AGP Executive Report

Regional Digital Economy: Cameroon will host the headquarters of Central Africa’s telecom regulators, including CAR, as members adopt new rules and launch working groups to advance digital cooperation. Public Finance: CAR has bought back nearly $13 million in public securities on the BEAC market, a notable move in domestic debt management. Russia-Africa Summit: President Faustin-Archange Touadéra is attending the Moscow summit, where trade, investment, energy and payment systems are on the agenda. But Russia’s past trade pledges have fallen short: trade with Africa stands at $27.1 billion, with Russian exports far exceeding imports. Development Finance: The African Development Bank’s $4.23 million natural-capital project will include CAR, helping 13 countries bring the value of forests, water and other natural assets into economic planning. Household Costs: A new survey estimates that buying ten staple foods in CAR takes the equivalent of 30.1 days of work, underscoring the severe pressure on purchasing power.

Russia–Africa Summit: President Faustin-Archange Touadéra is in Moscow for the summit, where Russian officials say commercial contracts will be signed. He is scheduled for bilateral talks with President Vladimir Putin on Friday; no CAR-specific deals have been announced. Digital Cooperation: Central African telecom regulators have chosen Cameroon to host ARTAC’s headquarters and approved revised rules and working groups, aiming to strengthen regional coordination and harmonise digital regulation. Public Finance: The CAR has carried out a new buyback of nearly US$13 million in public securities on the BEAC market. Household Costs: A World Vision report estimates that buying ten staple foods in the CAR takes 30.1 days of work, highlighting the pressure food prices place on household budgets.

Regional Finance: The Central African Treasury is offering to buy back 7.5 billion CFA francs (about US$12.9 million) in public securities due in November and December, after an earlier attempt failed. Russia–Africa Business: President Faustin-Archange Touadéra is attending the Moscow summit, where Russia says commercial contracts will be signed; a bilateral meeting with him is scheduled for October 30. Household Costs: A survey found that basic food for 10 staples costs the average Central African the equivalent of 30.1 days’ work, underscoring the pressure on purchasing power. Resource Deals: Reporting on Wagner-linked forestry company Bois Rouge says its 186,596-hectare concession in Lobaye was granted in 2021 in exchange for the group’s services, spotlighting the business ties between security and natural resources. Air Links: Air France’s changing schedule lists Bangui among destinations dropped from its network, a potential setback for international connectivity.

Public Finance: The Central African Treasury has scheduled a CFA7.5 billion (about US$12.9 million) buyback of public securities due in November and December, seeking to manage near-term debt obligations after an earlier attempt failed. Russia Ties: President Faustin-Archange Touadéra is due to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow later this week. Russia says commercial contracts will be signed alongside the summit, though no details for the CAR have been announced. Resource Deals: Wagner-linked operations remain a major economic concern: reports say the group earns from security work and control of gold mines, while a separate investigation describes a forestry concession granted to a company linked to Wagner. Household Costs: A price survey estimates it takes 30.1 days of average income in the CAR to afford ten staple foods, underscoring the squeeze on purchasing power. Telecoms: Maroc Telecom reported 6.9% revenue growth among its Moov Africa subsidiaries in the third quarter, driven mainly by data use; the results point to continued expansion in the region’s telecom market.

Public Finance: The Central African Republic’s Treasury has scheduled a 7.5 billion CFA franc (about $12.9 million) buyback of securities due in November and December, five weeks after an earlier attempt on the BEAC market failed. Russia Ties: President Faustin-Archange Touadéra is heading to Moscow for the Russia-Africa summit, where officials say commercial contracts are expected; meanwhile, reports say Wagner-linked operations in CAR generate substantial revenue from mining and presidential security. Household Costs: A World Vision survey found that an average-income resident of CAR would need 30.1 days of work to afford a basket of ten staple foods, underscoring the pressure on purchasing power. Fuel Protests: Authorities have detained organisers of fuel protests, amid wider concerns about fuel costs and their impact on transport and businesses.

