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Country profile · compared with Africa

Central African Republic

CAR is home to 5.5m people (2025) and has an economy of $3.1bn (2025), the 14th largest in Africa. Output per person of $556 is below the regional median of $2,056. The economy grew 4.5% in 2025, and the IMF expects 2.7% in 2026. Inflation was 1.0% in 2025, below the regional median of 3.5%. 18.2% of people have electricity (2024).

Where CAR stands out

  • Renewables share of electricityMatters for exporters facing carbon border taxes, for firms with net-zero targets and for green finance eligibility.Highest of 17 in Africa. Select for the data card.
    Highest of 17 in Africa
  • Consumer price inflationHigh inflation erodes returns in local currency, raises borrowing costs and usually comes with currency weakness.2nd lowest of 17 in Africa. Select for the data card.
    2nd lowest of 17 in Africa
  • Manufacturing, value addedManufacturing creates formal jobs and export diversification.2nd highest of 17 in Africa. Select for the data card.
    2nd highest of 17 in Africa

What to watch

  • GDP per personA rough guide to average purchasing power, useful for pricing and for judging whether a market can support premium products.Lowest of 17 in Africa. Select for the data card.
    Lowest of 17 in Africa
  • Working-age populationA rising working-age share can lift growth and savings if jobs keep pace.Lowest of 17 in Africa. Select for the data card.
    Lowest of 17 in Africa
  • Internet usersThe addressable market for e-commerce, digital payments, online services and digital advertising.Lowest of 17 in Africa. Select for the data card.
    Lowest of 17 in Africa

CAR scores best on stability and weakest on governance

Scores from 0 to 100 by rank within Africa, against the Africa median. 100 means best in the region on that pillar.

CARAfrica median
Market sizeGrowthStabilityInfrastructureDigital,financeGovernanceUnmetdemand213876136561
Source: Investor Lens method·dotzedw Insights Centre

The IMF expects CAR to grow 2.7% in 2026

Real GDP growth, per cent a year. Open bars are IMF forecasts.

ActualIMF forecast
0.0%1.0%2.0%3.0%4.0%5.0%4.5%20252.7%20263.3%20273.5%2028

Ten years of history are free with a Reader account.

Source: IMF·dotzedw Insights Centre

Farming employs 66% of workers but produces 28% of output

Share of jobs in each broad sector against its share of GDP, latest year. A sector with far more jobs than output has low productivity and room to grow.

Share of jobsShare of GDP
0%20%40%60%80%Agriculture66%28%38 pts apartIndustry13%21%8 pts apartServices21%41%21 pts apart
Source: World Bank, ILO·dotzedw Insights Centre

Key figures

The bar under each figure places it among the 54 countries of Africa, lowest on the left. Hover for context; select for the data card.

Infrastructure in CAR

Power stations sized by capacity, power lines by voltage, ports, airports and mines. Zoom in for streets and buildings; click any symbol for details. The Atlas has every layer.

Loading the map…
Large dams
Dam (area shows reservoir size)
Global Dam Watch v1.0
Ports
Port
Natural Earth
Airports
Airport
Natural Earth
Source: OpenStreetMap and the other sources named in the key·dotzedw Insights Centre

How CAR generates electricity

Share of electricity generation by source, latest year.

CoalGasOilWindNuclearBioenergy and otherHydroSolar

No electricity data for Central African Republic.

The history of the power mix is part of the Individual plan

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Source: Ember, Energy Institute· Get the data (Professional)·dotzedw Insights Centre

Election calendar

All elections

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Deals and projects

Every deal in CAR

No deals in CAR among the latest headlines.

Individual Every deal record with its parties, value, stage and sources.

Sources and method