The World Bank in Central African Republic

The Central African Republic (CAR), a sparsely populated country with 6,100,000 inhabitants in 2021, is a landlocked nation in the heart of the African continent with an area of 623,000 km². Despite its wealth of natural resources (470 mining indices, with petroleum, gold, and diamonds as the main potential resources), CAR is among the world's poorest and most fragile countries. The country has endured over two decades of crises, the most significant of which was marked by the seizure of power by the Séléka in 2013. The latest crisis was triggered by the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) rebels in December 2020.

CAR ranked 191^st out of 193 countries in the 2022 Human Capital and Development Index. The country boasts significant agricultural potential and vast forests, yet the population still awaits the opportunity to fully benefit from these resources.

Political Context

The Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation (APPR-CAR), signed on February 6, 2019, with 14 armed groups, continues to serve as a roadmap for the pursuit of long-term peace and stability, even after some armed groups linked to the CPC withdrew from the agreement in December 2020.

The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), through the Luanda Roadmap, has facilitated progress in the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration, and resettlement (DDRR) of CPC combatants. The dissolution of nine out of the 14 signatory armed groups in 2023 is expected to contribute to peace and stability.

A new constitution was adopted in August 2023, and local elections are scheduled for 2025, the first since 1986.

Economic Situation

The economy has continued to stagnate since 2023, partly due to a 13% decrease in reported gold production during the first half of 2024, likely linked to an increase in smuggling in conflict areas. However, the main factor behind this stagnation is the delay and uncertainty surrounding the river transport campaign for fuel imports, which had not materialized by the end of August 2024 and typically account for 80-85% of fuel imports. Fuel shortages, ongoing for three years, continue to severely disrupt local trade and production. Although limited fuel reserves and the black market may prevent a short-term collapse, the situation remains extremely concerning.

Additionally, low electricity production has led to repeated power outages in Greater Bangui. The estimated GDP growth for 2024 is 0.7%, similar to 2023, and well below the country's economic potential.

Social Situation

The population living in extreme poverty is one and a half times larger in rural areas than in urban areas.

According to the latest report from the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), approximately 2.8 million people require humanitarian assistance. In August 2024, the total number of internally displaced persons was estimated at 450,000, while 739,000 people were still registered as refugees in neighboring countries.

Maternal mortality is one of the highest in the world (835 per 100,000 live births), while the under-five mortality rate is the sixth highest, with 116 deaths per 1,000 births. Chronic malnutrition (children under 5) is 38%. CAR also has one of the world's highest fertility rates, with 6 births per woman. The average life expectancy is 53 years, for both men and women.

CAR is among the countries with the lowest education indicators. The expected years of schooling in CAR are 5.3 years for boys and 3.8 years for girls. The quality of primary education is low, with 67% of parent-teachers and a very low proportion of female teachers (17%).

CAR ranks 188^th out of 191 in terms of gender equality. These gender disparities contribute to high rates of gender-based violence (GBV), posing a significant barrier to women's full participation in social and economic life. Empowering women is essential for the country's development.

Last Updated: Oct 17, 2024

The World Bank's engagement in the Central African Republic is guided by the FY 2021-2025 partnership framework, which focuses on strengthening human capital, connectivity, and improving economic governance. Under this framework, the World Bank has financed programs in agriculture, water, electricity, education, statistics, infrastructure, natural resource management, social protection, and budget reform. Currently, the portfolio of ongoing projects amounts to nearly $1.2 billion.

Last Updated: Oct 17, 2024

Energy

The Emergency Electricity Supply and Access Project (PURACEL) enabled the construction of the 25 MW Danzi photovoltaic solar power plant, with 25 MWh of storage. This funding also improved the electricity distribution network in Bangui and its surroundings.

The construction of two approximately 1 MW solar photovoltaic mini-grids in Bambari and Berberati was completed under the Water and Electricity Modernization Project (PASEEL; P162245). Residents who had been without public electricity services since 2013 now benefit from a permanent supply.

The Power Sector Strengthening and Access Project (PARSE), with $113 million in funding approved in June 2022, aims to: (i) increase Danzi's capacity from 25 MW/MWh to 40 MW/MWh, with private sector involvement; (ii) build five additional solar photovoltaic mini-grids in five major provincial cities (Bouar, Bangassou, Nola, Bossembele, and Birao); (iii) electrify over 600 public facilities (schools, hospitals, administrative buildings) and distribute 60,000 standalone solar systems for households.

Road Infrastructure

The Emergency Infrastructure and Connectivity Recovery Project (PURIC) rehabilitated 400 kilometers of roads in the northwest and completed 480 kilometers of roads, aiming to achieve 1,500 kilometers in the northeast, reaching the Sudanese border at Am Dafock. These achievements complement those recorded under the Rural Connectivity Emergency Projects, which included (i) constructing a bridge at Bamingui; (ii) building 81 engineering structures; (iii) rehabilitating 12 bridges, 12 rain barriers, and 63 socio-economic infrastructures.

The Central Africa Corridor Improvement Project (PRACAC) will rehabilitate the river connection between Brazzaville and Bangui by dredging and marking the Oubangui River and rehabilitating three river ports in CAR. The project will also pave 150 kilometers of road between Bossembele and Bossangoa, approximately 5 kilometers of streets in these cities, and a network of 300 kilometers of roads.

