History of Africa · The History of Africa Podcast

Season 4 Episode 28: The Malagasy Gold Rush

·17 min·1 clip

The French consul called Rainy Laerifuni a genius, revealing a surprising respect during Madagascar's struggle for sovereignty.

This episode explores Madagascar's economic crisis in the 1880s, as Prime Minister Rainy Laerifuni attempts to save the country by reopening secret gold mines. It details the risks of using corvée labor, the resulting rebellions, and widespread gold theft, all while facing ongoing French colonial threats.

As heard by us

Madagascar's gold fields test whether foreign capital can steady a government close to collapse.

Madagascar's gold fields become the pressure point in a wider political gamble. Prime minister Reni Laerifouni brings a tightly controlled resource into public view, hoping foreign capital can steady a government close to collapse.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Five gold fields, one serious investor, and a government reopening mines while the ground under it keeps shifting.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from History of Africa