The new ambassador to the United States from the island nation of Madagascar is no stranger to the U.S. Eric Andriamihaja Robson was appointed on February 27, 2018, arrived in Washington, DC, by the middle of the month, and presented his credentials to President Donald Trump on March 28, 2018, in an Oval Office ceremony. According to a report issued by Andriamihaja Robson, in 2016, Chinese companies opened 154 businesses in Madagascar and U.S. companies just 12.

A native of Madagascar’s largest city and capital, Antananarivo, Robson is a graduate of the College of St. Michael Amparibe, an elite secondary school located in the Amparibe quarter of Antananarivo.

Robson journeyed to the U.S. for his postsecondary education. He earned a B.S. in Business Administration and Management in 1999, and an MBA with an emphasis on International Marketing in 2000, both at the University of South Carolina.

Robson joined the Economic Development Board of Madagascar (EDBM) in March 2007 as the representative of President Marc Ravalomanana. He later became the organization’s director of facilitation and business. He was promoted to deputy director general in 2009, and was named director general and CEO in May 2015. EDBM promotes investment in Madagascar.

Robson has been affiliated with the African Infrastructure Development Partnership, a Swiss-based organization offering alternative approaches to African development, since 2015.

Robson teaches Business Administration at the Ecole Supérieure Sacré Coeur Antanimena (ESCA), a private college in Antananarivo, the University of Antananarivo, and at other schools in the area. He speaks fluent English, French, and Malagasy.

-Matt Bewig

To Learn More:

LinkedIn Profile

AFIDEP Profile (African Infrastructure Development Partnership)

De la promotion des investissements à la diplomatie: Eric Robson Andriamihajamananirina nous représente aux Etats-Unis! (Madagascar Foreign Ministry)