept 24 for PS5, Switch and PC—set in “Lemuria” with Malagasy folklore, plus a lemur-musician band feature. Art & Paper: The Reboli Center’s “Works on Paper” exhibition (opened Aug 25) spotlights Joseph Reboli’s watercolor studies and other paper-based works, with a focus on figurative, still life and abstract pieces. Art Patronage: Collector and patron Hasnaine Yavarhoussen says his Venice Biennale push helped spark long-term support for Madagascar’s art scene and wider global visibility. Music & Community: CHAGEE Malaysia’s Merdeka “Kraf” campaign pairs tea culture with craft and kite-making, including a limited “Seri Embun” drink inspired by Madagascar vanilla. Sports on Screen: DStv weekly highlights (Aug 28–Sep 3) and TV listings keep entertainment front and center for local viewers. Local Youth Concert: Antananarivo hosts a student concert marking Russian National Flag Day.

Madagascar Arts Abroad: Antananarivo-based collector Hasnaine Yavarhoussen says she’s determined to take Madagascar’s art scene to the world, tracing how her Venice Biennale support began in 2018 and grew into long-term backing via Fonds Yavarhoussen and Hakanto Contemporary. Music & Community: Spotify is spotlighting how online fandom can become real-life community, with a phone-free listening event experience described through a global music fan lens. Sports Administration: Nigeria’s football federation election process is suspended after resignations, with Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme named interim boss—an entertainment governance shake-up with regional ripple effects. Local Culture & Craft: CHAGEE Malaysia’s Merdeka “Kraf” campaign leans into handcraft traditions, featuring Madagascar vanilla in its limited “Seri Embun” tea and community kite-making. Madagascar in Games: SEGA Publishing Korea confirms action-adventure “Kalanoro,” set in a Madagascar-inspired folklore world, launching Sept 24 on PS5, Switch, and PC. Arts on Campus: Antananarivo hosted a Russian National Flag Day student concert at La Cité des Cultures, mixing music and readings from Russian authors.

Madagascar Arts & Film: Antananarivo’s Madagascar Film Festival is set to kick off, bringing more local screen culture to the capital. Local Music & Community: A student concert for Russian National Flag Day took place at La Cité des Cultures in Antananarivo, featuring performances and readings from Russian authors. Gaming & Folklore: SEGA Publishing Korea will release Madagascar-based studio Red Raketa Studio’s action-adventure “Kalanoro” on September 24, set in “Lemuria” with Madagascar folklore and a band-building twist. Sports (Regional Spotlight): Madagascar is mentioned among past Beach Soccer AFCON winners as qualifiers continue, keeping the island in the wider African beach-soccer conversation. Arts, Fashion & Taste: From Madagascar vanilla popping up in global fragrance and tea stories to a wave of international fashion/beauty launches, Madagascar-linked culture keeps showing up beyond the island.

Madagascar Film Festival: The Madagascar Film Festival kicked off in Antananarivo on 20 August, organized by ISSM, with screenings across 24 regions and six provinces. Havoria Anosy led the programme, with Cinepax Ambodivona hosting competition documentaries and animations, plus masterclasses, round-tables on film economics, and workshops on acting, screenwriting, and smartphone filmmaking. The festival runs through 23 August, ending with a gala and awards for 36 films across animation, documentaries, and fiction. Music & Politics: Mugithi star Samidoh addressed critics questioning his bid for Ol Joro Orok MP, saying voters should judge his ideas and character, not his profession. Gaming & Culture: SEGA Publishing Korea announced “Kalanoro,” an action-adventure by Madagascar’s Red Raketa Studio, launching September 24 on PS5, Switch, and PC, set in “Lemuria” blending Madagascar folklore and music. Arts & Community: Antananarivo also hosted a student concert for Russian National Flag Day at La Cité des Cultures, featuring Russian music and literary recitations.

Madagascar Film Festival: The Institute of Malagasy Cinema and Animation (ISSM) kicked off the Madagascar Film Festival in Antananarivo on 20 August, with screenings across 24 regions and six provinces, plus workshops on acting, screenwriting, smartphone filmmaking, animation, and film financing—ending 23 August with a gala and awards. Local Arts & Culture: A student concert for Russian National Flag Day filled Antananarivo’s La Cité des Cultures on 22 August, featuring music and readings from Russian authors and performers. Gaming (Madagascar link): SEGA Publishing Korea and New Tales announced “Kalanoro,” an action-adventure co-published for Asia, launching 24 September 2026 on PS5, Switch, and PC—set in a Lemuria world drawing on Madagascar folklore and featuring lemur musician companions. Sports (regional): Beach Soccer AFCON qualifiers set Nigeria against Ghana, with Madagascar noted as a past AFCON winner (2015). Science + community (arts angle): A Fulbright-National Geographic grantee plans to bring “an arts angle” to primate microbiome research in Uganda through local environmental education.

