Andry Rajoelina said the vaccine trials will start next week.

He also urged the Malagasy people to plant artemisia.

President Rajoelina said he was in touch with scientists from the US to help with research.

The ingredient is in the Madagascan drink Covid-Organics - the president said he is pursuing validation from the World Heath Organization (WHO) for the drink.

The WHO said in a statement sent to the BBC that it did not recommend "self-medication with any medicines... as a prevention or cure for Covid-19".

The Covid-Organics drink has been delivered to other African countries including Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea and Tanzanian President John Magufuli said he will send a plane to Madagascar to collect a batch of the drink.