AGP Executive Report

Beverage Industry: Castel Group removed Romy Castel from three boards, including BGI, which oversees the group’s beverage operations in the Central African Republic, deepening a wider governance dispute. Mining & Security: A Wall Street Journal investigation estimates Pavel Prigozhin’s Africa network earns more than $400 million a year, with about 500 Wagner fighters in CAR. Moscow is urging Bangui to replace Wagner with paid state-run Africa Corps, a potentially costly shift. Trade Routes: Communities on the Sudan-CAR border agreed to reopen the Um Dafuq crossing to pastoralists and commercial traffic after compensation was paid for deaths in earlier clashes. Transport: A proposed €266.2 million package for Cameroon’s Douala-Edéa road and a second Dibamba bridge could improve freight links toward CAR, but financing still needs approval. Fuel Costs: CAR petrol prices rose to $1.957 a litre in October, up from $1.818 in September.

Vakaga Security: Four young men were killed near Délémbé on November 5 in an attack residents say involved Russian-backed mercenaries. The violence threatens rural livelihoods and has driven families from their homes. Cross-Border Trade: Sudanese and Central African communities agreed to reopen the Um Dafuq crossing to pastoralists and traders after compensation was paid for deaths in earlier clashes, restoring access to grazing routes and commercial activity. Transport Links: Cameroon has proposed €266.2 million in financing for the Douala–Edéa road and a second Dibamba bridge, a major freight route toward the Central African Republic. The funding still needs approval. Fuel Costs: CAR petrol prices climbed to $1.957 a litre in October, up from $1.818 in September, adding pressure on transport and household budgets. Russian Security Costs: Moscow has pressed CAR to replace Wagner with its state-run Africa Corps and pay in cash; officials reportedly prefer Wagner’s mineral-based arrangement, which could shape how the country’s resources are traded.

Border Trade: Communities on the Sudan-CAR frontier agreed to reopen the Um Dafuq crossing to traders and pastoralists after compensation payments, easing a disruption to cross-border commerce and grazing. Minerals and Security Costs: Russia has asked CAR to replace Wagner with its state-run Africa Corps and pay in cash; officials reportedly prefer Wagner’s mineral-based arrangement, leaving questions over the cost and terms of security support. CVMR also says it is advancing a mineral-processing and refining program in CAR. Regional Logistics: Cameroon’s proposed €266.2 million package would rebuild the Douala-Edéa road and add a second Dibamba bridge on a major route linking Douala with CAR; funding still needs approval. Currency and Prices: BEAC aims to raise coin availability across Central Africa to 30 per person by 2030, from 23. Old CEMAC CFA coins have lost legal-tender status but can still be exchanged. CAR petrol reached $1.957 a litre in October.

Border Trade: Sudanese and Central African communities agreed to reopen the Um Dafuq crossing to pastoralists and traders after compensation was paid for deaths in 2025 clashes, restoring access to grazing routes and cross-border commerce. Currency: Old CFA franc coins issued from 1958 to 1985 lost legal-tender status across CEMAC on November 1. They can be exchanged at banks, microfinance institutions and BEAC counters until July 31, 2027, then only at BEAC through October. Security Costs: Russia has asked CAR to replace Wagner with its state-run Africa Corps, which would require cash payments reportedly worth billions of CFA francs. Bangui is reluctant, preferring Wagner’s mineral-based arrangement. Transport Links: Cameroon is seeking €266.2 million to rebuild the Douala–Edéa road and add a Dibamba bridge on a key route linking Douala with CAR; lenders’ approval is pending. Investment: An African Development Bank-backed project covering CAR and 12 other countries will help bring natural assets into economic planning and investment decisions, with a US$4.23 million grant for work through 2029.

Border Trade: Sudanese and Central African communities agreed to reopen the Um Dafuq crossing to pastoralists and commercial traffic after compensation was paid for deaths in 2025 clashes, easing restrictions on trade and livestock routes. Regional Logistics: European partners have proposed €266.2 million to rebuild Cameroon’s Douala–Edéa road and construct a second Dibamba bridge, improving a key freight link toward the Central African Republic; funding still needs approval. Payments: Old CFA franc coins lost legal-tender status across CEMAC on November 1. Holders can exchange them at banks, microfinance institutions or BEAC counters through July 31, 2027. Customs: A West and Central African customs meeting in Liberia is focused on intelligence-sharing and coordinated enforcement to curb smuggling, protect public revenue and keep legitimate trade moving. Security Costs: Russia has urged CAR to replace Wagner with its state-run Africa Corps and pay cash for its services; Bangui is reluctant, preferring Wagner’s mineral-based arrangements.

