Project for the opening-up of regions in Central African Republic

The opening-up strategy will focus on the installation of infrastructure and equipment, especially intervening on roads through the installation of metal bridges provided by the French State.

1. Assessment and diagnosis on the feasibility of works to establish a list of priority bridges to be built or replaced, based on objective criteria (economic potential, contribution to rural development, mitigation of regional imbalances, social and environmental impact, ease of installation)

2. Implementation: construction and installation of bridges provided by the French State

3. Training sessions and capacity building of Central African partners for the maintenance of installed infrastructure

Central African authorities are closely involved in the conduct of the project:

• The steering committee, which includes the main ministries concerned by the project, has decision-making power

• The identification of priority areas for the installation of bridges is made in coordination with the Ministries of Economy, Planning and Cooperation (MEPC), Territory Administration, Decentralisation and Local Development (MATDDL), Public Works and Road Maintenance (MTPER), and the steering committee.

In addition, the project will work in synergy with international organisations on the ground as well as local stakeholders – especially Village Development Committees.

This project is funded by the European Union through the Békou Fund, which is the European Trust Fund for the Central African Republic. This fund has been designed to broaden the toolbox of the European aid system, in order to jointly develop an innovative method of responding to crises which allows both to mobilise different sources of funding within the EU and to collect contributions from both Member States and third country donors. Fitted with more than €220 million, the Békou Fund supports the Government and Central Africans, especially in access to essential services, economic recovery, agriculture and food security, reconciliation and women empowerment.

The French State contributes to this project through the free transfer of 300 meters of metal bridges to the Central African State (for a total value of €1.8 million). 

The project is implemented by Expertise France, the public agency in charge of designing and implementing international technical cooperation projects, which will provide support throughout project activities:

• Feasibility diagnosis

• Bridge preparation and conditioning

• Bridge conveyance and reception

• Construction site management support

• Training plan development and implementation

November 2018 – Launch of the project for the opening-up of regions in Central African Republic

The project was launched on the eve of the 60^th anniversary of Central African Republic's declaration of independence.

April-May 2019 – Installation of the first bridges in Lobaye

Between 25^th April and 5^th May 2019, two bridges were installed in the prefecture of Lobaye, southwest of the capital city.

April 2020 – Five bridges installed in the southeast of the country

Five metal bridges were installed in April 2020 in Mbomou, one of the sixteen prefectures of the Central African Republic. They contribute to link Mbomou to the rest of the country.