AGP Executive Report

Cost of Living: A World Vision report says Central Africans need about 30 days’ work to afford a basic basket of 10 foods, underscoring the squeeze on household budgets. A recent fuel price increase has added pressure, prompting unions and civil society groups to demand a reversal over fears of higher transport and food costs. Rural Economy: WFP school meals reach more than 250,000 children in 335 CAR schools, while programmes that buy from local farmers help support rural incomes and boost enrolment. Digital Infrastructure: CAR is reviving plans for a fibre-optic link to the DRC, aiming to add a third international route and improve connectivity for the landlocked country. Regional Finance: CEMAC plans to withdraw five older coin series from November 1, a change with potential implications for cash users and businesses across the bloc. Energy and Climate Finance: Russia says it will discuss fuel and energy agreements with CAR and other African partners at a forum later this month. CAR has also joined the V20 group of climate-vulnerable economies, which is calling for longer-term concessional finance for resilience and development.

Cost of Living: A World Vision report says workers in the Central African Republic need about 30 days’ wages to afford a basic basket of 10 foods. The burden is compounded by an Oct. 1 fuel-price rise, which unions say will push up transport and food costs; gasoline rose to 1,150 CFA francs per litre and diesel to 1,400. Digital Infrastructure: CAR is reviving plans for a fibre-optic link to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, potentially giving the landlocked country a third route to international internet cables. Rural Economy: School meals reach more than 250,000 children in 335 schools and are also creating demand for local farmers’ produce. Finance: CAR has joined the V20 group of climate-vulnerable economies, whose ministers are calling for longer-term concessional funding to support resilience and development. Energy Partnerships: Russia says it will discuss implementing fuel and energy agreements with CAR and other African partners at its Moscow forum later this month.

Energy Deals: Russia says it will follow up on specific energy-sector projects with the Central African Republic at its October 28–29 Africa forum. Climate Finance: CAR has joined the V20 group of climate-vulnerable economies, which is seeking longer-term concessional funding for resilience and development. Digital Infrastructure: Bangui is reviving plans for a fibre-optic link to the DRC, which could give the landlocked country a third international route to internet cables. Household Costs: A new food-affordability report estimates that a worker in CAR needs about 30 days’ wages to buy a basic basket of 10 items; a recent fuel price increase has also drawn protests over pressure on transport and food costs. Local Markets: School meal programmes reach more than 250,000 children and support local farmers, while Indonesia’s trade expo initiative aims to bring Central African businesses, including CAR delegates, into deals targeted at $19.5 million. Regional Trade: A planned upgrade to Cameroon’s Douala–Bafoussam corridor could ease freight transit for CAR-bound cargo. Currency: CEMAC plans to withdraw five older coin series from November 1.

Climate Finance: The Central African Republic has joined the V20 group of climate-vulnerable economies, whose ministers are calling for longer-term concessional financing and investment in resilience. Energy Deals: Russia says it will discuss implementing fuel and energy agreements with CAR at its October 28–29 Africa forum; officials say project plans have been drawn up, but details were not announced. Living Costs: A fuel-price increase introduced October 1 has drawn protests, with gasoline rising to 1,150 CFA francs per litre and diesel to 1,400. Unions and civil society groups warn the hikes will push up transport and food costs. Food and Farming: A World Vision report says a worker in CAR needs about 30 days’ wages to afford a basic food basket. WFP school meals reach more than 250,000 children and also support local farmers. Digital Infrastructure: CAR has revived talks with the Democratic Republic of the Congo on a third fibre-optic route, which could improve international connectivity for the landlocked country.

Food Affordability: A World Vision report says Central African workers need about 30 days’ wages to buy a basic basket of 10 food items, underscoring the strain on household budgets. School Feeding: WFP meals reach more than 250,000 pupils in 335 CAR schools, while local farmers supply some ingredients — linking child nutrition and education with rural incomes. Digital Infrastructure: CAR and the DRC are reviving plans for a cross-border fibre link that would give the landlocked country a third international route to internet cables. Fuel Costs: A recent price rise lifted pump prices to 1,150 CFA francs per litre for gasoline and 1,400 for diesel; unions and civil society groups warn the increase will push up transport and food costs. CEMAC Currency: Five older CFA franc coin series lose legal-tender status on November 1. Holders can exchange them through October 31, 2027, with bank exchanges ending July 31 next year.

