Antananarivo’s $173 Million Cable Car Project Stalls Amid Cost, Power, and Trust Issues

A three-year, $173 million cable-car system in Madagascar’s capital was inaugurated in 2024 by former President Andry Rajoelina as a solution to chronic traffic congestion. After a brief trial, the lines have been idle for weeks, with cables hanging above the city while commuters rely on overcrowded minibuses.

This African city thought cable cars could fix its traffic gridlock. It was wrong

Antananarivo’s population has grown from roughly 300,000 in the 1960s to about three million today, outpacing the city’s infrastructure. The cable-car concept was promoted as a faster alternative to minibus taxis, which dominate African urban transport but contribute to severe gridlock.

This African city thought cable cars could fix its traffic gridlock. It was wrong

• Construction cost: ? $173 million, financed with French loans.

This African city thought cable cars could fix its traffic gridlock. It was wrong

• Projected capacity: up to 75,000 riders per day.

This African city thought cable cars could fix its traffic gridlock. It was wrong

• Intended fare: 70–90 cents per trip, six to eight times a minibus ride.

This African city thought cable cars could fix its traffic gridlock. It was wrong

• Average monthly commuter salary (2022 World Bank): ? $72.

This African city thought cable cars could fix its traffic gridlock. It was wrong

• Expected travel-time reduction: from up to three hours by road to 10–30 minutes on the cable.

This African city thought cable cars could fix its traffic gridlock. It was wrong

Rajoelina called the system a “landmark moment,” likening its inauguration to the Eiffel Tower and arguing that the city’s steep terrain made light-rail impractical. A French consortium that participated in construction completed an inspection in March 2025 and submitted its findings to Malagasy authorities, leaving the decision on the system’s future to the transitional government.

This African city thought cable cars could fix its traffic gridlock. It was wrong

Demonstrations have erupted over chronic electricity and water shortages, with protestors confronting riot police. During the 2024 coup that ousted Rajoelina, several cable-car stations were damaged or set ablaze, reflecting public frustration with perceived government neglect of basic services.

This African city thought cable cars could fix its traffic gridlock. It was wrong

• “In a city where they cannot even fix the roads, how can we trust being more than 20 meters (65 feet) above the ground when there is a power cut?” — Erica, shop owner

Associated Press

• “Antananarivo was built for 300,000 inhabitants. Now there are three million of us,” — Andry Rajoelina, former president

This African city thought cable cars could fix its traffic gridlock. It was wrong

• “Obviously people will not use it because money is far more key than time,” — Pieter Onderwater, transport consultant

This African city thought cable cars could fix its traffic gridlock. It was wrong

No source provides a definitive timeline for a decision, and the transitional government has not issued an official statement. The future operational status of the cable cars remains uncertain.

This African city thought cable cars could fix its traffic gridlock. It was wrong

The French consortium’s March 2025 inspection report has been delivered to Malagasy authorities, but no public plan has been announced regarding repair, repurposing, or decommissioning of the infrastructure.

This African city thought cable cars could fix its traffic gridlock. It was wrong