Outsourcing web development to Madagascar: the guide
Outsourcing web development to Madagascar: language, time zone, conditions for success, risks and possible arrangements for companies in Europe and Africa.
Outsourcing web development to Madagascar appeals to a growing number of French-speaking companies, in Europe and in Africa alike: the same working language, a close time zone, teams trained in current technologies. But successful outsourcing depends on organisation more than on destination. Here is what to know before you start.
Why Madagascar?
French as a working language
French is one of Madagascar's official languages. Conversations, specifications and documentation need no translation, which removes the first source of misunderstanding in an outsourced project.
A time zone close to Europe and Africa
Madagascar is on UTC+3, with no clock change: one hour ahead of Paris in summer, two in winter. The working day overlaps almost entirely with Europe's, and the gap remains small with most African countries. Meetings are held at normal hours, with no early starts or late calls.
Close to African markets
For a company addressing African customers, working with a team based on the continent is an asset: it knows how mobile, payment and connectivity are really used, which is hard to gauge from Europe.
What can be outsourced
- website design and redesign;
- business applications: internal tools, client portals, back offices;
- SaaS platforms and their upgrades;
- mobile apps;
- maintenance of existing sites and applications.
Well-defined projects, with a written scope, are the ones that go best.
Three conditions for successful outsourcing
1. A single point of contact
You should not have to coordinate several developers yourself. A project manager receives your requests, translates them for the team and reports back to you.
2. Approved stages
The project moves forward in short deliveries that you test and approve. You see the result every one to two weeks, instead of discovering it at the end.
3. A clear contract
The contract must state who owns the code and the data, who holds the logins, and how a possible end of the collaboration is handled. Insist that the code is stored in a space that belongs to you.
The risks, and how to reduce them
- A poorly described need: the first cause of failure, whatever the destination. A written scope before starting avoids it.
- An unstable connection: ask how the team ensures continuity (backup lines, power supply).
- Dependence on one person: check that several developers know your project.
- Personal data: if your users are in Europe, the GDPR applies. Ask where the data is hosted and who has access to it.
Local agency, freelancer, or an agency with a team on site?
Three arrangements exist:
| Arrangement | Advantage | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Freelancer in Madagascar | Low rate, direct contact | One skill, no replacement |
| Malagasy agency, directly | Complete team | You manage the relationship and the contract alone |
| Agency with a team in Madagascar | A contact close to you, a team on site | One more intermediary |
The third suits those who want the benefits of outsourcing without carrying its organisation.
In practice
Before comparing providers, write down what you want built and what you consider finished: that document is worth more than any rate card. Our website brief template can serve as a starting point.
This is the model we work with: KPS Agency, based in Paris, works with its own agency in Madagascar, Akoraweb. You keep a single point of contact, and our clients in Africa are served by a team close to them. Book a call to talk it through, or ask for a free quote, received within 48 hours. Discover our web agency in Madagascar page, and our custom business software and SaaS development services.
To go further: Web agency in Madagascar