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The Central African Republic (CAR) is a sparsely populated, landlocked country at the heart of the African continent, with a surface area of 623,000 km?. Despite being endowed with abundant natural resources (, with oil, gold, and diamonds as the primary resources), it remains one of the poorest and most fragile countries in the world. The country has experienced over two decades of recurrent crises, the most notable being the 2013 seizure of power by the S¨¦l¨¦ka coalition, and the most recent outbreak of violence instigated by the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) in December 2020.

CAR ranks among the lowest in the Human Capital Index and the Human Development Index, with a score of 0.26 in 2020, placing it in 2022. While the country holds significant agricultural potential and vast forested areas, the population has yet to benefit meaningfully from these endowments.

Political Context

, signed on February 6, 2019, with 14 armed groups, continues to serve as the main roadmap for pursuing long-term peace and stability, even though some CPC-affiliated groups withdrew from the agreement in December 2020.

The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), through the Luanda Roadmap, has contributed to some progress in disarmament, demobilization, reintegration, and reinsertion (DDRR) of CPC combatants. The dissolution of nine of the 14 signatory armed groups in 2023 is expected to support efforts toward peace and stability. Advancing the implementation of the Luanda Roadmap remains critical to furthering the DDRR process.

A new constitution was adopted in August 2023, and general elections are scheduled for 2025.

Economic Situation

The Central African economy is showing signs of recovery, with growth projected at 2.1% in 2025. However, this remains below the demographic growth rate (3.1%). Economic activity is expected to be supported by improved fuel supply by the end of 2024¡ªthanks to an exceptional diesel donation¡ªand the recovery of the telecommunications sector. Nonetheless, chronic electricity shortages, exacerbated by limited production capacity and a lack of private investment, are expected to continue hindering recovery, particularly in Bangui. The fiscal deficit is projected to widen to 4.9% of GDP in 2024, driven by non-priority spending, while public debt is expected to reach 60.7% of GDP. Poverty remains extremely high, affecting around 71% of the population, and may worsen following the planned withdrawal of USAID in early 2025. Macroeconomic stability remains fragile and dependent on the implementation of structural reforms and continued support from development partners.

Social Situation and Development Challenges

• In 2021, the most recent household survey available to assess poverty found that 65.7% of the population was living below the international extreme poverty line of USD 2.15 (2017 PPP) per person per day;
• The number of people living in extreme poverty is 1.5 times higher in rural areas than in urban areas;
• Non-monetary poverty is widespread in CAR, with more households affected by deprivations in sanitation (69.9%) and electricity (87.7%) than by monetary poverty.
• CAR remains the country with the highest humanitarian needs per capita. As of January 2025, there were 436,000 internally displaced persons and approximately 680,000 refugees and asylum seekers within the country;
• Maternal mortality is among the highest in the world (835 deaths per 100,000 live births), and the under-five mortality rate is the sixth highest globally (116 per 1,000 live births). Chronic malnutrition affects 38% of children under five. CAR also has one of the highest fertility rates in the world, with six births per woman. Average life expectancy is 53 years for both men and women;
• The country ranks among the lowest globally in education indicators. The expected years of schooling are 5.3 for boys and 3.8 for girls. CAR also has one of the world¡¯s largest gender gaps, ranking 188th out of 191 countries for gender equality. These disparities contribute to high rates of gender-based violence (GBV).

Last Updated: Apr 01, 2025

Å·ÃÀÈÕb´óƬ¡¯s current program in the Central African Republic is guided by the 2021¨C2025 Country Partnership Framework. It is aligned with the government¡¯s three strategic priorities: supporting peace, reconciliation, and security; restoring the social contract between the state and the population; and promoting economic recovery and job creation. Within this framework, the World Bank has financed programs in agriculture, water, electricity, education, statistics, infrastructure, natural resource management, social protection, and fiscal reform.

Last Updated: Apr 01, 2025

Energy

Å·ÃÀÈÕb´óƬ supported the construction of the 25 MWp Danzi solar photovoltaic power plant, equipped with 25 MWh of storage, financed under the Emergency Electricity Supply and Access Project (PURACEL; P164885). The project also enabled ENERCA to improve the electricity distribution network in Bangui and its surrounding areas.

Two mini solar photovoltaic power plants of approximately 1 MW each were completed in Bambari and Berberati under the Water and Electricity Modernization Project (PASEEL; P162245). As a result, the population now has access to daytime electricity on a regular basis.

 The Bank is currently supporting the Central African government through the Electricity Sector Strengthening and Access Project (PARSE; P176683), with a financing envelope of $113 million, approved in June 2022.

Road Infrastructure

The Emergency Infrastructure and Connectivity Recovery Project (PURIC) enabled the rehabilitation of 400 km of roads in the northwest. It also supported the completion of 480 km of road rehabilitation in the northeast and aims to rehabilitate up to 1,500 km in that region, reaching the Sudanese border at Am Dafock. Regarding external connectivity, PURIC contributed to the maintenance of 110 km of road along the Bangui¨CGaroua-Boulain corridor, the country¡¯s only viable land route to a seaport.

