September 16, 2026
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Current News Recap: Digital transformation, football and more

Bangui, October 15, 2025 – From digital transformation and peacebuilding to football and the World Cup Qualifiers, the past weeks for have been busy for the Central African Republic. As 2025 advances, after the introduction of the National Development Plan and the successful Investment Round Table, the Central African Republic (CAR) stands at a crossroads — politically, economically, and socially. Here is an overview of recent news.

Football: Investing in the Future of the Game

In New York, President Prof. Faustin-Archange Touadéra met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to discuss a series of ambitious initiatives for the development of football in the Central African Republic. Among the projects under review are the creation of a women’s technical training center, the construction of 10 school football pitches, and a new national stadium meeting international standards.

“Our youth are our future,” President Touadéra emphasized, describing the initiative as a key step toward fostering talent, unity, and opportunity through sport.

The renewed focus on youth and infrastructure comes as the national team, the Fauves, wrapped up their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Having already missed out on a ticket to next year’s tournament, the team closed their run suffering a 5–0 defeat to Ghana. Just days earlier, they had celebrated a hard-fought 3–2 victory over Chad — a brief but spirited reminder of the potential that lies ahead for Central African football.

Digital Innovation: First Tokenization Project in Agriculture

In Bossongo, a village symbolizing the promise of rural transformation, the first tokenized agricultural project has entered its second phase.
The initiative — supported by the government — combines blockchain technology with real farming, allowing agricultural assets such as land or crops to be digitally represented and traded through tokens.

President Touadéra, a long-time advocate for digital innovation, hailed the project as a milestone in the country’s modernization. “Real transformation happens when technology serves the people. From Bossongo, the promise of digital innovation becomes tangible: jobs, growth, and shared prosperity for our citizens.”

Local associations are playing a central role in soil preparation and community engagement — turning innovation into employment and empowerment. The project represents a practical demonstration of how blockchain can generate real economic impact in agriculture, bridging technology and traditional livelihoods.

IFC Financing Training for Entrepreneurs: Turning Promises into Practice

Just weeks after the Investment Round Table in Casablanca, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), in partnership with SOFIA Credit and CAPMEA, launched a financial management training program for 150 local entrepreneurs in the Central African Republic. The sessions provide hands-on tools to strengthen business skills and improve access to finance, which is a crucial step for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.

As Dahlia Khalifa, IFC’s Regional Director for Central and Anglophone West Africa, noted, “The test of commitment is what happens after the signatures. Now we are seeing real action on the ground.” This initiative translates the momentum of Casablanca into tangible progress, building a stronger private sector and reinforcing the development plan’s long-term goal of inclusive economic growth.

Disarmament: Two Armed Groups Lay Down Arms

In a landmark move for national reconciliation, two armed groups have formally disbanded as part of the government’s disarmament, demobilization, reintegration, and repatriation (DDRR) process.

The decision — taken in full compliance with the Peace Agreement — marks a concrete step toward lasting peace and stability. President Touadéra welcomed the announcement as a “historic act of courage,” declaring that “peace is our greatest victory.”

With support from the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), the government continues to advance DDRR programs across multiple regions.
Community involvement and local leadership have proven key to ensuring the sustainability of these efforts, reinforcing the principle that peace must be built not only through agreements, but also through shared responsibility on the ground.

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