Central African Republic: Third and Fourth Review Under the Extended Credit Facility, Requests for a Waiver of Nonobservance of Performance Criteria, and Financing Assurance Review

This paper presents Central African Republic’s (CAR) Third and Fourth Reviews under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement, Requests for Waivers of Nonobservance of Performance Criteria, and Financing Assurances Review. Economic growth is expected to accelerate to 3 percent in 2025, up from 1.9 percent in 2024, while inflation is projected to decline gradually. The ECF arrangement is part of coordinated efforts by international financial institutions to support the people of CAR. It will continue to help the country meet the protracted balance of payments need and sustain spending on basic public services, including in the health and education sectors. Program implementation has helped anchor structural reforms and financing. Economic activity is projected to expand by 3 percent in 2025, up from 1.9 percent in 2024, driven by higher energy use, mining recovery, infrastructure projects, and improved security. The outlook depends on faster fuel market and governance reforms, and increased grant and concessional financing. Program performance was mixed, while downside risks remain substantial.