The Central African Republic (CAR) faces growing threats from climate change and escalating poverty, with projections warning that urban poverty could rise by 3% and rural poverty by 6% by 2050 if immediate action is not taken. A new World Bank report highlights the urgent need for economic reforms and climate resilience strategies to avert further setbacks to the country’s development.
The Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) stresses the importance of diversifying CAR’s economy, which remains heavily reliant on agriculture and forestry—sectors that are particularly vulnerable to climate-related shocks. Without reforms, these sectors could lead to GDP losses of up to 8% by 2050, exacerbating existing poverty and deepening economic instability.
Guido Rurangwa, the World Bank Resident Representative in CAR, pointed to the country’s potential to mitigate the impacts of climate change through targeted reforms. “The Central African Republic has a critical opportunity to reduce climate change-related losses by focusing on human capital development, supporting displaced populations, and revitalizing its undiversified local economies,” he said. “This report calls for immediate and coordinated action to scale up the investments necessary for building resilience and achieving CAR’s development goals.”
The report outlines four key priorities for the CAR government to address climate vulnerability, reduce poverty, and foster sustainable growth:
- Strengthening Critical Infrastructure Resilience: The report calls for enhancing infrastructure to withstand natural disasters, including urban drainage systems, roads, bridges, and public buildings. These improvements, funded through public-private partnerships and international aid, are essential for stabilizing both urban and rural communities, ensuring the continuity of essential services, and reducing disruption during climate events.
- Renewable Energy and Rural Electrification: The World Bank stresses the importance of promoting renewable energy initiatives, particularly solar and wind power, to electrify rural areas. Leveraging international green energy funds and private investment, the CAR can reduce energy poverty and stimulate economic growth, particularly in underserved regions.
- Climate Change Education and Awareness: Integrating climate change resilience into national curricula and public media campaigns is vital to raising awareness and equipping citizens with the skills necessary to adapt to environmental challenges. The report suggests a greater focus on building a climate-conscious society, especially among the youth, to foster long-term sustainability.
- Sustainable Natural Resource Management: The report calls for reforms in managing vital natural resources such as water, land, and forests. This approach is necessary to safeguard food security, promote climate-smart agriculture, and address the nation’s vulnerability to fluctuating rainfall patterns. Sustainable management will also help ensure fair distribution of resources and long-term environmental health.
Nabil Chaherli, the report’s lead author, emphasized the need for comprehensive structural reforms to manage the complex intersections between climate change, political instability, and development. “To reduce the adverse effects of these intersecting crises, CAR must undergo profound structural transformation supported by sound economic policy reforms and increased public and private investment,” Chaherli noted.
The success of these strategies, according to the report, depends on a unified approach involving the government, the private sector, civil society, and international partners. Only through coordinated effort can CAR hope to build a resilient, sustainable future that addresses both the challenges of climate change and the persistent threat of poverty.