Rivo Andriamanalina: Pioneering Madagascar’s bioeconomy

Excerpts from the interview with Rivo Andriamanalina, Co-founder & CEO of Arbiochem Madagascar.

Can you introduce Arbiochem and its mission in Madagascar’s bioeconomy?

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Arbiochem was founded in 2010 by my wife and me. Our purpose is to nourish and care for the future by creating sustainable nutrition and healthcare solutions for Madagascar and Africa. Today, Arbiochem comprises 13 companies and employs more than 1,000 people. We are actively building an integrated ecosystem that promotes both human development and environmental sustainability, positioning Madagascar as a key player in Africa’s emerging bioeconomy.

What inspired the creation of a company focused on agro-industry and sustainable innovation in Madagascar?

Our core business is health and nutrition. We feed and care: for animals, for people, and for crops. With Madagascar’s population increasing by nearly one million people each year, and expected to reach 40 million by 2035, the need is urgent. We must ensure that food and healthcare remain accessible, affordable, and sustainable, safeguarding people’s well-being and the environment for generations to come.

What kinds of products or bio-sourced technologies is the Arbiochem Group currently developing or commercialising?

Arbiochem Group operates across three integrated sectors, poultry, tilapia, and pork, managing every stage from hatchery to finished products. We supply day-old chicks, tilapia fry, equipment, feed, and veterinary products, operate slaughterhouses, and handle distribution. We also support small-scale farmers in animal production and aquaculture, while developing plant-based solutions to ensure a sustainable and diversified food supply.

How does Arbiochem leverage Madagascar’s rich biodiversity and natural resources in its value chain?

Our model is founded on respect for the environment and the efficient use of resources. In Madagascar, land and water are precious. By practising sustainable intensification, we produce more protein using fewer resources, thereby reducing our impact on nature. We avoid antibiotics and prioritise high-quality nutrition, which ultimately strengthens public health.

Are you open to partnerships with investors or institutions from the UAE and the Gulf region?

We are open to partnerships, but they must be fair and balanced, built on shared values and a long-term vision. Our ambition is to grow rapidly and become a credible strategic partner for multinational corporations entering Madagascar. We are looking for partners who can walk alongside us, not only with capital, but with a genuine vision for impact.

What final message would you like to share with international readers about Arbiochem’s vision and Madagascar’s potential as a green innovation hub?

Madagascar’s greatest asset is its people, young, ambitious, educated, and ready to build. Our land is fertile, our institutions are eager to collaborate, and our private sector is vibrant and resilient. We operate to global standards, and we see Madagascar as a launchpad for regional innovation. Our country is also strategically positioned in the Indian Ocean, just a few hours from the Gulf states, with favourable time zones and shipping routes. With the right leadership and partnerships, we can follow a transformation path as remarkable as the Gulf’s own success story.