Introduction
Emerging markets like Madagascar offer vast untapped real estate opportunities – but accessing them as a foreign investor can be daunting. One company aiming to change that is Madagascar Invest (MI), an investment consulting firm founded by Thomas Ottosen Jr. and dedicated to making investing in Madagascar accessible and profitable for foreign investors. By leveraging technology and local expertise, Madagascar Invest provides end-to-end support – from identifying Madagascar real estate deals to facilitating company formation in Madagascar and residency services – effectively acting as a one-stop gateway to this frontier market. Recently, Madagascar Invest announced a partnership with real estate developer Nobilis Group on the ambitious “New Tamatave” coastal development, underscoring the growing momentum in Madagascar’s property sector.
In this interview, TechBullion speaks with Thomas Ottosen Jr., CEO of Madagascar Invest, about the origin of his platform, the challenges foreign investors face in Madagascar, how digital tools and structured services are bridging the gap, the collaboration with Nobilis Group on New Tamatave, the impact on local communities, and future opportunities in this emerging market.
Q: Thomas, tell us about the origin of Madagascar Invest. What inspired you to start this venture, and what is its core mission?
A: Thomas Ottosen: Madagascar wasn’t the most obvious place for global investors when I first arrived. In the mid-2010s, I saw so much potential here – rich natural resources, a young population – but also many barriers keeping investors away. I came from a development background and realized that to truly help Madagascar grow, we needed to encourage “trade, not aid,” by bringing in business and investment. That’s why I founded Madagascar Invest. Our mission from day one has been to demystify this complex market for outsiders and build bridges of trust and transparency in the process. We set out to make investing in Madagascar safe, seamless, and profitable for international clients. In practical terms, that means guiding investors through every step – whether it’s registering a business, finding a property, or understanding local regulations – so they can participate in Madagascar’s growth story confidently.
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges or misconceptions that foreign investors face when looking at Madagascar’s real estate market, and how does Madagascar Invest help overcome them?
A: Great question. Investing in an emerging market like Madagascar does come with challenges. For instance, the real estate sector here has been quite underdeveloped and informal, which means a newcomer might encounter unclear property laws, bureaucratic hurdles, or even scams if they go it alone. Many foreign investors worry about land ownership rules (since property is typically held on 99-year leaseholds for foreigners), as well as navigating permits and local customs. There are also language barriers and cultural differences – not to mention a history of political and economic volatility that can make outsiders cautious.
What we do at Madagascar Invest is absorb that friction for the investor. We’ve built a trusted local team that handles the tough parts – due diligence on properties, verifying titles, streamlining paperwork, and ensuring compliance. For example, we know the paperwork can be complicated and processes confusing, so we guide clients step by step through everything. If a client needs to form a local entity to purchase land or wants to secure the right land lease, we take care of it through our legal counsel and network. Essentially, we mitigate the risks so that the rewards outweigh the hurdles. By providing transparency and on-the-ground expertise, we help foreign investors overcome misconceptions and see Madagascar for what it truly is: a market full of quiet potential waiting to be unlocked.
Q: Technology is playing a big role in opening up new markets. How is Madagascar Invest leveraging digital tools or a structured service platform to simplify the investment process for international clients?
A: Technology has been a game-changer for us. From the start, we embraced a digital-first approach to connect with investors worldwide. For instance, on our website we maintain an up-to-date portal of curated Madagascar real estate opportunities, complete with photos, pricing, and analysis. An investor sitting in London or Mumbai can browse vetted property listings on our site and get a transparent view of what’s available – whether it’s a beachfront villa or a commercial plot. We also use digital communication tools (secure messaging, video calls, virtual tours) to bridge the distance; clients can consult with our team remotely and even tour properties virtually.
Crucially, our services are structured as an end-to-end online facilitation platform. If you decide to invest, we handle all the heavy lifting through a streamlined process. For example, when it comes to setting up a business entity in Madagascar, our platform allows you to initiate the entire process online – from filling out forms to making secure payments – and we’ll register your company in as fast as 10 days. We offer packages that bundle everything an investor might need: company formation in Madagascar, opening a local bank account, appointing a local director, obtaining tax IDs, and even residency-by-investment paperwork. By offering these “done-for-you” services in one place, powered by a mix of technology and local know-how, we make the entry process incredibly efficient. Clients have told us it feels like having a concierge – they can focus on their investment goals while we handle the bureaucracy behind the scenes. In short, tech enables us to give investors a smooth, transparent and fast-track experience in a market that otherwise could be very complex to navigate.
Q: Madagascar Invest recently announced a strategic partnership with Nobilis Group on the New Tamatave real estate project. Can you tell us about this collaboration and why it’s significant?
A: Absolutely. We’re very excited about this. Nobilis Group (a renowned luxury real estate developer) and Madagascar Invest have come together to accelerate real estate development in the Tamatave region, which is on the east coast. Tamatave – also known as Toamasina – is Madagascar’s second-largest city and home to its only deep-water port, so it’s a crucial economic hub. The partnership centers on the ambitious New Tamatave coastal development initiative – essentially creating a modern beachfront urban district along a six-kilometer stretch of pristine coastline. We formalized the partnership with an MOU in August 2025, which I signed alongside Marcin Ługowski, the CEO of Nobilis Group.
What this means in practice is that we’re combining Madagascar Invest’s international investor network and local market expertise with Nobilis Group’s development experience to unlock new opportunities in the New Tamatave project. Nobilis is already spearheading flagship projects there – for example, we visited the Lechia Estate, a premier oceanfront residential community they’re building, which is just stunning in its modern, sustainable design. By joining forces, we (Madagascar Invest) will help promote these projects to our global investors, facilitate foreign direct investment into them, and ensure the process is transparent and seamless for overseas buyers. On the other side, Nobilis contributes their on-the-ground development know-how and a pipeline of quality projects.
