The Central African Republic (CAR) and the African Development Bank Group have launched the second phase of the Support Programme for Reconstruction of Grassroots Communities (PARCB-2), a major initiative aimed at promoting social cohesion, economic revival, and improved living conditions in the country. The programme was officially inaugurated on October 22, 2025, with the symbolic laying of a foundation stone for a teaching building at the Faculty of Economics and Management of the University of Bangui by CAR President Faustin Archange Touadéra.
The PARCB-2 programme, valued at $113 million, is a collaborative effort between the CAR government and the African Development Bank Group to invest in human capital and sustainable reconstruction. According to Boye Kissagne, Country Programme Manager for the African Development Bank Group, the Bank intends to leverage the country’s young population to drive growth and development. The programme will focus on building institutional capacity, particularly in the agriculture and livestock sector, as well as in crafts and the mining industry.
The initiative aims to provide employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, with a special emphasis on vocational training for approximately 5,000 unemployed young people aged 15 to 25. The programme will also benefit around 800,000 people living in the target regions, with 51% of beneficiaries being women. Additionally, an $8 million climate finance envelope will be dedicated to strengthening community resilience and adaptation to climate change.
The launch of PARCB-2 reaffirms the African Development Bank’s commitment to supporting the Central African Republic’s path to stability, resilience, and inclusive development. The programme is expected to have a positive impact on the country’s economic and social landscape, with a focus on promoting sustainable growth and improving living conditions for all Central Africans. With its emphasis on human capital development, institutional capacity building, and climate resilience, PARCB-2 is poised to play a significant role in the country’s reconstruction efforts.