AfDB’s Mamady Souaré Reaffirms Continued Support

Casablanca, November 26, 2025 – “The African Development Bank will remain a committed partner to the Central African Republic,” reaffirmed Mamady Souaré, Head of the Bank’s Country Office in Bangui, during his address at the Investment Round Table in Casablanca. “The Central African Republic has shown resilience in the face of past challenges and is advancing key reforms. The National Development Plan now provides a framework to accelerate this progress. The African Development Bank is proud to support this effort with projects already underway in energy, education, transport, and digital connectivity. Our commitment will continue, with the potential to scale up significantly through transformative regional projects. Together, we can help the CAR turn its vision into lasting development and opportunity for its people.”

A Record of Resilience and Recovery

Souaré reminded participants that the Central African Republic has rebuilt significant productive capacity. Thanks to the resilience of its population and sustained reforms since the return to constitutional order, the country has already recovered 39% of the GDP lost during the 2012 crisis. At the same time, progress in public finance management – including better-quality expenditure, modernization of fiscal administration, and strengthened anti-corruption frameworks – is helping stabilize the macroeconomic environment.

These advances, Souaré stressed, provide a strong foundation for the implementation of the National Development Plan and for renewed investor confidence.

Strategic Investments Already Underway

Souaré highlighted the AfDB’s support to the CAR which extends across multiple critical sectors:

·  Education: The Bank financed the construction of 30 schools, a technical high school, the rehabilitation of the women’s vocational high school, and support to the Higher Institute of Agronomic Research.

·  Water Access and Energy: The rehabilitation of 20 km of water distribution network in Bangui and improvements to the city’s pumping station are already benefiting thousands of residents. The Bank also funded the rehabilitation of the Boali 2 hydroelectric power station (10 MW), drastically improving electricity access.

·  Transport Infrastructure: A USD 300 million investment is underway for the construction of 221 km of road linking Bangui to the Republic of Congo. Once completed, this corridor will reduce costs, shorten transport times, and give the CAR an additional maritime outlet for trade. The project also includes the reconstruction of the Mongoumba River Port.

·  Digital Connectivity: More than 900 km of fiber optic cable and three digital training centers have been built with co-financing from the EU, and operations are set to accelerate with a private concessionaire assuming management.

·  Private Sector and Finance Support: A USD 5 million trade guarantee line provided to Bank Centrafrique is facilitating commerce, encouraging SME growth, and supporting job creation. In addition, two rounds of budget support and institutional reforms have been deployed to modernize tax systems, reduce fiscal losses, and strengthen endogenous resource mobilization.

With these efforts, the AfDB’s portfolio in the CAR grew from USD 55 million in 2015 to over USD 660 million by 2024, a tenfold increase in less than a decade.

Scaling Up Support for the National Development Plan

Souaré emphasized that while progress is significant, investment needs remain immense. The government’s efforts to improve tax revenue are vital but cannot substitute for the concessional financing required to execute priority projects under the National Development Plan.

The AfDB has already mobilized USD 171 million for the 2024–2025 cycle under ADF-16 and will provide a minimum of USD 60 million between 2026 and 2028. This contribution could be quadrupled if the CAR secures competitive access to the Bank’s regional envelope through transformative projects – a competition held at the continental level.

A Call for Collective Action

In his closing statement, Souaré praised the Moroccan authorities for their support in hosting the Casablanca Round Table and reiterated that transforming the CAR’s potential into tangible results requires a unified effort.

Public financing alone will not be enough; private investment, innovative instruments, and strong regional partnerships are all essential to achieving the goals of the National Development Plan.

“The AfDB stands ready to continue supporting the Central African Republic every step of the way,” Souaré affirmed. “Together, we can turn the country’s vision into real opportunities for its people.”