Madagascar: PRIVATE SECTOR – Francis Rabarijohn at the helm of the GEM

Change at the helm of the Groupement des Entreprises de Madagascar. Francis Rabarijohn was elected president after a vote, receiving fifty-nine votes compared to twenty-four for Thierry Rajaona, the outgoing president.

After a four-year term, Thierry Rajaona is stepping down as head of the Groupement des Entreprises de Madagascar. The election of a new president, which took place yesterday, saw the victory of Francis Christian Rabarijohn, Regional General Manager for Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean of the Imperial Brands group, with fifty-nine votes compared to twenty-four for his predecessor.

With thirty years of experience in Madagascar and internationally in the private sector, Francis Rabarijohn is a man of great experience who takes the reins of the GEM. “It is a personal commitment to the private sector and in favor of sustainable socio-economic development,” he said after the vote.

The new president knows the field well. Before becoming president, he was vice-president of the Syndicat des industries de Madagascar until 2019, then advisor to the GEM board since 2020. He has also worked for the Chiva Group in France, for the Fraise/Star Group, for the Bolloré Group, and has held a position at the Imperial Brands Group since 2014.

Francis Rabarijohn intends to use his rich background to benefit the private sector in general, and companies in particular. “To make the most of my skills, my experience within the GEM and various employers’ associations, as well as my experience with international organizations similar to the GEM, to infuse new energy and create a new dynamic,” this is the objective set by the new president to make the GEM a strong, credible, and influential organization, a trusted partner fully committed to the sustainable development of the private sector and eager to maintain its status as an economic lever for the nation.

Open dialogue

With a clear vision and specific objectives, such as “infusing a new dynamic within the GEM, strengthening its role as a unifier among companies, and contributing to improving the business climate,” the founder of the Ny Antsika Academy in Antsirabe summarized his approach in football terms: “Let’s play as a team to succeed together, within the GEM and with its partners.”

The state, as a key partner of the GEM, is at the center of Francis Rabarijohn’s concerns, who aims to make the group a trusted ally for the government and Technical and Financial Partners, by establishing an open, concerted, and inclusive dialogue. These intentions are welcomed by the Minister of Industrialization and Trade, Edgard Razafindravahy, who applauds Francis Rabarijohn’s election and envisions continuity in the excellent relationship between the MIT and the private sector, consolidated by the Industrial Programming Pact established in 2023 with reciprocal commitments. Such closeness had never been achieved before in the country’s history.

A new investment law has also been developed with the active contribution of the private sector, efforts that must be maintained in the long term to produce tangible results.

The new president of the GEM, driven by great ambition and strong motivation, is committed to making the GEM a key player in the development of the private sector, and thus a driver of the country’s economic growth. Now, he must fulfill promises with concrete actions.

l’Express de Madagascar