•The development of formal social protection mechanisms in African countries is critical.•Four reciprocity categories are identified within support relationships: symmetrical reciprocity, no reciprocity, and two asymmetrical reciprocities.•Reciprocity norms are closely associated with household living conditions.•Findings reveal a strong correlation between food-safety shocks and asymmetrical reciprocity.•Findings reveal the need to develop analyses and policies that take into account the diversity of social protection mechanisms (formal and informal). The development of formal social protection in African countries is critical. The Covid-19 crisis has largely increased this need. Informal social protection mechanisms remain central to households' management of shocks. This article investigates the relationship between reciprocity norms and dependency in contexts of extreme poverty. Using egocentric networks, the study conducts an original analysis of reciprocity norms based on 2868 social relationships across three regions in southern Madagascar. Four reciprocity categories are identified within support relationships: symmetrical reciprocity, no reciprocity, and two asymmetrical reciprocities. Using a mixed method approach, the findings reveal that reciprocity norms are closely associated with household living conditions, with individuals in poverty more likely to be integrated into relationships characterized by asymmetrical reciprocity. Moreover, the article identifies a strong correlation between food-safety shocks and asymmetrical reciprocity. Lastly, the results highlights the significant role of local organizations in formation of symmetrical support relationships. These findings underline the need to develop analyses and policies that take into account the diversity of social protection mechanisms (formal and informal).