Central African Republic Public Finance Review - Summary Report - Enhancing transparency, sustainability, and effectiveness of the public sector - A Summary for Policy Makers

Jul 19, 2026

Central African Republic Public Finance Review presents a policy-focused roadmap for strengthening public financial management during a narrow reform window after the 2020–21 elections. It highlights progress such as SIM_BA digitalization and steps toward a Treasury Single Account, alongside persistent gaps: revenue mobilization below required thresholds, an unsustainable wage bill, and low education and health spending. The report also targets underexploited forestry and mining revenues, stressing reform sequencing, cash and debt oversight, and improved budget transparency to expand fiscal space for social and productive investment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages56

Reading Time2 h 21 min

AccessFree to download

Foreword

Main Takeaways

Acknowledgements

Methodological Clarifications

Currency Equivalents

Acronyms and Abbreviations

Current Situation

Context

Overview of Fiscal Challenges

Expenditure

Revenue

Maximizing Resources for Sustainability

Increasing Domestic Revenue Mobilization

Cash and Debt Management

ODA Effectiveness

Enhancing Effectiveness: Building Capacity and Reducing Inefficiency

Revenue Authorities

Public Investment

Human Development Sectors

HRM Challenges

Creating Transparency through Sound Financial Management

Financial Management and Transparency

Sequencing and Prioritizing Reform

Recommendations

Foundational Reforms

Advanced Reforms

Partner Reforms

Appendix: Policy Matrix

Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Pub lic Disclosure Authorized Central African Republic Public Finance Review Summary Report Enhancing the Transparency, Sustainability, and Effectiveness of the Public Sector: A Summary for PolicyMakers Central African Republic Public Finance Review Summary Report Enhancing the Transparency, Sustainability, and Effectiveness of the Public Sector: A Summary for PolicyMakers © 2025 The World Bank 1818 H Street NW, Washington D.C. 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000; [Internet:](Internet: www.worldbank.org)[ ](Internet: www.worldbank.org)[www.worldbank.org](Internet: www.worldbank.org) [Some rights reserved.](Some rights reserved.) This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of the Executive Directors of The World Bank or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Rights and Permissions The material in this work is subject to copyright. Because The World Bank encourages dissemination of its knowledge, this work may be reproduced, in whole or in part, for noncommercial purposes as long as full attribution to this work is given. Attribution—Please cite the work as follows: “Central African Republic Public Finance Review: Enhance transparency, sustainability, and effectiveness of the public sector Volume 1 – A Summary for Policy Makers. World Bank, Washington, D.C.” All queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to World Bank Publications, The World Bank Group, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20433, USA; fax: 202-522-2625; [e-mail:](e-mail: pubrights@worldbank.org)[ ](e-mail: pubrights@worldbank.org)[pubrights@worldbank.org](e-mail: pubrights@worldbank.org). CONTENTS | Foreword | 5 | | --- | --- | | Main Takeaways | 6 | | Acknowledgements | 11 | | Methodological Clarifications | 12 | | Currency Equivalents | 13 | | Acronyms and Abbreviations | 14 | | Current Situation | 15 | | Context | 16 | | Overview of Fiscal Challenges | 19 | | Expenditure | 21 | | Revenue | 23 | | Maximizing Resources for Sustainability | 27 | | Increasing Domestic Revenue Mobilization | 28 | | Cash and Debt Management | 28 | | ODA Effectiveness | 30 | | Enhancing Effectiveness: Building Capacity and Reducing Inefficiency | 31 | | Revenue Authorities | 32 | | Public Investment | 32 | | Human Development Sectors | 33 | | HRM Challenges | 34 | | Creating Transparency through Sound Financial Management | 35 | | --- | --- | | Financial Management and Transparency | 36 | | Sequencing and Prioritizing Reform | 38 | | Recommendations | 40 | | Foundational Reforms | 41 | | Advanced Reforms | 41 | | Partner Reforms | 42 | | References | 43 | | Appendix: Policy Matrix | 44 | | I-First Generation/Foundational Reforms | 45 | | II-Second Generation/Advanced Reforms | 47 | | III-Reforms for Development Partners | 50 | Executive Summary FOREWORD The Central African Republic (CAR) stands at a pivotal moment in its development trajectory. Following the 2020-21 general elections, notable security improvements have created a narrow but crucial window of opportunity to implement structural reforms in public financial management. This progress, while encouraging, must be built upon with urgency and strategic focus to address persistent development challenges. The Government of CAR has demonstrated its commitment to reform by internalizing the 2011 Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) directives on public finance reforms and developing a public financial

FAQs

What reform opportunity does the report identify for the Central African Republic?

The report notes a narrow but crucial window created after the 2020–21 general elections, supported by security improvements, to implement structural reforms in public financial management.

Which fiscal weaknesses are highlighted as not yet resolved?

Domestic revenue mobilization remains well below the 15% threshold needed for sustainable development. The wage bill is described as unsustainable, while education and health spending levels are far too low, and natural resource sectors generate less revenue than their potential.

How does the review propose improving transparency, sustainability, and effectiveness?

It recommends sequencing reforms from foundational to advanced, strengthening domestic resource mobilization, improving cash and debt management, and enhancing budget transparency, while also reducing inefficiency and building administrative capacity for more effective spending.

Jul 19, 2026

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