Bangui, Central African Republic – In a determined push to accelerate progress and deliver tangible benefits to its citizens, the government of the Central African Republic (CAR) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have concluded a rigorous performance review of their extensive project portfolio. The high-stakes meeting, culminating in the adoption of an ambitious Portfolio Performance Improvement Plan (PPIP), signals a renewed commitment to overcoming operational hurdles and ensuring that millions of dollars in investment translate into real change on the ground.
The three-day intensive workshop, which wrapped up on April 17th, saw key government ministers and top AfDB officials lock heads in Bangui, dissecting the progress of the Bank’s substantial $579 million commitment across 19 vital projects. These initiatives span critical sectors, from the arteries of transport infrastructure and the lifeblood of water and sanitation, to the foundations of agriculture, the power of energy, and the crucial pillars of governance and social well-being.
Against the backdrop of a nation striving to heal and rebuild after years of instability, this performance review took on particular significance. The exercise was deemed essential to ensure that the AfDB’s interventions are not only relevant and well-aligned but also deliver maximum impact as the CAR navigates its path towards economic recovery.
Representing the government, Trade and Industry Minister Thierry Patrick Akoloza underscored the importance of the review, framing it within the vision of the National Development Plan. He lauded the ongoing constructive dialogue with the AfDB, hailing the workshop as a “strategic lever” to fine-tune actions and amplify results for the CAR’s people.
The collaborative spirit was palpable, with key figures such as Higher Education Minister Jean Laurent Syssa-Magalé and Infrastructure Minister Éric Rekosse Kamot actively participating alongside project managers, technical experts, financial partners, and representatives from civil society and the private sector.
Mamady Souaré, the AfDB’s Country Office head for the CAR, emphasized the comprehensive nature of the joint assessment. “The portfolio’s performance can only flourish through open dialogue, genuine national ownership of these projects, and enhanced coordination among all stakeholders,” he asserted. “This workshop embodies our shared aspiration to transform financial pledges into concrete improvements in the lives of the population.”
Mr. Souaré further highlighted the Bank’s unwavering determination to bolster accountability, national buy-in, and operational efficiency. He declared the workshop a symbol of a revitalized partnership, firmly focused on fostering stability, resilience, and inclusive growth throughout the CAR.
The outcomes of the intensive discussions were crystallized in the PPIP, a strategic blueprint forged from detailed sectoral mini-reviews conducted in the lead-up to the main event. This document is poised to provide a clear operational compass, strengthening the dialogue between the AfDB and the CAR government and ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of the Bank’s operations and the achievement of intended goals.
The momentum generated by the portfolio review was immediately evident. Just a day later, CAR President Faustin Archange Touadéra himself officiated the launch of construction on a significant 221 km road linking Gouga, Mbaïki, and Bangui. This $282 million project, bankrolled by the AfDB, forms a crucial segment of the ambitious Pointe-Noire–Brazzaville–Bangui–N’Djamena Multimodal Transport Corridor Development Project, underscoring the regional impact of the Bank’s commitments.
In a joint press conference following the workshop, Mr. Souaré and Moïse Zami, the chief of staff at the Ministry of the Economy, conveyed a sense of optimism and shared the key conclusions and future prospects arising from their collaborative efforts. The message was clear: the CAR and the African Development Bank are united in their resolve to turn ambitious plans into tangible realities for the benefit of the Central African people.