Russia-Africa Summit: President Faustin-Archange Touadéra is heading to Moscow for the October 29 summit, where Russia says commercial contracts will be signed; any CAR-specific deals remain unclear. Public Finance: The Central African Treasury plans to buy back 7.5 billion CFA francs (about $12.9 million) in public securities due in November and December, after an earlier attempt failed. Household Costs: A World Vision survey found that the average Central African needs 30.1 days of work to afford a basket of ten staple foods, underscoring the pressure on household budgets. Resource Businesses: An investigation alleges a forestry permit in Lobaye was granted to a company linked to Wagner in exchange for the group’s services, highlighting the role of natural resources in its reported business network. Local Livelihoods: Deforestation around Boali is lowering river levels and reducing fish catches, threatening income for fishers and sellers as local demand grows.

Russia-Africa Summit: President Faustin-Archange Touadéra is heading to Moscow for the October 29 summit, where commercial contracts are expected to be signed. Public Finance: The Central African Treasury has scheduled a buyback of 7.5 billion CFA francs (about US$12.9 million) in government securities due in November and December. Household Costs: A World Vision survey found that it takes an average of 30.1 days of work in the CAR to afford ten staple foods, underscoring the strain on household budgets. Natural Resources: Reporting on Wagner-linked businesses describes a model built around control of gold mines and forestry concessions; meanwhile, deforestation near Boali is reducing fish catches and threatening local livelihoods.

Public Finance: The Central African Treasury has scheduled a buyback of 7.5 billion CFA francs (about US$12.9 million) in public securities maturing in November and December, five weeks after an earlier attempt failed. Household Costs: A World Vision report estimates that the average person in CAR needs 30.1 days of work to afford ten staple foods, underscoring the pressure on family budgets. Wagner’s Business Footprint: Reports say Wagner-linked operations generate more than US$400 million annually, with control of gold mines and a forestry concession among the group’s commercial interests. Local Livelihoods: In Boali, deforestation is lowering river levels and reducing fish catches, squeezing incomes for fishers and market sellers.

Wagner’s Business: A Wall Street Journal investigation says Wagner’s Central African Republic operation generates more than $400 million a year, with the group controlling gold mines and providing security for the president. Public Finance: The Treasury has offered to buy back 7.5 billion CFA francs (about $12.9 million) in public securities maturing in November and December. Cost of Living: A World Vision survey found it takes an average of 30.1 days of work in the CAR to afford ten staple foods, underscoring the pressure on household budgets. Natural Resources: A forestry permit covering nearly 187,000 hectares in Lobaye was reportedly granted to Bois Rouge in exchange for Wagner’s services; separately, deforestation around Boali is reducing fish catches and threatening local livelihoods.

Public Finance: The Central African Treasury has scheduled a 7.5 billion CFA franc (about $12.9 million) buyback of government securities maturing in November and December, after an earlier market attempt failed. Household Costs: A World Vision survey estimates that buying ten staple foods in the Central African Republic takes 30.1 days of average work—the longest among countries assessed, highlighting the pressure on household budgets. Rural Livelihoods: On the Mbali River, deforestation for charcoal is lowering water levels and reducing fish catches, threatening income for fishermen and market sellers. Forestry: A report says a 186,596-hectare logging concession in Lobaye was granted to a company linked to Wagner in exchange for the group’s services, illustrating how natural resources have figured in security deals.

Cost of Living: A World Vision price survey found that buying ten staple foods in the Central African Republic takes the equivalent of 30.1 average workdays, among the highest burdens measured. Public Finance: The Treasury has scheduled a 7.5 billion CFA-franc (about $12.9 million) buyback of public securities maturing in November and December, after an earlier market attempt failed. Natural Resources: Fishermen around Boali say deforestation is shrinking catches in the Mbali River, threatening livelihoods as demand for fish grows. Forestry Deals: An investigation says a 186,596-hectare forest concession was granted to a Wagner-linked company in exchange for services; the case raises questions about who captures value from the country’s natural assets. Water and Trade: At the Luanda Biennial, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi highlighted the shared Ubangi Basin, whose waters offer potential for power, farming, transport and fishing — and require cooperation among riparian countries, including the CAR.