Food Costs: A basic basket of 10 groceries costs a Central African worker about 30 days’ wages, according to World Vision’s new affordability report, underscoring the pressure on household budgets. Rural Economy: A WFP school-feeding programme now serves more than 250,000 children at 335 schools, supporting attendance while creating demand for food from local farmers. Fuel and Connectivity: A fuel-price increase has drawn calls for reversal over its impact on transport and food costs; separately, CAR is reviving plans for a fibre-optic link to the DRC to add a third international internet route. Trade and Payments: From November 1, older CFA franc coin series will no longer be legal tender across CEMAC, with exchanges available until October 2027. A planned upgrade to Cameroon’s Douala–Bafoussam corridor could also ease transit for CAR cargo moving through the port of Douala.

Digital Connectivity: The Central African Republic is reviving plans for a fibre-optic link with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which could give the landlocked country a third international route to subsea cables and strengthen its digital infrastructure. Transport Links: Cameroon has secured a $238 million Islamic Development Bank loan to upgrade the Douala–Bafoussam corridor, a key route for CAR cargo moving through the Port of Douala. The project includes highway and feeder-road works, plus markets and other local infrastructure. Cost of Living: Unions and civil society groups are demanding a reversal of CAR’s October fuel price hike, warning that higher transport costs will also push up food prices. Regional Currency: Five older CEMAC coin series lose legal tender status on November 1. People in CAR and five other member countries can exchange them through October 31, 2027. Trade Prospects: Indonesia’s embassy in Yaoundé is targeting $19.5 million in deals at Trade Expo Indonesia 2026, with 81 delegates from Cameroon and neighboring countries, including CAR. Fertilizer agreements are among the expected outcomes.

Digital Infrastructure: The Central African Republic is reviving plans for a fibre-optic link to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which would give the landlocked country a third international route to subsea cables. Regional Trade: Indonesia’s embassy in Yaoundé is targeting at least US$19.5 million in deals at Trade Expo Indonesia 2026, with 81 business delegates from Cameroon and neighbouring countries, including the CAR’s diplomatic region; fertilizer partnerships are among the expected agreements. Transport: Cameroon secured a US$238 million Islamic Development Bank loan to improve the Douala–Bafoussam corridor. Better roads could ease the movement of CAR cargo through Douala, the country’s main trade gateway. Living Costs: Unions and civil society groups are challenging CAR’s October 1 fuel price increases, warning they will raise transport and food costs. Currency: Five older Central African CFA franc coin series will cease to be legal tender on November 1. Holders can exchange them through October 2027.

Fuel Costs: A price rise introduced on Oct. 1 has pushed gasoline to 1,150 CFA francs a litre and diesel to 1,400, drawing protests from unions and civil society groups over the knock-on effects on transport and food prices. CEMAC Currency: Five older CFA franc coin series lose legal tender status on Nov. 1. People can exchange them through Oct. 31, 2027, with banks and microfinance institutions handling exchanges until July. Trade Links: Royal Airways has launched a Douala–Bangui service to strengthen regional connections. Cameroon has also opened a tender to rebuild 167 kilometres of the Yaoundé–Edéa road, part of a key freight route linking Douala with CAR. Mining Prospects: Russia and CAR agreed on a plan for geological mapping, regulatory reforms and mining-sector training, but announced no new extraction contracts. Poverty: A UN poverty report lists CAR among five countries where multidimensional poverty worsened in the latest available assessments.

Fuel Costs: A fuel-price increase introduced Oct. 1 has drawn protests from unions and civil society, which warn higher pump prices will push up transport and food costs. Gasoline for private motorists rose to 1,150 CFA francs per litre and diesel to 1,400 francs. Currency Change: Five older CFA-franc coin series will cease to be legal tender across CEMAC on Nov. 1. Holders can exchange them through banks and microfinance institutions until July 31, 2027, then only at BEAC branches through Oct. 31. Regional Trade: Chadian carrier Royal Airways has launched a Douala–Bangui service, adding passenger and cargo links between Cameroon and the CAR. Mining Investment: Russia and the CAR agreed on more than 30 steps to expand geological surveys and prepare mineral-rich areas for possible investment. The plan includes mapping, regulatory reforms and training, but announces no new mining contracts or production targets.

CEMAC Currency: Five older CFA-franc coin series lose legal-tender status on November 1. Holders can exchange them through October 31, 2027, with banks and microfinance institutions accepting coins until July 31, after which exchanges move to BEAC branches. Poverty: The 2026 UNDP poverty index lists the Central African Republic among five countries where multidimensional poverty worsened in the latest comparable surveys. Trade Corridor: Cameroon has cleared the way to sign a $407 million World Bank loan for the Douala–Bangui corridor, which carries more than 80% of CAR’s foreign trade. Planned upgrades include road rehabilitation and modern weigh stations. Regional Links: Chadian carrier Royal Airways has launched a Douala–Bangui service, adding air connections intended to support trade between Cameroon, Chad and CAR. Mineral Investment: Russia and CAR agreed on a 30-point plan for geological mapping, regulatory reforms and mining-sector training. The deal prepares potential projects but does not establish new mining contracts or production targets.

