Andry Nirina Rajoelina: From DJ to President of Madagascar.
Andry Nirina Rajoelina was born on 30 May 1974, in Antsirabe, Madagascar. He comes from a family of five children; his father, Yves Roger Rajoelina, was a soldier and military instructor, and his mother is Olga Rakotomalala Rasoanjanahary.
Early in life, Rajoelina showed entrepreneurial flair and an interest in entertainment. As a teenager and young adult he worked as a DJ and event organizer—a path that earned him public recognition and his reputation in Madagascar’s youth culture. He founded an event production company called Show Business, and later branched into business ventures including printing, advertising, and media: for example founding Injet (a digital printing firm) in 1999, acquiring and expanding a billboard advertising company, and buying media outlets such as radio and television stations which he rebranded (e.g., Viva Radio, Viva TV).
His formal entry into politics came when he ran for and won the office of Mayor of Antananarivo (the capital) in 2007, leading under his party Young Malagasies Determined (“Tanora malaGasy Vonona”, abbreviated TGV). The party acronym TGV also became his nickname, referencing speed and dynamism.
In early 2009, amid widespread discontent with then-President Marc Ravalomanana, Rajoelina mobilized opposition and protests. With backing from sections of the military, he led a political movement that culminated in Ravalomanana’s removal. Rajoelina became Head of the High Transitional Authority (i.e. provisional leader) after what many referred to as a coup d’état. He was about 34 at the time. During the transitional period, Rajoelina governed until 2014.
After leaving the transitional presidency (due to term limits imposed by the then-new constitution), he remained active politically and returned to run for president in 2018. He won that election and was sworn in on 19 January 2019.
In November 2023, Rajoelina was re-elected for another term, winning approximately 58.96% of the vote in the first round. He was officially inaugurated on 16 December 2023.
Throughout his political life, Rajoelina has been a controversial figure. Supporters emphasize his ambitions for modernization, infrastructure development, media-savvy style, and appeal to younger Malagasy. Critics point to questions about legitimacy during his first accession to power, concerns about democracy, challenges with corruption allegations, criticisms over some of his policies (including his promotion of herbal remedies during COVID-19), and recurring protests from citizens dissatisfied with service delivery (water, electricity, etc.).
