France, April 23 -- French President Emmanuel Macron heads to Madagascar on Wednesday, where power cuts, stalled dam projects and a troubled state energy firm are set to dominate the first visit by a French head of state in nearly 20 years.

The island is hosting the fifth summit of the Indian Ocean Commission, but energy reform is expected to be high on the agenda during Macron's five-day tour of the region.

Only around a third of Madagascar's 30 million people have access to electricity, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Power cuts often last more than eight hours a day. There is not enough electricity to supply water through public fountains in cities,reports RFI's correspondent Sarah Tetaud.

Poor governance of the state...