UNDP marks milestone with inauguration of rebuilt infrastructure in Bossangoa

Following decades of conflict that led to the displacement of over one million people, security and infrastructure development has allowed for the establishment of core government services and the return of 227,000 displaced people.

This feat has implications for countries such as Nigeria that have witnessed destruction of public infrastructure due to insurgency and are looking to rebuild.

On October 12, President Faustin Archange Touadera and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Central African Republic (CAR) celebrated the inauguration of rebuilt socio-economic infrastructure in Bossangoa.

This milestone marks a key achievement of UNDP’s Stabilisation Programme made possible through collaborative efforts with the government and key partners Japan, the European Union, South Korea, and the African Development Bank. The project restores state authority, helping vulnerable communities regain normalcy.

The Central African Republic’s progress marks a significant milestone for the broader African and global communities, demonstrating the power of international cooperation, investment, and community-led initiatives in transforming fragile states.

The Central African Republic, ranked among the poorest nations globally in 2018, has begun its recovery and development trajectory. Decades of conflict, which displaced over one million people, have given way to progress. Security and infrastructure development have enabled the return of 227,000 displaced individuals, with over 95 percent of administrative officials now in place.

The UNDP Stabilisation Programme, in partnership with the government, builds upon security gains achieved by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and state security forces. This programme delivers a comprehensive package of social services, infrastructure, and livelihood opportunities to conflict-affected communities, fostering the social contract between the State and its citizens. By addressing interconnected needs, it lays the groundwork for sustainable peace and long-term development.

Five new buildings were unveiled, including administrative offices and a reconstructed market with solar-powered water and lighting systems, benefiting over 40,000 people. This marks a new era for regional services, strengthening security, justice, access to essential services, and revitalizing the local economy.

“The Stabilisation Programme plays a key role in preparing the ground for development, by strengthening the presence and authority of the State, improving the living conditions of our citizens, and fostering national cohesion and harmony,” noted President Touadera.

In addition to stabilisation, UNDP is providing key elements for consolidating the development process in CAR, which include: justice and security and local elections. UNDP is supporting the first local elections in over 30 years. Others are the restoration of the civil registration system, made possible with funding from the EU, to promote inclusive democratic participation and literacy training centers, with funding from Japan, serving over 2,000 adults.

“Security provides the foundation, but stabilisation paves the way for lasting peace by addressing underlying social, economic, and governance needs, ensuring peace endures,” noted Jean-Luc Stalon, Resident Representative of UNDP in the Central African Republic.

Building on this milestone, the Government of the Central African Republic and the European Union reaffirm their commitment to supporting the stabilisation programme, with plans to elaborate and achieve an expanded long-term program aligned with the country’s new national development agenda.