In addition, the ongoing Central Africa Corridors Trade and Connectivity Project (PRACAC) will improve river transport between Brazzaville and Bangui. The project will also finance the paving of 150 km of road between Bossembele and Bossangoa, 5 km of urban roads in each of these cities, and the rehabilitation of 300 km of secondary roads to improve access to Chad.

Agriculture

The Agricultural Recovery and Agribusiness Development Support Project (PRADAC) and the Emergency Food Crisis Response Project (PRUCAC) are currently under implementation. PRADAC aims to increase the agricultural productivity of smallholder farmers, promote micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in agribusiness within the project¡¯s target areas, and provide timely and effective responses to emergencies or potential crises. PRUCAC focuses on increasing food production and enhancing resilience in food-insecure areas, targeting smallholder farmers and vulnerable households.

Together, PRUCAC and PRADAC have reached 583,389 beneficiaries and 100,791 households, distributing approximately 4,271 tons of agricultural inputs, which significantly boosted local food production. The organization of households into farmer groups resulted in the structuring of 21,077 smallholder farmers into 795 legally recognized producer organizations. These organizations have received capacity-building support, particularly in post-harvest management.

Education

To improve learning conditions for students in CAR, two projects¡ªPUSEB and PAPSE II¡ªwere implemented with financing from the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education, amounting to approximately $25 million and $30.85 million, respectively.

PUSEB supported the construction of 1,023 classrooms, including 773 at the primary level (fondamental 1) and 250 at the lower secondary level (fondamental 2). The project benefited 73,758 students (including 36,044 girls) through remedial education programs, and 8,980 students (including 4,232 girls) through accelerated education programs. To enhance teaching quality, PUSEB also contributed to the training of pedagogical supervisors, school principals, and primary-level teachers.

PAPSE II supported the construction of 357 classrooms, distributed across preschool (17 classrooms), primary (312), and lower secondary (28). It reached 118,992 students (including 52,559 girls) through remedial education programs and 8,652 students (including 4,029 girls) through accelerated learning programs.

Health

SENI Project

Å·ÃÀÈÕb´óƬ allocated $53 million to strengthen the health system in the Central African Republic through the SENI project.

SENI-Plus

Launched in October 2022 with an initial budget of $94.8 million, the SENI-Plus project supports the government¡¯s efforts to achieve its objectives for delivering quality essential health services to the population. In line with the third-generation National Health Development Plan, and given the high maternal and child mortality rates in the country, the project continues to support the delivery of quality essential services through performance-based financing (PBF), combined with targeted free health care for pregnant and breastfeeding women, children under 5, and other vulnerable groups across 15 health districts covering more than 42% of the population.

In April 2024, the World Bank approved an additional $20 million in Å·ÃÀÈÕb´óƬ financing to scale up the SENI-Plus project. This was complemented by a contribution of approximately $5 million from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. As of today, the total envelope for SENI-Plus amounts to $95 million.

Social Sectors

The Central African government is benefitting from the Ndoy¨¦ Project, financed by Å·ÃÀÈÕb´óƬ in the amount of $30 million, approved by the World Bank on May 23, 2024, and effective as of December 5, 2024. The project aims to deliver cash transfers to over 300,000 beneficiaries and strengthen the country¡¯s social protection system. In response to the influx of refugees caused by conflicts in neighboring countries¡ª46,294 refugees and 8,280 asylum seekers as of January 2025¡ªthe World Bank approved an additional $22 million in financing for the Ndoy¨¦ Project.

Human Capital Development

The Human Capital and Women and Girls¡¯ Empowerment Project (Projet Ma?ngo) has established 150 community safe spaces, 150 clubs, and 11 school-based safe spaces in four prefectures, with a target of 1,512 safe spaces and clubs by 2026. These facilities currently benefit 14,732 individuals, including 4,500 men. Activities focus on life and reproductive health skills, economic inclusion sessions, and literacy, and will be followed by the provision of grants.

The project also supports schoolchildren by covering tuition fees for 30 public primary schools totaling CFAF 92,000,000 (approximately $153,000) and awarding scholarships to 14,466 secondary school students (including 12,300 girls) in four prefectures, for a total amount of CFAF 753,187,500 (approximately $1.255 million).

Early results indicate a highly encouraging impact on the empowerment of adolescent girls and women. The project also promotes girls¡¯ enrollment and retention in school. The ongoing rehabilitation of six vocational training centers is expected to provide technical and vocational education to 11,000 youth.

Last Updated: Apr 01, 2025

In a post-conflict context where security threats persist, the World Bank Group works in close collaboration with United Nations agencies (notably MINUSCA), the African Union, the European Union, France, and the United States.

This collaboration has resulted in joint assessments conducted with the United Nations, the UK Department for International Development (DFID), and the French Development Agency (AFD), in coordination with the Central African authorities. Å·ÃÀÈÕb´óƬ ensures that new projects are aligned with the national development strategy and are complementary to programs led by other development partners.

Last Updated: Apr 01, 2025