Minister Ndoba Calls for Accelerated Reforms

Bangui/Washington, November 25, 2025 – In an in-depth interview with Africa24 TV, the Minister of Finance and Budget of the Central African Republic, Hervé Ndoba, delivered a clear and urgent message: the country must intensify its reforms – particularly in tax collection and digitalization – while securing stronger support from international financial institutions to consolidate economic stability and drive long-term development.

Speaking on the sidelines of the IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings, Ndoba described them as “rich and strategic,” with discussions focused on advancing the CAR’s ongoing program under the IMF’s Extended Credit Facility – a USD 200 million initiative that the country has successfully completed four reviews of to date. The program, he emphasized, is built on two pillars: the mobilization of domestic revenues and the strengthening of transparency, efficiency, and accountability in public spending.

Strengthening Fiscal Stability Through Reforms

The minister noted that CAR remains the country in the CEMAC region with the lowest tax-to-GDP ratio, between 7% and 8%, far below its potential. Increasing this ratio, Ndoba stressed, is essential not only for fiscal sustainability but also for creating space for development spending.

Reforms under way include enhanced domestic resource mobilization, improvements to tax administration, and an accelerated push toward digitalization. He underscored the necessity of expanded technical assistance and capacity-building to help the government design, calibrate, and implement these reforms successfully.

A Call for Renewed International Support

Ndoba delivered to both the IMF Managing Director and the President of the World Bank Group the official Bangui Declaration, adopted during the African Caucus hosted by CAR in July 2025 – earning the country widespread praise for its leadership. The declaration calls for concrete action on debt relief, infrastructure financing, domestic resource mobilization, and scaling up technical assistance, reflecting the shared priorities of African finance ministers.

Ndoba stressed that the current global environment has hit vulnerable countries particularly hard. In the CAR, he noted, over USD 140 million in external financing for sectors like health has already been lost, underscoring the urgency of a global debt moratorium to free fiscal space for essential services and investments.

Financing Growth and Supporting the Private Sector

The minister emphasized that large-scale concessional financing from the World Bank is crucial to closing the country’s severe infrastructure gap and enabling a shift toward positive, sustained growth. At the same time, the CAR must expand economic opportunities for its growing youth population – something that requires a dynamic, empowered private sector.

To that end, the government continues to advance reforms to improve the business climate, reduce regulatory bottlenecks, and expand access to finance. A strengthened justice system – seen as the foundation of a fair and predictable business environment – remains central to these reforms.

A Vision for Inclusive and Sustainable Development

Ndoba highlighted CAR’s commitment to transparency, good governance, inclusion, and human rights, all core principles embedded in the country’s national strategies. Key priorities include:

• Reinforcing rule of law and judicial capacity

• Supporting displaced populations, host communities, and refugees through training and reintegration programs

• Promoting youth and women’s entrepreneurship

• Advancing environmental protection and green growth initiatives

“A Turning Point for the Central African Republic”

Looking ahead, Ndoba reaffirmed the government’s determination to continue working closely with international partners to stabilize the macroeconomic framework, strengthen institutions, and enable responsible investment. The path is challenging, he acknowledged, but the country is moving forward “with ambition and determination.”

“More than ever, the Central African Republic needs deeper reforms, stronger institutions, and increased support from the IMF and World Bank. With the right tools, the right partnerships, and the right reforms, we can build a stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient economy for our people,” he concluded.

Watch the full interview here.