Housing Finance in Central African Republic
Overview
This profile is also available in French here.
To download a pdf version of the full 2021 Central African Republic country profile, click here.
Despite its impressive agricultural potential, and vast mineral and forest resources, the Central African Republic (CAR) is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranked 188th out of 189 countries in the UN Human Development Index 2020. Its total population is 5.4 million, with the most populated areas being the North-West and the Central-East. The urban population in 2020 was recorded at 42.2%, slightly up on the 2019 estimate of 41.8%. The population growth rate is below 2%, with an annual average growth rate below 1%,4 suggesting a moderate increase each year.
Moreover, the country’s political, economic, and military uncertainty constitutes a severe barrier to the development of housing activities. A few years ago, Bangui was afflicted by violence and displacement, with the capital hosting over 50 000 internally displaced people. In addition, the low rate of financial inclusion among the population considerably hinders the prospect of affordable housing finance, especially among the unbanked. No policy initiative facilitates the supply of social housing by the government, as stressed by the Directorate General of Housing in 2015. Lacking the resources and capacity to meet the evolving needs of residents, municipal authorities have come under pressure. In 2018, the World Bank estimated that 95.8% of the urban population lived in slums.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the country’s economy has suffered greatly. The most affected economic sectors are agriculture, mining, trade, and hotels. However, the economy proved its resilience in 2020 and grew by 0.4%, although this remains below 4.5% in 2019. Inflation dropped by 0.6% in 2020 because of improved security on the corridor from the port of Douala to Bangui and the drop in the demand for foodstuffs following lockdown measures. The African Development Bank forecasts real gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 3.3% in 2021 and 5.1% in 2022. Completion of energy projects and resumption of agricultural and mining activities among many other elements explain this rebound. However, political and institutional instability, permanent insecurity in the country’s northern regions, the uncontained expansion of the pandemic beyond the second semester of 2021, together with troubled elections might hamper such an encouraging economic outlook.
Find out more about information on the housing finance sector of the Central African Republic (CAR), including key stakeholders, important policies and housing affordability:
- Macroeconomic Overview
- Access to Finance
- Affordability
- Housing Supply
- Property Markets
- Policy and Regulation
- Opportunities
- Urban Informality
- Availability on data on housing finance
- Additional Sources
- websites
Each year, CAHF publishes its Housing Finance in Africa Yearbook. The profile above is from the 2021 edition, which has up-to-date profiles for 55 African countries.
Download yearbookCentral African Republic
Macroeconomic Overview
Despite its impressive agricultural potential, and vast mineral and forest resources, the Central African Republic (CAR) is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranked 188th out of 189 countries in the UN Human Development Index 2020. Its total population is 5.4 million, with the most populated areas being the North-West and the Central-East. The urban population in 2020 was recorded at 42.2%, slightly up on the 2019 estimate of 41.8%. The population growth rate is below 2%, with an annual average growth rate below 1%,4 suggesting a moderate increase each year.
Moreover, the country’s political, economic, and military uncertainty constitutes a severe barrier to the development of housing activities. A few years ago, Bangui was afflicted by violence and displacement, with the capital hosting over 50 000 internally displaced people. In addition, the low rate of financial inclusion among the population considerably hinders the prospect of affordable housing finance, especially among the unbanked. No policy initiative facilitates the supply of social housing by the government, as stressed by the Directorate General of Housing in 2015. Lacking the resources and capacity to meet the evolving needs of residents, municipal authorities have come under pressure. In 2018, the World Bank estimated that 95.8% of the urban population lived in slums.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the country’s economy has suffered greatly. The most affected economic sectors are agriculture, mining, trade, and hotels. However, the economy proved its resilience in 2020 and grew by 0.4%, although this remains below 4.5% in 2019. Inflation dropped by 0.6% in 2020 because of improved security on the corridor from the port of Douala to Bangui and the drop in the demand for foodstuffs following lockdown measures. The African Development Bank forecasts real gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 3.3% in 2021 and 5.1% in 2022. Completion of energy projects and resumption of agricultural and mining activities among many other elements explain this rebound. However, political and institutional instability, permanent insecurity in the country’s northern regions, the uncontained expansion of the pandemic beyond the second semester of 2021, together with troubled elections might hamper such an encouraging economic outlook.
The real estate and the construction sectors are almost non-existent due to their low contribution to GDP. For example, in 2016, the construction sector’s contribution to the GDP was below 1% cent (0.6%). This low contribution is partly because of the lack of operational real estate developers and the absence of public real estate programmes in almost a decade to stimulate the market. Moreover, with no State subsidised housing programmes, it is difficult to create economic momentum around housing since the few actors in housing do not necessarily have long-term capital.
