The Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM) held a training session on finance and monetary policy in April for church leaders across Madagascar amid national discussions on possible currency reform.
The session brought together members of the FJKM Board and Executive Committee, executive secretaries from various departments and branches, presidents of the church’s 38 regional synods, and ministers from the capital recognised as influential community leaders.
Senior officials from the Central Bank of Madagascar (BFM) led the training following a public consultation that raised the possibility of reducing the country’s highest-value banknote from 20,000 ariary to 1,000 ariary.
At present, the 20,000 ariary note accounts for nearly 70% of daily transactions in Madagascar. The proposed reform seeks to restructure the currency system and respond to the declining purchasing power of the population.
The proposal sparked public debate across the country, prompting the BFM to clarify that the reform remains at a preliminary stage and would require further public consultation before any decision is made.
During the training, FJKM President, Rev. Dr Zaka Andriamampianina encouraged church leaders to approach financial matters with wisdom and discernment.
Referring to 1 Corinthians 14:20, Andriamampianina urged leaders “to be mature in understanding” and avoid unnecessary disputes over trivial matters. He also cited Proverbs 19:2, emphasising that “it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge.”
Andriamampianina called for the application of Protestant principles to financial management through the acronym HWRT — honesty, work and savings, responsibility, and transparency.
He reminded these principles provide an ethical foundation for sound financial stewardship and affirmed that FJKM remains committed to promoting them in church and society.
