Infrastructure as Lever: A Flagship Project for Women’s Empowerment

Bangui, October 2, 2025 – Among the most significant initiatives launched under the National Development Plan regarding women and girls is the Gender-Sensitive Infrastructure and Women’s Economic Empowerment Project, a $30 million flagship program designed to transform the lives and future prospects of women across the Central African Republic (CAR).

Objectives: Empowerment Through Infrastructure and Inclusion

The project pursues a dual objective: to improve living conditions for women and girls through gender-sensitive infrastructure and to boost their economic independence by expanding opportunities in trade, entrepreneurship, and local value chains. By targeting both social and economic dimensions, the program aims to break the cycle of vulnerability while positioning women as drivers of growth.

Key Activities Ahead

Implementation is structured around concrete, measurable actions:

• Construction of 10 holistic empowerment centers across the country, serving as hubs for training, services, and protection.

• Rehabilitation of 15 local and cross-border markets with gender-sensitive features such as lighting, childcare facilities, clean water, and safe storage.

• Support for 500 women’s cooperatives and 1,000 small businesses, especially in agro-industry, crafts, and trade.

• Training of 30,000 women and youth in literacy, numeracy, vocational skills, and green economy opportunities.

Expected Results

The program is designed to deliver transformative outcomes by 2028. It aims to create around 30,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide and to raise women’s incomes by at least 50 percent, particularly in rural areas. Just as importantly, it seeks to improve women’s sense of safety in markets and public spaces by 30 percent, while also ensuring that women play a greater role in the governance of local markets and empowerment centers.

Major Benefits

The project is expected to deliver wide-reaching benefits across multiple dimensions. On the social level, it will create safer and more inclusive public spaces for women and girls. The economic impact will be felt through stronger local value chains and greater participation of women in the formal economy.

From an environmental perspective, the project will reduce reliance on fossil fuels by expanding the use of solar energy systems. Finally, in terms of governance, it will ensure that women are directly included in decision-making processes around infrastructure and market management, anchoring equality at the heart of development.

A Minister’s Vision

For Dr. Marthe Augustine Kirimat, Minister for the Promotion of Gender, Protection of Women, Family and Children of the Central African Republic, this project is central to the country’s future: “The development of the CAR cannot succeed if women are not empowered, strengthened, and protected.”

A Catalyst for a Brighter Future

As one of the flagship projects under Ambition28, the Gender-Sensitive Infrastructure and Women’s Empowerment Project reflects the CAR’s determination to anchor women at the heart of its development. By modernizing infrastructure, creating opportunities, and reinforcing safety, it promises not only to uplift women but to drive inclusive, sustainable growth for the nation.