The economy of the Central African Republic: growth, mining and trade

Economy of the Central African Republic: structure and weight of the sectors

The economy of the Central African Republic relies on agriculture, forestry and mining, in a landlocked country that uses the CFA franc of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) zone. Gross domestic product reaches 1,537.5 billion CFA francs in 2024, about 2.2 billion dollars, and GDP per capita is 516 dollars, according to the Banque de France, which draws on data from the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Growth, agriculture and the structure of GDP

Growth reached 1.6% in 2024 according to the Banque de France. Average inflation stood at 1.5% in 2024. Over the period 2020-2024, agriculture, livestock, forestry, hunting and fishing account on average for 33.5% of nominal GDP, manufacturing and crafts for 16.6%, and banking, insurance and other market services for 15.7%. Agriculture, dominated by subsistence production, provides notably cotton, coffee and cassava.

Mining and forestry: gold, diamonds and timber

Timber, gold and diamonds provide most export revenue: between 2020 and 2024, timber accounts on average for 54.2% of exports, gold for 27.5% and diamonds for 8.2%. The World Bank sees mining as the main driver of growth, with 470 mining sites, but the sector creates few jobs. The World Bank also estimates that the forestry and mining sectors hold significant potential for public revenue.

Foreign trade and investment

In 2024, exports of goods and services reach 205.4 billion CFA francs and imports 487.6 billion, a goods deficit of 249.8 billion and a current account deficit of 166.4 billion, or 10.8% of GDP. As the country is landlocked, most trade uses the Douala-Bangui road corridor, from the Cameroonian port of Douala. In 2022, French purchases in the Central African Republic, worth 6.1 million euros, consist of 82% raw timber, according to the Directorate General of the Treasury. The stock of French direct investment reaches 214 million euros in 2021, with groups such as Orange or MOCAF. Trade with France remains very limited, about 1% of France's trade with the CEMAC countries, according to the Directorate General of the Treasury.

Public finances and reforms in the economy of the Central African Republic

Public debt represents 47.8% of GDP in 2024, against 44.5% in 2023, a rise of 3.3 points in one year. Domestic revenue remains below 10% of GDP, according to the World Bank, and the wage bill absorbs up to 73% of public resources. Nearly nine in ten households lack electricity, which holds back the private sector, and extreme poverty affects about two thirds of the population. In July 2026, the World Bank recommends five priorities: broadening the tax base, improving cash and debt management, strengthening transparency, directing spending towards the social sectors and better coordinating aid. In 2025, the IMF carried out the third and fourth reviews of a programme backed by the Extended Credit Facility.