Africa
Madagascar
ACM — Aviation Civile de Madagascar
Madagascar requires drone registration through ACM (Aviation Civile de Madagascar). Since 8 February 2025 the new RAM 10000 Regulation (Decision n°061 DGE/DRG/DRS/UAS of 8 February 2024) is in force.
Mandatory under Aeronautical Regulation RAM 10000 (Decision n°061 DGE/DRG/DRS/UAS of 8 February 2024, in force since 8 February 2025) for any drone with a range over 100 m and takeoff mass over 900 g. Toy drones under these thresholds are exempt. Registration form available on the ACM website.
No details on a separate pilot certificate appear on the official page consulted.
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Drones up to 4 kg: minimum distance of 30 m from people, vehicles and buildings. Drones over 4 kg: maximum altitude 50 m and no flying over populated areas (detail reported by converging secondary sources, not confirmed on the primary RAM 10000 document).
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
The new RAM 10000 Regulation (in force since 8/2/2025) is confirmed by multiple independent Malagasy news sources citing the same decision number, but the RAM 10000 text itself could not be directly downloaded/read on the ACM site in this session: maximum altitude and distances remain to be confirmed on a primary source.
Last checked: 2026-09
Go deeper
Why registration exists
Operator registration exists for accountability: if a drone causes an incident or enters a restricted zone, the authority needs to be able to trace it back to whoever was flying it. You usually get an identification number (operator ID) to physically attach to the drone, valid for every drone the same person owns. The cost is often minimal or free, and it applies to visiting tourists too, not just residents. For Madagascar, the official reference remains ACM — Aviation Civile de Madagascar. Mandatory under Aeronautical Regulation RAM 10000 (Decision n°061 DGE/DRG/DRS/UAS of 8 February 2024, in force since 8 February 2025) for any drone with a range over 100 m and takeoff mass over 900 g. Toy drones under these thresholds are exempt. Registration form available on the ACM website.
How this usually works
Even where an exam isn't formally required, most aviation authorities still recommend a basic safety course: rules change often, and flying without the basics is a real risk even without a legal obligation. The exam and certificate are handled by ACM — Aviation Civile de Madagascar. No details on a separate pilot certificate appear on the official page consulted.
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.