Benja Razafimahaleo is a Malagasy politician who served as Minister of Finance in the government of Madagascar[1] from March 2009 to September 2009.
Razafimahaleo is the brother of Herizo Razafimahaleo, who was President of the LEADER-Fanilo political party and a major political figure from the 1990s until his death in 2008. Benja was Director-General of Sacimem for a time.[2] Following Herizo's death, LEADER-Fanilo's national council chose Manassé Esoavelomandroso as the party's National President in early September 2008, while Benja Razafimahaleo was chosen as one of four vice-presidents.[3]
Razafimahaleo was appointed as Minister of Finance and the Budget in the rival government of opposition leader Andry Rajoelina on 10 February 2009.[2] As the political crisis involving Rajoelina and President Marc Ravalomanana escalated, Rajoelina's supporters installed Razafimahaleo in the Finance Ministry with the help of the military on 12 March 2009.[4] [5] Rajoelina took over the Presidency with the military's assistance a few days later.[6]
Razafimahaleo was dismissed from the government on 8 September 2009.[7]