Madagascar Film Festival: The Institute of Malagasy Cinema and Animation (ISSM) kicked off the Madagascar Film Festival on 20 August in Antananarivo, with screenings across 24 regions and six provinces, plus workshops on acting, screenwriting, and smartphone filmmaking, and a gala awards finale on 23 August featuring 36 films in animation, documentary, and fiction categories. Local Screen Culture: The festival’s programme includes Cinepax Ambodivona screenings of competition documentaries and animations, while Havoria Anosy hosts feature film showings, a film economics round-table, and professional training sessions on production financing and international co-operation. Gaming & Folklore: SEGA Publishing Korea and French partner New Tales announced action-adventure “Kalanoro,” developed by Madagascar-based Red Raketa Studio, launching 24 September 2026 on PS5, Switch, and PC, set in “Lemuria” with Madagascar folklore and a lemur-musician band feature. Arts & Heritage Diplomacy: A Russian National Flag Day student concert in Antananarivo (22 August) showcased Russian music and literature by authors like Pushkin and Yesenin, with performances including Lyube and Shaman. Fashion & Beauty Buzz: BYREDO’s “Future Memories” Eau de Parfum is being pitched as a Madagascar-vanilla-led scent for autumn, while CHAGEE Malaysia’s “Seri Embun” milk tea blends Wuyi Da Hong Pao with Madagascar vanilla.

Madagascar Film Festival: The Institute of Malagasy Cinema and Animation (ISSM) kicked off the Madagascar Film Festival in Antananarivo on 20 August, with screenings across 24 regions and six provinces, plus workshops on acting, screenwriting, smartphone filmmaking, animation, and film financing, ending 23 August with a gala and awards for 36 films in five categories. Russian Flag Day in Antananarivo: A student concert at La Cité des Cultures on 22 August marked Russian National Flag Day, featuring performances by Russian artists and recitations of Pushkin, Yesenin and Asadov by university and secondary school participants. Sports on TV for Malagasy fans: Global listings were shared for Newcastle United vs Liverpool, with coverage available across many countries including Madagascar via DStv Now and SuperSport channels. Beach soccer qualifier: Nigeria’s Super Sand Eagles were drawn against Ghana for the 2026 Beach Soccer AFCON qualifiers, with Madagascar noted as a past winner (2015). Arts & culture beyond borders: A week of international culture coverage included a Madagascar-vanilla tea campaign (CHAGEE’s “Seri Embun”) and a new Mathis Picard album blending jazz with Madagascar rhythms.

Madagascar Film Festival: The Madagascar Film Festival opened on 20 August in Antananarivo, with screenings across 24 regions and six provinces, plus workshops on acting, screenwriting, smartphone filmmaking, animation, and film financing, ending 23 August with a gala and awards. Cultural Exchange: A student concert for Russian National Flag Day took place 22 August at La Cité des Cultures, featuring Russian music and literature by authors like Pushkin and Yesenin, with performances from artists including Shaman and Lyube. Music & Identity: A new international photography competition by the Down’s Syndrome Association named finalists for “My Perspective,” with entries including Madagascar, celebrating how people with Down’s syndrome see the world through themes like love, friendships, sunsets, and surfing. Arts & Lifestyle: Internationally, pianist Mathis Picard announced his debut album “The Sound Orchestra” (out Nov 6), drawing on rhythms including Madagascar, while BYREDO’s “Future Memories” fragrance campaign turns fleeting moments into scent-led memory. Global Context: A ranking by Global Finance placed Madagascar among the world’s 60 poorest countries by GDP-PPP per capita.

Madagascar Film Festival: The Institute of Malagasy Cinema and Animation (ISSM) kicked off the Madagascar Film Festival in Antananarivo on 20 August, with screenings across 24 regions and six provinces, plus masterclasses and workshops on smartphone filmmaking, animation, streaming, and film financing; the competition runs through 23 August with awards. Antananarivo Culture: A student concert for Russian National Flag Day took place on 22 August at La Cité des Cultures, featuring music and readings by Russian authors and performers. Fashion & Design (Global, with local relevance): A feature on Africa’s traditional fabrics spotlights how textile styles travel and evolve across borders—useful context for Madagascar’s own textile heritage. Arts & Media (Global): China-Africa audiovisual cooperation is expanding into co-productions and tech sharing, with more African programs airing on Chinese platforms. Community & Learning: A reminder that youth-focused arts spaces matter—one theater abroad is being converted into a year-round children’s recreation center.