Regional Trade Corridor: Cameroon has cleared a $407 million World Bank loan for the Douala–Bangui corridor, which carries more than 80% of the Central African Republic’s foreign trade. The wider programme also allocates $90 million to CAR, including road rehabilitation. Air Links: Chad’s Royal Airways has launched a Douala–Bangui route, adding travel options intended to support trade among Cameroon, Chad and CAR. Currency Change: Five older CEMAC coin series lose legal-tender status on November 1. Holders will have a one-year exchange period, though locations and procedures are still to be announced. Mining Investment: CAR and Russia agreed on a 30-point plan for geological surveys, regulatory reforms and mining-sector training. It prepares for possible future investment but does not announce new extraction contracts. Border Commerce: A Cameroon-led AfCFTA project will support small traders, especially women and young people, along the Douala–Bangui corridor.

Trade Corridor: Cameroon has opened bids to rebuild 167 km of the Yaoundé–Edéa road, part of the Douala–Bangui route that carries more than 80% of CAR’s foreign trade. A World Bank programme also allocates $90 million to CAR, including rehabilitation of the Baoro–Bossemptélé section. Currency: Five older CEMAC coin series lose legal-tender status on November 1; holders will have a one-year exchange period, though arrangements are still pending. Regional Links: Chad’s Royal Airways has launched a Douala–Bangui service, adding a new air connection intended to support trade. Minerals: CAR and Russia agreed on more than 30 measures for geological mapping, regulatory reforms and mining skills development, laying groundwork for possible investment but announcing no extraction contracts. Finance: CEMAC’s average effective lending rate fell to 10.94% in the second quarter, while CAR’s remained higher at 14.36%. Border Commerce: A new AfDB-backed Cameroon project aims to ease cross-border trade along the Douala–Bangui corridor, with support for small traders, including women and young people.

CEMAC Currency: Five older CFA franc coin series will lose legal-tender status on November 1. Holders will have a year to exchange them, though BEAC has yet to announce where. Trade Links: Cameroon has opened bids to rebuild 167 km of the Yaoundé–Edéa road, part of the Douala–Bangui corridor that carries more than 80% of the CAR’s foreign trade. Air Connectivity: Chad’s Royal Airways has launched Douala–Bangui flights, adding a route intended to support regional commerce. Mining: Russia and the CAR agreed on more than 30 measures to map mineral resources, prepare potential investment sites and train local specialists; no new extraction contracts were announced. Corridor Funding: Cameroon has authorization to sign a $407 million World Bank loan for the Douala–Bangui corridor, while the broader programme allocates $90 million to the CAR. Credit Costs: CEMAC’s average lending rate fell to 10.94% in the second quarter, but the CAR’s rate remained higher at 14.36%.

Regional Currency: Five older CFA franc coin series will lose legal-tender status across CEMAC, including the Central African Republic, on November 1. BEAC says holders will have a year to exchange them, though arrangements are still pending. Trade Corridor: Cameroon has cleared a $407 million World Bank loan for the Douala–Bangui corridor, which carries more than 80% of CAR’s foreign trade. Planned upgrades include road repairs, weigh stations and safety measures. Air Links: Chad’s Royal Airways has launched a Douala–Bangui route, adding passenger and trade connections between the three countries. Mining: CAR and Russia agreed on a 30-point plan for geological mapping, regulatory reforms and training to prepare mineral-rich areas for investment; it does not include new extraction contracts. Business Finance: CEMAC lending rates fell to 10.94% on average in the second quarter, but CAR borrowers still faced an effective rate of 14.36%.

Currency Change: Five older CFA-franc coin series lose legal-tender status across CEMAC, including the Central African Republic, on November 1. Holders will have a one-year exchange period, though the details are still pending. Regional Trade: Royal Airways has launched a Douala–Bangui route, adding air links intended to support commerce between Cameroon, Chad and CAR. Mining Investment: Russia and CAR agreed on a 30-measure plan for geological surveys, regulatory changes and skills training, laying groundwork for possible mining investment but announcing no new extraction contracts. Trade Corridor: Cameroon cleared a US$407 million World Bank loan for the Douala–Bangui corridor, which carries more than 80% of CAR’s foreign trade; planned upgrades include road works in both countries. Business Finance: CEMAC lending rates eased to 10.94% in the second quarter, but CAR’s effective rate remained higher at 14.36%.