In the framework of strengthening economic cooperation between the Central African Republic (CAR) and France, the latter has granted a loan of 16.4 billion CFA francs (around 29 million USD) to the Central African government to help consolidate its financial stability policy. The announcement was made to the Central African authorities by the financial advisor for Africa at the French Treasury Directorate General, Yves Charpentier, during his recent visit to Bangui.
Following a working session with the Central African Minister of Finance and Budget, Hervé Ndoba, the French envoy indicated that “this budget loan, also called budget support, is designed to support the CAR in its development initiatives. The terms of this concessional loan are infinitely more advantageous than those of the financial market. A substantial portion of this funding is allocated to projects that will directly benefit the citizens.”
On the Central African side, Hervé Ndoba explains that “the French support aims at several objectives: meeting the financing needs of the State for the 2025 fiscal year, reducing a heavy domestic debt, and financing vital health expenses, in a context where several international donors have disengaged.” The loan is expected to be disbursed in two installments, between September and December 2025.
It is worth noting that this loan agreement comes in the context of a return to normalcy in cooperation between France and the CAR after a period of diplomatic tension amid geopolitical rivalries, particularly with Russia. Prior to this loan, it is remembered that in 2024, after a three-year freeze, France had already ordered the release by the French Development Agency (AFD) of 6.5 billion CFA francs (nearly 11.5 million USD) for development aid.
