Famously known as the “Heart of the continent,” the Central African Republic has a truly unique geographical position. Standing at the regional crossroads, it borders six countries and boasts an area almost equal to that of the US state of Texas.
CAR’s geographical advantage creates enormous opportunities for trade. It facilitates participation in regional agreements and significantly increases the country’s export potential. The nation is part of wider economic communities of Central African States – CEMAC and ECCAS, which share a goal of promoting trade and creating a genuine common market in the region. At the continental level, CAR’s membership of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opens up access to a single market of 1.3 billion people.
“The very heart of the AfCFTA lies in the cities of the Central African Republic […] Work is currently underway within the frameworks of the African Union, CEMAC and ECCAS. So that our participation in the issue of the dynamics of the AfCFTA can enable us to be an important and significant player.” – Richard Filakota, Minister of Economy, Planning and International Cooperation
To ensure efficient intracontinental connections, CAR is investing in its strategic infrastructure. The highway network is actively expanding, with roads extending even to the most remote parts of the country. The transport sector is also advancing, with road transport recording a notable growth of 22.7% in 2025.
“Whether in river transport or road transport, the indicators are positive. Even air transport is growing, whether in terms of the number of aircraft movements (+8.3%), passenger traffic (+7.5%) or air freight, which has seen a marked increase of 14.7%. All these factors point to an economy on the move, driven by key sectors that are regaining strength and stability.” – Hervé Ndoba, Minister of Finance
Despite the rapid pace of modernization, CAR remains committed to inclusiveness. Guided by its famous motto “Zo Kwe Zo” (“All People are People”), the country firmly places equality, unity and human-centered development at the core of its economic agenda. To this end, the growing infrastructure is being strategically leveraged not only to improve connectivity but also to help CAR move beyond its traditional role as a transit country and unlock its full productive potential. This vision is reflected in the government’s focus on local production and processing, including the creation of a 597‑hectare Special Economic Zone along the Boali road – a strategic business hub designed to attract international investment and open new opportunities for Central African producers.
By combining infrastructure development with social empowerment, CAR is laying the foundations for balanced, sustainable growth – recognizing that progress is most resilient when it is shared by all.