Trade Corridors: Cameroon’s proposed €266.2 million package would rebuild the Douala–Edéa road and add a second Dibamba bridge, easing freight on a major route to the Central African Republic. The financing still needs approval. Minerals: A 25-year partnership launched by CVMR and the CAR government aims to develop exploration, processing and refining at home, helping retain more value from mineral exports. Rosgeo has also launched gold exploration in the country. Currency: Old CFA franc coins issued from 1958 to 1985 lost legal tender status across CEMAC on November 1. Holders can exchange them at banks, microfinance institutions or BEAC until July 31, 2027, and at BEAC until October 31. Business Costs: CAR petrol prices rose to $1.957 a litre in October, up from $1.818 in September, adding pressure on transport and operating costs. Regional Trade: Customs officials from 24 African countries met in Liberia to strengthen intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement against smuggling, with the WCO urging measurable results to protect revenue and facilitate legitimate trade.

Diamond Trade: Central African Republic representatives joined African diplomats at Qatar’s planned diamond exchange to discuss trade cooperation, but no deal was announced. Security Costs: Russia is pressing Bangui to replace Wagner with its state-run Africa Corps and pay in cash—reportedly billions of CFA francs—while CAR officials prefer Wagner and mineral-based payments. Currency: Old CFA franc coins lost legal tender status across CEMAC on November 1. They can be exchanged at banks, microfinance institutions or BEAC counters through July 31, 2027, and at BEAC until October 31. Mineral Processing: A new 25-year partnership with CVMR aims to develop exploration, processing and refining in CAR, keeping more value from minerals in the country. Fuel Prices: CAR petrol prices climbed to $1.957 per litre in October, up from $1.818 in September, raising costs for households and businesses.

Security Costs: Russia has urged the Central African Republic to replace Wagner with its state-run Africa Corps, which would require cash payments of billions of CFA francs. Bangui is reluctant, preferring Wagner’s services and mineral-based payments. Currency: Old CFA franc coins lost legal-tender status across CEMAC on November 1, including in CAR, but can be exchanged at banks, microfinance institutions or the BEAC through July 31, 2027. BEAC says 265 million new-series coins have entered circulation and aims to raise availability to 30 coins per person by 2030. Mineral Processing: CVMR says it has launched a 25-year CAR partnership focused on exploration, local refining and higher-value metal production, aiming to keep more value from minerals in the country. At the Russia-Africa summit, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra also called for investment in mineral processing, agriculture, energy and transport corridors.

Currency: Old CFA franc coins from the 1958, 1959, 1971, 1976 and 1985 series stopped being legal tender across CEMAC on November 1. Holders can exchange them at banks, microfinance institutions or the BEAC until July 31, 2027; the central bank will handle exchanges through October 31. Mining and Industry: CVMR says it has launched a 25-year CAR partnership covering mineral exploration, local processing and refining, with a goal of producing higher-value metals and components in the country. The programme was presented in Bangui in October; its planned industrial capacity is not yet in place. Russia Partnership: President Faustin-Archange Touadéra described Russia as a full partner in security, the economy and training. At the Moscow summit, he called for investment in agriculture, energy, mineral processing, transport links and technology, with more production and value retained locally. Russia-Africa trade reached $27 billion in 2025, though that figure is continental, not specific to CAR. Border Trade: CAR has stepped up daily health checks for travellers crossing from the DRC amid the Ebola outbreak. Trade and other economic activity continue along the Oubangui River, where the two countries share a porous border.

Russia Partnership: President Faustin-Archange Touadéra says CAR’s ties with Russia are based on partnership in security, the economy and training, with Bangui seeking support while setting its own priorities. At last week’s summit, he called for investment in agriculture, energy, mineral processing, transport links and technology transfer. Mineral Processing: CVMR has launched a 25-year partnership with CAR focused on exploration, local refining and higher-value metal production, aiming to keep more value from mineral resources in the country. Currency Update: Old CFA franc coins issued in 1958, 1959, 1971, 1976 and 1985 lost legal tender status on November 1 across CEMAC, including CAR. Holders can exchange them at banks, microfinance institutions or BEAC counters until July 31, 2027; BEAC alone will handle exchanges through October 31, 2027. Coins from 2006 and 2024 remain valid. Regional Trade: Touadéra also highlighted transport corridors to seaports as a priority, alongside local manufacturing and wider market access.

