Casablanca/Bangui, September 24, 2025 – “Under the leadership of President Prof. Faustin Archange Touadéra, the CAR was able to mobilize a significant sum of $9 billion, which will be dedicated to the implementation of the National Development Plan. I can say with conviction and strength that this was a great success”, highlighted Prof. Richard Filakota, Minister of Economy, Planning and International Cooperation of the Central African Republic in an in-depth interview with Africa24.
The Investment Round Table in Casablanca marked a turning point for the Central African Republic (CAR). Over two days of intense exchanges with investors from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, the country secured billions in commitments to finance its National Development Plan 2024-2028.
A New Route of Development
Filakota placed this achievement in the context of the CAR’s difficult past. “We are a country that has gone through phases of crisis, fragility, and resilience. Today we are on the path to development. The population will now see its living conditions improve through the investments that will be deployed,” he explained. For him, the transition is clear: moving from emergency governance to true long-term development.
Priority Sectors for Transformation
The Minister outlined the key priority sectors where funds will first be directed:
Energy: “You cannot develop a country without energy. Industrialization requires energy, and investors are already arriving with energy-intensive projects. We must put in place the infrastructure to allow this industrialization to happen,” he said.
Transport and Connectivity: As a landlocked country, the CAR must strengthen its road network. “Where the roads pass, development follows. Roads connect cities, connect people, and create economic opportunity,” Filakota emphasized.
Agriculture and Livestock: With fertile arable land, agriculture is another foundation for growth. The Minister stressed that investments will not only serve food security but also open opportunities for agro-industrial value chains.
Mining: The CAR is exceedingly rich in natural ressources and minerals, including precious stones. Filakota insisted on moving from artisanal exploitation to industrial production, transformation, and commercialization to generate sustainable revenues.
Transparency and Accountability
One of the recurring concerns among international partners is governance. The Minister acknowledged this openly: “When you receive such a significant sum – $9 billion – you must ensure transparency and accountability. We must report not only to donors and lenders, but also to our own population. How do we reduce poverty? How do we improve health, education, and living standards? These are the measures of governance.”
Filakota explained that lessons were drawn from the previous RCPCA recovery plan. This time, emphasis is on establishing mechanisms to monitor how funds are used and on ensuring visible impact for citizens.
Ecological Transition and Social Inclusion
The Minister also underlined the importance of aligning development with global challenges: “Climate change affects everyone, rich and poor alike. The CAR holds 10% of the Congo Basin, one of the planet’s great carbon sinks. We must preserve this resource while also increasing forest cover, and we are working with partners like the World Bank to benefit from green funds,” he noted.
Improving the Business Climate
Finally, Filakota highlighted reforms underway to make the CAR more attractive to private investors: “The weakness of the private sector has been the business environment. That is why the Minister of Justice presented the reforms we are undertaking to ensure a reliable framework. We want to reassure local investors and international ones from Europe and Asia that conditions are being met for their capital to be safe.”
The Minister concluded with a call for continued engagement: “Africa24 has an important role in changing the narrative and image of the Central African Republic. This country has reached a level of respectability, and we must continue to show the world the progress we are making.”
The interview with Minister Filakota underscores both the scale of what has been achieved in Casablanca and the challenges that lie ahead. The task now is to translate the vision into tangible improvements for the people of the Central African Republic. His message is clear: transparency, reform, and focused investment will be vital to make Ambition28 the true turning point for the nation.
Watch the full interview with Africa24 here.
You are now leaving the official website. The Ambition Journal is not responsible for the content of the following pages.
To continue, click 'Continue'.