Public Finance: The Central African Treasury has scheduled a 7.5 billion CFA franc (about $12.9 million) buyback of public securities due in November and December, following an earlier failed attempt on the BEAC market. Natural Resources: A forestry permit covering 186,596 hectares in Lobaye was granted to Bois Rouge in 2021; reporting says the company had not logged before receiving it and links the concession to services provided by Wagner, raising questions about how resource wealth is managed. Rural Livelihoods: Fishermen and market sellers around Boali say deforestation is lowering river levels and shrinking catches, threatening an important source of local income and food.

Public Finance: The Treasury has scheduled a 7.5 billion CFA franc (about $12.9 million) buyback of government securities due in November and December, five weeks after an earlier market attempt failed. Investment: Indonesian firm PT Asindo Tech agreed to invest $10 million in a tapioca and biogas facility in the Central African Republic, among deals announced at a regional trade expo. Fuel Costs: Higher pump prices have raised transport and food costs; authorities are keeping five protest organisers in custody, accusing them of links to opposition parties. Natural Resources: An investigation says a forestry permit covering nearly 187,000 hectares was granted to a company linked to Wagner as the group helped government forces. Local Livelihoods: Deforestation around Boali is lowering water levels and reducing fish stocks in the Mbali River, squeezing incomes for fishers and sellers.

River Livelihoods: Deforestation around Boali is lowering water levels and reducing fish stocks in the Mbali River, squeezing fishermen and market sellers as demand rises. Fuel and Prices: After fuel price increases pushed up transport and food costs, five organisers of a Bangui protest remain detained; authorities accuse them of links to opposition parties. Investment: An Indonesian firm agreed to develop a proposed US$10 million tapioca and biogas facility in the Central African Republic, part of US$60 million in potential deals with Central African countries. Mining and Security: Reports say Pavel Prigozhin retains influence over Wagner-linked operations in CAR, including gold interests, alongside about 500 personnel. The group’s business network is estimated to generate more than US$400 million a year, though reported activities include unproven allegations of illicit trade. Cost of Living: A recent comparison found that buying a basic grocery basket in CAR can cost the equivalent of a month’s wages, underlining the strain on household budgets.

Security and Stability: At the UN, the United States urged CAR to speed up security reforms while warning that gains remain fragile, particularly near the borders. A smooth handover from peacekeepers will matter for businesses operating amid ongoing insecurity. Investment: Indonesian firm PT Asindo Tech plans a US$10 million tapioca and biogas facility in CAR. The project was among potential deals worth US$60 million with Cameroon and other Central African countries at Trade Expo Indonesia. Fuel Costs: Higher pump prices have raised transport and food costs, adding pressure on households and businesses. Authorities are holding five organisers of an October 12 protest against the increase. Gold and Accountability: The Wall Street Journal reports that Wagner-linked operations in CAR remain tied to gold mining and that the network’s annual legal and illicit turnover is estimated above US$400 million. Separate reporting says gold shipments have recently gone to Belarus, raising questions over oversight and how much resource revenue reaches public coffers.

Security and Trade: The UN has urged the Security Council to maintain MINUSCA’s strength as Sudan’s war fuels renewed violence near CAR’s eastern border. The warning highlights risks to stability and cross-border commerce. Fuel Costs: Higher pump prices have pushed up transport and food costs, prompting a shutdown protest in Bangui. Authorities are keeping five organisers in custody, alleging links to opposition parties. Investment: Indonesia reported US$60 million in potential deals with Cameroon and other Central African countries at its trade expo, including a proposed US$10 million tapioca and biogas facility in CAR. Gold and Security: The Wall Street Journal estimates businesses linked to Wagner heir Pavel Prigozhin generate more than US$400 million a year across legal and illicit activities. It reports that gold from CAR has recently been sent to Belarus, raising questions about transparency and how much mining wealth reaches public coffers.