Casablanca, November 5, 2025 – “Europe will remain a committed partner along the Central African Republic’s journey,” reaffirmed Diego Escalona Paturel, EU Ambassador to the Central African Republic, in his address at the Investment Round Table in Casablanca. “The impressive Round Table is proof of the country’s determination to mobilize both public and private investment. Today, with the launch of the National Development Plan, the CAR enters a new phase – for which we are determined to work together, ensuring that our joint efforts deliver tangible progress for the people of the Central African Republic.”
His remarks captured both the depth of Europe’s long-standing engagement and its confidence in the CAR’s transformation under the National Development Plan.
A Partnership Rooted in History
In his speech, Escalona Paturel emphasized the historic and enduring partnership between the European Union and the Central African Republic – a relationship dating back to 1957. Despite challenges and instability, the EU has remained a pillar of continuity, providing not only humanitarian support but also sustained assistance in governance, security, and infrastructure.
Between 2014 and 2024, the EU mobilized approximately €1.3 billion in funding to support the country’s reconstruction, modernization, and peacebuilding efforts. “The European Union has never ceased to stand with the Central African Republic,” the Ambassador noted, highlighting Europe’s faith in the country’s resilience and its potential to become a model of recovery and reform in the region.
Supporting the National Development Plan
Escalona Paturel underlined that the EU’s engagement extends far beyond aid – it includes strategic collaboration in shaping the Central African Republic’s development framework. Beginning with the National Recovery and Peacebuilding Plan in 2016 and continuing with the National Development Plan 2024-2028, the EU has provided technical expertise and financial backing to ensure that national priorities translate into actionable projects.
He praised the Casablanca Round Table as a milestone of confidence and coordination, demonstrating both the CAR’s renewed credibility and the international community’s willingness to support its reforms.
The Ambassador emphasized that public aid and private investment are two pillars of the same strategy. “Development assistance must create the conditions for the private sector to flourish – to contribute to economic recovery, peace, and social progress,” he said. The EU, he added, shares the government’s vision of transitioning from stabilization to sustainable growth driven by entrepreneurship, innovation, and private capital.
Global Gateway: A Framework for Shared Prosperity
Looking ahead, Escalona Paturel pointed to the EU’s Global Gateway strategy as a key mechanism for deepening cooperation and aligning investments with the CAR’s priorities. Through this initiative, Europe will help finance modern infrastructure, renewable energy, transport corridors, and digital connectivity, ensuring that growth is both sustainable and inclusive.
“By joining forces under Team Europe,” he said, “we ensure that our collective expertise and financing bring real impact – fostering competitiveness, integration, and prosperity for all. The Global Gateway is about partnership, not dependency; it is about building lasting bridges between Africa and Europe.”
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