Traditionally, the Central African Republic (CAR) is highly favorable to international trade. International trade represented 45% of the country's GDP in 2021 (World Bank). However, the country's protectionist policies limited its openness and customs duties are relatively high. In addition, certain agricultural products benefit from higher tariff protections. Despite easy access to its internal market, the CAR does not grant preferential tariffs to other countries. CAR is a member of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). The country mainly exports gold (45.25% of total exports), diamonds (19.88%), vehicles (12.64%), wood (12.35%) and machinery (3.4%). CAR's main imports comprise electrical equipment (19.68% of total imports), medicines (8.64%), furniture (6.33%), mineral fuels (6.11%), and machinery (5.72%) (International Trade Centre, 2021). CAR's main customers are the United Arab Emirates (47.6% of total imports), Italy (14.9%), France (11.1%), China (6.2%) and Mauritania (4.3%). Its main suppliers are Cameroon (34.4% of total imports), China (10.5%), France (10%), Nigeria (5%) and India (4.8%) (International Trade Centre, 2021). Security issues have a major impact on trade, as illustrated by the three-month closure of the Bangui-Douala corridor early 2021.
CAR's trade balance is structurally in deficit, a trend which should continue in the years to come. In 2021, CAR exported USD 162 million in goods and imported USD 590 million. In 2018, exports of services reached USD 52 million, while imports amounted to USD 394 million (WTO). In 2021, imports of goods and services decreased by 10% compared to 2020, while exports decreased by 6% (World Bank). After decreasing in the context of the COVID-19 crisis and supply chain disruptions, global trade volumes recovered. Since 2022, exports are boosted by surging prices and increased demand for wood; while imports are driven by higher oil prices (Coface).
Foreign Trade Indicators | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Imports of Goods (million USD) | 368 | 606 | 603 | 602 | 590 |
Exports of Goods (million USD) | 140 | 164 | 147 | 125 | 162 |
Imports of Services (million USD) | 0 | 394 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Exports of Services (million USD) | 0 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 16 | -5 | 5 | 1 | -10 |
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 23 | -52 | 2 | -3 | -6 |
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) | 57 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 45 |
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 40 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 30 |
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 |
Source: WTO – World Trade Organisation ; World Bank - Latest available data.
Main Customers (% of Exports) |
2020 |
---|---|
United Arab Emirates | 24.6% |
Sweden | 15.4% |
France | 10.4% |
Switzerland | 8.1% |
Uganda | 7.0% |
See More Countries | 34.5% |
Main Suppliers (% of Imports) |
2020 |
---|---|
Cameroon | 26.2% |
China | 17.1% |
France | 14.0% |
Belgium | 7.1% |
Italy | 5.1% |
See More Countries | 30.4% |
Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data
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0.1 bn USD of services exported in 2018 | |
---|---|
43.19% | |
Miscellaneous business,...Miscellaneous business, professional, and technical services | 42.38% |
Research and developmentResearch and development | 0.68% |
41.30% | |
Personal travelPersonal travel | 38.61% |
OtherOther | 38.53% |
Education-related expenditureEducation-related expenditure | 0.08% |
Business travelBusiness travel | 2.70% |
10.14% | |
Air transportAir transport | 3.21% |
OtherOther | 2.85% |
PassengerPassenger | 0.36% |
2.55% | |
Construction in the compiling...Construction in the compiling economy | 1.31% |
Construction abroadConstruction abroad | 1.24% |
2.25% | |
ReinsuranceReinsurance | 1.26% |
0.47% | |
Information servicesInformation services | 0.45% |
0.03% | |
0.03% | |
Telecommunications servicesTelecommunications services | 0.03% |
0.02% | |
n/a% |
0.4 bn USD of services imported in 2018 | |
---|---|
41.57% | |
Personal travelPersonal travel | 41.32% |
OtherOther | 40.25% |
Education-related expenditureEducation-related expenditure | 0.61% |
Health-related expenditureHealth-related expenditure | 0.47% |
Business travelBusiness travel | 0.25% |
40.71% | |
Sea transportSea transport | 9.62% |
FreightFreight | 9.62% |
Air transportAir transport | 5.24% |
FreightFreight | 3.85% |
PassengerPassenger | 1.37% |
OtherOther | 0.02% |
9.11% | |
Miscellaneous business,...Miscellaneous business, professional, and technical services | 5.36% |
4.00% | |
Auxiliary servicesAuxiliary services | 0.03% |
3.16% | |
Information servicesInformation services | 0.73% |
0.76% | |
Construction in the compiling...Construction in the compiling economy | 0.76% |
0.60% | |
Telecommunications servicesTelecommunications services | 0.60% |
0.07% | |
0.02% | |
n/a% |
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, Latest Available Data
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Member of Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD)
Member of Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) (in French)
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Latest Update: September 2023