Madagascar Film Festival: The Institute of Malagasy Cinema and Animation (ISSM) kicks off the Madagascar Film Festival in Antananarivo on 20 August, with screenings across 24 regions and six provinces, plus masterclasses, workshops (acting, screenwriting, sound and lighting), and a gala awards finish on 23 August featuring 36 films in animation, documentaries, and fiction categories. Student concert (Russian culture): Antananarivo marked Russian National Flag Day on 22 August at La Cité des Cultures, with performances of Russian songs and poetry by authors including Pushkin and Yesenin, organized by African Initiative and involving UAntananarivo Russian department staff and schools. Fashion & fragrance buzz: BYREDO’s Berlin Art Week-linked “Future Memories” Eau de Parfum turns scent into a “memory” theme, while Azzaro names South African actor Kwenzo Ngcobo as its first local brand ambassador for “Forever Wanted Absolu,” featuring Madagascar vanilla. Digital rights spotlight: Amnesty argues children’s online safety debates still exclude children themselves, even as governments and AI pledges grow louder. Community entrepreneurship: SokoFresh expands its solar cold-chain model into Seychelles and Madagascar, aiming to serve smallholder farmers at scale.

Madagascar Film Festival: The Institute of Malagasy Cinema and Animation (ISSM) kicked off the Madagascar Film Festival in Antananarivo on 20 August, with screenings across 24 regions and six provinces, plus masterclasses and workshops on acting, screenwriting, smartphone filmmaking, animation, streaming, and film financing; the 23 August gala will wrap up a competition featuring 36 films across animation, documentary, and fiction categories. Russian Culture in Antananarivo: A student concert at La Cité des Cultures marked Russian National Flag Day on 22 August, featuring performances of songs by Oleg Gazmanov, Yuri Antonov, Elena Maksimova, Shaman and Lyube, alongside poetry recitals by Pushkin and others. Arts & Heritage Diplomacy: Zimbabwe and South Africa signed six agreements at the Fourth Session of the Zimbabwe–South Africa Bi-National Commission in Pretoria, including cooperation on arts and heritage, women’s empowerment, and gender equality. Austronesian Art Links to Madagascar: A 4,000-year-old painted stone from Indonesia highlights Austronesian symbolic traditions across the Indian Ocean, including connections to Malagasy language and culture. Local Talent & Media: A China–Africa audiovisual cooperation update says more African programs are now airing on Chinese TV and online platforms, with co-productions and tech sharing expanding beyond dubbing.

Madagascar Film Festival: The Institute of Malagasy Cinema and Animation (ISSM) kicked off the Madagascar Film Festival in Antananarivo on 20 August, with screenings across 24 regions and six provinces, plus workshops on acting, screenwriting, smartphone filmmaking, animation, streaming, and film financing; the festival wraps 23 August with a gala and awards. Russian Flag Day in Antananarivo: A student concert at La Cité des Cultures on 22 August marked Russian National Flag Day, featuring Russian music and literature from authors like Pushkin and Yesenin, with performances by artists including Oleg Gazmanov and Lyube. Arts & Culture on the Air: China–Africa audiovisual cooperation keeps expanding, with more co-productions and technology sharing, as industry experts report growing two-way engagement across African media. Fashion & Identity (Madagascar link): Azzaro’s new local brand ambassador campaign spotlights South African actor Kwenzo Ngcobo, with the fragrance “Forever Wanted Absolu” featuring Madagascar vanilla. Community & Learning: A youth-focused concert and festival programming theme also shows up in the week’s wider entertainment coverage, from live music listings to film training sessions.

Madagascar Film Festival: The Madagascar Film Festival opened 20 August in Antananarivo, with screenings and workshops running across 24 regions and six provinces, and a gala awards finale set for 23 August at Havoria Anosy, featuring 36 films across animation, documentary and fiction categories. Arts & Heritage Diplomacy: Zimbabwe and South Africa signed six cooperation agreements at the Fourth BNC in Pretoria, including a deal covering arts and heritage, alongside correctional services, agriculture, women’s empowerment and gender equality. Textiles & Culture: A feature on Africa’s traditional fabrics highlights how designs and techniques travel and transform across regions, with batik traced back to Indonesian wax-printing traditions. Youth, Media & Protest: A report on Madagascar’s Gen-Z uprising links late-2025 street protests over basic services to a wider push against state capture, raising questions about what comes next. Music & Screen Culture: China-Africa audiovisual cooperation is expanding through co-productions, dubbing and technology sharing, with more African programs airing on Chinese TV and online platforms.