The Roots of Matana: An Internship in Sambava

It all started with my final-year internship in business administration in Sambava, the vanilla capital of the world, at a company exporting Madagascar vanilla. I got to see the vanilla journey from the farm to the final product, gaining invaluable hands-on experience. But it was also an eye-opener: the farmers lived in poverty, even though their crops could bring in nearly €100,000 a year.

This realization sparked my desire to act and create a positive impact for Malagasy producers.

A Passion for Natural Products

In 2018, my interest in natural products and their health benefits led me to explore Madagascar’s incredible wealth of plants and spices—ingredients already sought after by top food and cosmetic brands.

This discovery was a turning point: Madagascar is home to unique, authentic ingredients that deserved to be valued and shared with the world.

The Launch of Matana: A Bold Leap

In 2020, I decided to create Matana, a venture blending passion, fairness, and Malagasy craftsmanship. The journey has not been easy—full of hurdles and unexpected turns—but each challenge strengthened my conviction to make it succeed.