Information for delegations
Point of Entry
Delegates shall arrive and depart through Ivato International Airport.
Delegates entering through other points of entry are kindly requested to communicate their travel itineraries in advance to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar (protocole-sadc@diplomatie.gov.mg). This will enable the necessary logistical arrangements to be made.
Arrival and departure procedures for Heads of State and Government
Heads of State and Government will be accorded all the protocol courtesies associated with their
rank upon both arrival and departure.
The official welcome ceremony at Ivato International Airport will follow a streamlined format.
They will be received on the tarmac by senior authorities of the Government of the Republic of Madagascar, in line with standard protocol procedures, and escorted to the VIP lounge.
Official vehicles will then transfer them to their designated hotels.
For departures by presidential private aircraft, the motorcade will proceed directly to the Presidential
Lounge at Ivato International Airport, where all formalities will be completed on-site.
For departures by commercial flights, the motorcade will also proceed to the Presidential Lounge,
where both departure and security formalities will be handled.
Protocol officers, in collaboration with delegation representatives, will oversee the check-in of
delegation members and the handling of checked luggage.
Arrival and departure procedures for other delegates
Other members of delegations, as well as media representatives, will be welcomed by protocol officers and will follow the standard arrival procedures.
Welcome desks, located beyond the disembarkation area, will be available to provide information
and assistance.
Transportation of delegates between Ivato International Airport and designated accommodations will be provided by shuttle buses.
This service will also be available for departure transfers.
Delegates will follow the standard departure procedures. Protocol officers will be present to provide
any necessary support or information.
Travellers on commercial flights must comply with flight schedules, and with all current travel requirements and standards.
This includes airline baggage regulations concerning checked and carry-on luggage, particularly
regarding weight, size, and quantity limits. Any unforeseen issue or inconvenience—such as excess
baggage fees—shall remain the sole responsibility of the concerned delegate and will remain at their expense.
Luggage formalities
Each delegation is kindly requested to affix the special identification tag to all luggage, including that of the Head of Delegation when travelling on a commercial flight.
Each delegation is kindly requested to print this tag and affix it visibly to each suitcase to facilitate identification on arrival and departure.
Each delegation must designate a Luggage Officer, who will be assisted on site by local Protocol staff.
All airport formalities will be managed by the Malagasy Protocol assigned for this purpose. Please
note that any excess baggage fees are the responsibility of the individual delegate and not the host country.
Visa requirements
All delegates and participants must hold valid travel documents, with a minimum validity of six months beyond the date of entry and departure from Malagasy territory.
All Summit participants will be assisted at the airport with visa processing, where applicable.
Where possible, delegates and participants – particularly holders of ordinary passports are
encouraged to obtain their visas in advance from Madagascar’s accredited embassies in their
respective countries.
Entry visas will be issued free of charge during the Summit to holders of diplomatic and service
passports.
Delegates seeking to obtain a visa upon arrival at Ivato International Airport will be required to present an official letter confirming their participation in the Summit.
Visas on arrival will be granted only in exceptional cases. A prior written request must be submitted
to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar at protocole-sadc@diplomatie.gov.mg. This request must include full details of the delegation members as stated in their passports.
Health Requirements
All delegates must hold valid health insurance covering the entire duration of their stay, including
emergency medical expenses and, where necessary, medical evacuation.
Upon arrival, delegates will undergo a health screening, focusing on the following points:
- Recommended vaccinations (as a preventive measure): Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B
- Mandatory vaccinations: Yellow fever and cholera – required only if the delegate has recently travelled to
a country classified as a risk zone by the World Health Organisation (WHO). - Declaration of recent
medical history:
Any infectious disease contracted within the past six (6) months, including malaria, must be reported to medical personnel immediately upon arrival.
Delegates will be required to duly complete the health form provided upon arrival at the airport.
These measures are intended to ensure a safe and healthy environment, in line with international standards, and to prevent any potential risk, in a spirit of shared responsibility.
Customs Regulations
All delegations are strongly encouraged to consult in advance the detailed information regarding
customs regulations in force in Madagascar, available on the official website of the General Directorate of Customs : www.douanes.gov.mg.
Certain goods are subject to mandatory declaration and require prior authorisation before being brought into or taken out of Malagasy territory.
The import and export of animal or plant species, minerals, and specific materials that may be transformed into handicrafts are strictly regulated.
For certain categories of such items, import and export are strictly prohibited. Failure to comply with
these prohibitions may result in criminal sanctions. It is therefore strongly recommended that each
delegation inquire precisely about the list of authorised goods and the relevant customs procedures
in force.
Furthermore, in Madagascar, goods and services are subject to a 20% Value Added Tax (VAT), which is generally included in displayed prices.