Russia Partnership: President Faustin-Archange Touadéra says CAR’s ties with Moscow span the economy, security and training, and should support the country’s independent priorities. At last week’s summit, he called for investment in local manufacturing, mineral processing, agriculture, energy and transport corridors. CFA Coins: Old coins issued between 1958 and 1985 stopped being legal tender across CEMAC on November 1, including in CAR. Holders can exchange them at banks, microfinance institutions or BEAC counters until July 31, 2027; BEAC will handle exchanges through October 31, 2027. Mineral Processing: CVMR says it has launched a 25-year partnership with the government to explore, process and refine minerals in CAR, aiming to keep more value in the country rather than exporting raw materials.

Russia-Africa Trade: At the Moscow summit, leaders called for investment that creates jobs and processes resources locally. Russia said bilateral trade reached $27 billion in 2025, with a $50 billion target. Mineral Processing: CVMR has launched a 25-year partnership with the Central African Republic to explore, process and refine minerals in-country, aiming to expand local industry and retain more value from exports. Regional Corridors: Cameroon’s Douala–Bangui route was highlighted as a key trade link; business groups say ports, roads, energy and border services must work together to cut costs and improve delivery times. Cross-Border Trade: CAR has tightened health checks on river crossings from the DRC amid the Ebola outbreak, while trade and livelihoods along the Oubangui continue.

Mineral Processing: CVMR says it has launched a 25-year partnership with the Central African Republic to explore minerals and develop local processing and refining, aiming to keep more value in the country rather than export raw materials. Russia Ties: At the Moscow summit, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra called for investment in mineral processing, agriculture, energy and transport links. The proposed 2027–29 action plan sets a framework, but commercial delivery remains to be seen. Trade Corridors: Cameroon’s business community urged investment in integrated ports, roads, energy and border services, highlighting the Douala–Bangui corridor as a route to regional markets. Cross-Border Trade: CAR has tightened health screening at crossings with the DRC amid the Ebola outbreak, even as river trade and livelihoods continue.

Mineral Processing: CVMR has launched a planned 25-year partnership with the Central African Republic to explore, process and refine minerals locally, aiming to shift exports beyond raw materials and build domestic production of high-value metals. Russia Trade and Investment: At the Moscow summit, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra called for investment in mineral processing, agriculture, energy, transport links and digital technology. CAR officials also toured a Moscow elevator factory, exploring industrial cooperation; the visit produced no announced deal. Climate Resilience: A new US$11.7 million regional project will support flood and drought monitoring and earlier warnings in the CAR and four Lake Chad Basin countries, with potential benefits for farmers, herders and fishers. Cross-Border Commerce: CAR has stepped up health screening for people arriving from the DRC, while trade and livelihoods along the Oubangui River continue despite Ebola concerns.

Industrial Partnerships: Central African Republic Economy Minister Marc Mandaba and Trade and Industry Minister Maxime Balalou toured a Moscow elevator factory during the Russia-Africa summit. President Faustin-Archange Touadéra called for investment in agriculture, energy, transport and mineral processing, with more production and jobs at home. Mining: Russian state-owned company Rosgeo says it has begun gold exploration in CAR, following geological mapping that identified promising areas. Cross-Border Trade: Bangui has tightened health checks on travelers crossing the Oubangui from the DRC amid its Ebola outbreak. Trade and livelihoods along the river continue, but the busy, porous border makes screening a challenge. Regional Markets: In Cameroon, more than 135 Central African refugees have received or are taking vocational and business training. Officials and UNHCR are exploring ways to organise producers and connect them with wider markets and e-commerce.

Russia-CAR Economic Ties: At the Moscow summit, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra urged Russia to support local manufacturing, mineral processing, agriculture, energy, transport links and technology transfer, saying the focus should now shift from security support to practical development projects. Russian President Vladimir Putin is due to meet Touadéra on October 30. Mining: Russian state geological company Rosgeo says it has begun gold exploration in CAR, following earlier mapping that identified promising areas. Border Commerce: CAR has stepped up health checks at crossings from the DRC amid the Ebola outbreak, while trade and livelihoods along the Oubangui River continue, including fishing and canoe transport. Climate Resilience: A five-year, US$11.7 million Lake Chad Basin project involving CAR aims to improve flood and drought monitoring and warnings, supporting communities and livelihoods across the region.