Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina’s path to power is unlike that of most world leaders.
He was born on May 30, 1974, in Antsirabe, Madagascar. He is the son of a soldier and military instructor, Yves Roger Rajoelina, and his wife, Olga Rakotomalala Rasoanjanahary.
As a teenager, Rajoelina found his passion not in politics but in entertainment. He became a disc jockey in the nightclubs of Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital, quickly earning popularity among the youth.
His energetic personality and fast-paced lifestyle earned him the nickname “DJ TGV”, after France’s high-speed train.
Andry Rajoelina’s Early Life
Andry completed his High School Education in Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital, and chose to forgo university, opting instead to venture into entrepreneurship.
By the age of 19, Rajoelina had already begun to show his entrepreneurial skills. He founded Show Business, an events company, and later in 1999, he established Injet, a digital printing firm.
In 2000, Rajoelina married Mialy Razakandisa.
That same year, he took over his wife’s family’s advertising company, and in 2007, he acquired Radio Television Ravinala, which he rebranded as Viva Radio and Viva TV.
The media platforms gave him influence—and a springboard into politics.
Also Read: Meet Cyril Ramaphosa: South African Leader Who Faced Trump in the Oval
Political Career
In 2000, Rajoelina launched his political career, running for mayor of Antananarivo under the banner of his party, Tanora malaGasy Vonona (TGV; Young Malagasies Determined).
He won with a decisive 63% of the vote. As mayor, he clashed with then-President Marc Ravalomanana, particularly after the government shut down his TV station for broadcasting an interview with former president Didier Ratsiraka.
In early 2009, Rajoelina emerged as a leading opposition figure, rallying demonstrators against what he described as Ravalomanana’s dictatorship and misuse of public funds.
Also Read: Profile of Salva Kiir, South Sudan’s First President and His Rise to Power
Backed by sections of the military, he seized power in a coup d’état, becoming head of the High Transitional Authority. The then-president, Ravalomanana, resigned and handed authority to the military.
However, within hours, the military leaders transferred power to Rajoelina, who was installed as head of the newly formed High Transitional Authority.
At just 34 years old, he was one of the world’s youngest leaders.
Rajoelina ruled until 2014, when a new constitution barred him from running in that year’s elections.
In the 2018 presidential election, he staged a comeback, defeating rivals in a two-round vote and assuming office in January 2019. He was re-elected in 2023 with nearly 59% of the vote.
In 2025, he took over as Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a role that elevated his profile across the continent.
That same year, he was named African Political Leader of the Year by African Leadership Magazine.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