The total number of project beneficiaries is estimated at 450,000. The projects have created numerous jobs, with nearly 150,000 person-days through labor-intensive public works and the creation of 10,037 temporary jobs, 27% of which are held by women.

Agriculture

The Agriculture Recovery and Agribusiness Development Support Project (ARADSP) aims to increase agricultural productivity among small farmers, promote micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in agribusiness in the project's target areas, and provide an immediate and effective response in case of emergency or potential crisis. The project's main beneficiaries are rural households, producer groups, agro-industrial MSMEs, and institutions supporting agricultural development.

The Emergency Response to the Food Crisis Project (PRUCAC) aims to increase food production and improve resilience in affected areas for small farmers and food-insecure households. The agricultural activities under the project have doubled the yields per hectare for specific crops.

The projects have reached 400,546 beneficiaries, providing them with approximately 4,271 tons of agricultural inputs, significantly increasing local food production. The organization of households into farmers' associations has brought together 21,077 small farmers within 795 legally constituted groups.

Regarding rural entrepreneurship development through a matching grant fund, the project co-financed 19 MSMEs. Supported MSMEs experienced a remarkable 142% increase in turnover. This financial support also created 229 jobs.

In terms of community infrastructure development, 102 community-managed productive infrastructure projects have been completed. Additionally, the project completed the construction of the 45 km Bossangoa-Ouham Bac road and built five agropastoral infrastructures along this route. The project also constructed five seed banks in Kaga Bandoro, Bria, Bossangoa, Bambari, and Alindao to serve as secure facilities for safeguarding and conserving plant genetic diversity, protecting against the loss of valuable genetic resources in the country.

Education

The Emergency Basic Education Support Project (PUSEB) provided students with 1,023 classrooms, including 773 classrooms for primary level 1 and 250 for level 2. The project also constructed 371 latrines, 15,808 desk-benches, 878 desks, and 40 boreholes. This project supported the education of 73,758 students in the remedial program, including 36,044 girls, and 8,980 students in the accelerated education program, including 4,232 girls. PUSEB also trained 316 educational supervisors (including 51 women), 2,139 school principals (including 143 women), and 9,724 teachers for primary level 1 (including 2,179 women).

The Education Sector Plan Support Project II (PAPSE II) provided students with 357 classrooms, including 17 for preschool, 312 for primary level 1, and 28 for level 2. It also constructed 59 latrines, 3,672 desk-benches, and 204 desks. This project supported the education of 118,992 students in the remedial program, including 52,559 girls, and 8,652 students in the accelerated education program, including 4,029 girls. The project also trained 283 educational supervisors (including 30 women) and 160 school principals (including 12 women).

Health

In 2012, the World Bank financed the implementation of the Health System Support Project (PASS) with an amount of $28.2 million, which enabled the reopening of some healthcare facilities in the country’s most remote areas. In 2015, an additional $12 million in funding allowed for the rehabilitation of healthcare facilities destroyed during the crisis and the improvement of maternal and child healthcare services.

To sustain the achievements of previous projects, the World Bank granted $53 million to strengthen the health system by improving the availability of healthcare services. The project enabled: (i) the provision of quality healthcare to more than 42% of the Central African population, including over 100,000 pregnant women and 426,125 children under the age of five who received free healthcare; (ii) the operation of 492 health centers and 15 district hospitals covering over 2.36 million inhabitants; (iii) the provision of medical, psychosocial, and socio-economic support to more than 2,982 survivors in five health districts across the country.

Finally, to help increase the use of essential health services and improve their quality in targeted regions of CAR, a new health system and services strengthening project (SENI Plus) was launched in October 2022, with an initial budget of $95 million. The project aims to sustain the gains of the previous project and expand support services for GBV survivors in 15 health districts.

Social Sectors

The Support Project for Displaced Communities (PACAD), implemented by the government from 2017 to 2024, improved access to basic social services for approximately 390,000 people (about 78,000 households) and provided quarterly cash transfers of 25,000 CFA francs ($41.67) per person to over 240,000 people (49,000 households) from vulnerable households affected by displacement, flooding, and COVID-19. These activities injected nearly 9.49 billion CFA francs (approximately $19 million) into the local economy across seven areas of the country. About 73% of the beneficiaries reported increased activities following their participation in the social safety net program.

Additionally, the NDOYE project, approved in May 2024 with $30 million in funding for the scaling up of social safety nets, will provide cash transfers to more than 300,000 beneficiaries and strengthen the social protection system in the country by establishing a unified social registry and a digital payment platform.

Human capital strengthening

The Human Capital Strengthening Project (Maïngo) finances tuition fees through grants for 30 public primary schools with a total amount of 92,000,000 CFA francs (approximately $147,200). The project will also help provide scholarships to 14,466 secondary school students (including 12,300 girls) in four prefectures of the country.

The results are encouraging in terms of empowering young girls and women, as well as promoting girls' enrollment and retention in the school system. The rehabilitation of six training centers will allow 11,000 young people to benefit from vocational and technical training.

Last Updated: Oct 17, 2024

In a post-conflict context where security threats persist, the World Bank Group closely collaborates with United Nations agencies (MINUSCA), the International Monetary Fund, the African Union, the African Development Bank, the French Development Agency, the European Union, France, and the United States. The World Bank ensures that its new projects are aligned with the actions of other development partners.

Last Updated: Oct 17, 2024