The significance of this collaboration is huge: Tamatave is poised to become a new engine of growth for Madagascar, given its strategic location and booming port. Through this partnership, we aim to fast-track the development of New Tamatave – bringing in world-class real estate projects (like gated communities, luxury villas, possibly commercial centers) and making them accessible to international investors. It’s also a signal to the world that Madagascar’s real estate sector is maturing and ready for larger-scale investments. Ultimately, we’re creating a bridge between global capital and a high-potential local project. This is exactly the kind of synergy we want – where our investors get exclusive access to exciting developments, and Madagascar gets an influx of quality projects and funding.
Q: How do investments like the New Tamatave project benefit local communities in Madagascar? And how important is sustainability in these developments?
A: This is a critical point. As much as we focus on investor returns, we are equally focused on local impact. In the case of New Tamatave (and any project we take on), the development is geared to uplift the community. For example, a large project brings in jobs for local people – from construction work in the short term to roles in maintenance, hospitality, and services once the estates are up and running. It also means improved infrastructure: new roads, better utilities, perhaps new schools or clinics as the community grows. In Tamatave, housing is in demand, so these projects will expand housing availability for locals, not only for expats or foreigners. We are very conscious of inclusive growth; a successful project should raise the standard of living in the region, not just be an enclave.
Sustainability is another cornerstone of our approach. Madagascar’s environment is unique – it’s a treasure that must be protected. Nobilis Group shares this ethos: their designs in New Tamatave incorporate eco-friendly building practices and green spaces, ensuring we preserve the island’s natural beauty and culture even as we develop. For instance, Lechia Estate has solar energy features and a landscaped seaside park, blending development with nature. We’ve also made it a point in the partnership that projects are executed responsibly – that means respecting local communities (no displacements without fair solutions) and using sustainable materials. Both Madagascar Invest and Nobilis have committed to ethical, socially responsible development practices.
At the end of the day, we don’t want to just build buildings; we want to build communities and futures. I often say to my team and partners: if an investment doesn’t benefit the local people and the environment in the long run, it’s not a success in our book. The positive feedback from community leaders in Tamatave so far has been very encouraging – they see these ventures as bringing needed facilities and opportunities to the area. That, to me, is as rewarding as the financial returns.
Q: Looking ahead, what future opportunities do you see for foreign investors in Madagascar, especially in real estate? How is Madagascar Invest positioning for the future?
A: I truly believe Madagascar is at a breakout moment. In real estate, beyond the New Tamatave project, there are numerous opportunities. The tourism and hospitality sector is a big one – Madagascar is a gorgeous, under-discovered destination, so we anticipate more resorts, eco-lodges, and hotels will need development (the country’s tourist potential hasn’t even reached a fraction of what it could be). There’s also growing demand for quality housing and commercial spaces in the capital, Antananarivo, and other cities as the economy grows. We’re likely to see projects in everything from affordable housing to industrial parks. Our real estate market is still undersupplied, which means investors can get in early and shape the market. In fact, property prices here remain profoundly low compared to other countries, with significant upside as the economy expands.
Beyond real estate, Madagascar has vast untapped sectors foreign investors can look at. Agriculture and agribusiness is huge – we have fertile lands and unique crops (spices, vanilla, etc.) that could be scaled with the right investment. Renewable energy is another area; there’s a need for solar and wind solutions to improve energy access. We’re also seeing interest in infrastructure projects, mining, and digital services. The key is that Madagascar is a classic frontier market – many basic goods or services that are commonplace elsewhere are still needed here. That means investors who bring capital and innovation can fill critical gaps and potentially reap significant returns.
At Madagascar Invest, we’re positioning ourselves to facilitate all these kinds of investments, not just real estate. Our vision is to remain the trusted bridge for international investors – whether someone wants to build a solar farm, open a factory, or develop a new residential estate, we have the platform and local team to make it happen smoothly. We’re continuously expanding our network (both locally and internationally), adopting new tech tools, and forging partnerships (like the one with Nobilis Group) so that we stay at the forefront of opportunities. The government here is also gradually improving the business climate – simplifying processes, offering tax incentives – which complements our efforts.
In summary, I see Madagascar’s next decade as one of tremendous opportunity. For investors willing to venture into a new market, the country offers the chance to be a pioneer – to shape industries from the ground up. And Madagascar Invest will be right there alongside, guiding investors and ensuring these ventures are done right. We’re very optimistic about the future – as I often tell partners, this isn’t just the next big thing, it could be the big thing if we have the right mindset. We invite investors from around the world to join us in writing Madagascar’s next chapter of growth and success.
Conclusion
From Thomas Ottosen’s perspective, bridging international investors with Madagascar’s emerging real estate market is as much about knowledge and trust as it is about capital. Platforms like Madagascar Invest show how technology-enabled services and local expertise can open frontier markets, turning challenges into opportunities. The collaboration with Nobilis Group on the New Tamatave project exemplifies this approach – attracting global investment to build sustainable communities that benefit everyone involved. As Madagascar’s economy picks up pace and its real estate sector gains global attention, foreign investors have a unique chance to participate in shaping a new success story. With facilitators like Madagascar Invest serving as a reliable gateway, the path into these once hard-to-access markets is becoming not only navigable, but truly rewarding for both investors and the local communities they touch.