[1] Krock, F. (2015). Central African Republic: one million housing units to be built following the crisis according to Gabriel Ngouamidou DG Habitat. Corbeau News Centrafrique. 25 January 2015. https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.com/centrafrique-un-million-de-logement-construire-suite-ma-crise-selon-gabriel-ngouamidou-dg-habitat/ (Accessed 27 August 2020).
[2] Preparatory Commission for the Bangui National Forum (2015). Final Report of the Commission No. 4: Economic and Social Development. (Accessed 27 August 2020). Pgs. 42-43.
[3] Le Du, D. (2017). Central African Republic: The number of displaced people has increased sharply in recent months. https://peacekeeping.un.org/en (Accessed on 29 August 2020).
[4] The World Bank (2019). World Bank Open Data. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/%20NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG%20?locations=CF (Accessed 26 August 2020).
[5]The World Bank (2019). World Bank Open Data. https://data.worldbank.org/country/central-african-republic https://planificateur.a-contresens.net/classement_par_pays/PIB.html (Accessed 5 October 2020).
[6] World Bank Group (2019). Doing Business 2019. https://www.doingbusiness.org/content/dam/doingBusiness/media/Annual-Reports/English/DB2019-report_web-version.pdf (Accessed 18 August 2020). Pg. 5.
[7] WHO (2020). Covid-19 Situation update for WHO African Region – External Situation Report 7 on 15 April 2020. World Health Organization. (Accessed 18 August 2020). Pg. 8.
[8] OCHA (2020). CAR: Overview of the response to COVID-19. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 7 May 2020. https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/op%C3%A9rations/central-african-republic/infographic/rca-ocha-apercu-de-la-reponse-la-covid-19-07-mai (Accessed 29 August 2020).
[9] OCHA (2020). CAR: Overview of the response to COVID-19. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 7 May 2020. https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/op%C3%A9rations/central-african-republic/infographic/rca-ocha-apercu-de-la-reponse-la-covid-19-07-mai (Accessed 29 August 2020).
Access to Finance
Compared to the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) countries, the country’s financial market remains underdeveloped and plays a limited role in supporting economic growth. It is the smallest financial market in the CEMAC (only 17.8% of GDP) and records a high level of non-performing loans (NPLs) and banks’ high exposure to the public sector. The financial sector comprises four banks that own over 90% of assets, four insurance companies including a social security fund, two postal banks, and five microfinance institutions (MFIs). However, key financial institutions, including investment banks, brokerage firms, savings and loans associations, are missing from the financial landscape because of the national market’s weak legal framework and structure, and military instability in the country.
Access to banking is low. According to the CAR Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2018/19 report, 6.1% of households indicated owning a bank account. From those households, 17.4% of the bank account owners lived in urban areas, with only 0.8% living in rural areas. CAR’s credit share is among the lowest in the CEMAC too. In 2020, it represented1.67% of the regional share. However, the cost of credit in the country is among the highest recorded in Central Africa. In 2020, the average global effective rate for short-term, medium-term, and long-term credit was 12.14%, 13.97%, and 13.17%, respectively.
Housing finance is undeveloped. Although the country does not have a housing bank, some commercial banks provide mortgages, subject to meeting requirements such as earning an annual income of CFA7 745 281 (US$14 000). Thus only 0.5% of the population has access to mortgages. The total outstanding mortgages are estimated at CFA15 billion (US$27 million), with Banque Sahelo-Saharienne pour l’Investisseemnt et le Commerce (BSIC) Bank owning almost CFA9 million (US$16.3 million). The World Bank notes that only Ecobank and BSIC Bank provide mortgages over five to 10 years. The average loan amount is between CFA 2 million (US$3 615) to CFA 20 million (US$36151), and interest rates are between 9% to 12%. The effective global rate for housing loans granted to individuals was 13.63% in December 2020 and went over 15% in September of that year (17.81%).
Furthermore, the housing sector suffers from an increasing level of NPLs, which might tighten access to mortgage finance in the country. According to a World Bank report, the NPLs in 2019 represented 21.7% of total loans, with housing being among the sectors with the highest ratio of NPLs.
In the CEMAC, the CAR microfinance sector is the second smallest, after Equatorial Guinea. MFIs are not evenly spread across the country, suggesting a geographical constraint limiting the sector’s performance. Most are in Bangui, the capital, and only two MFIs are in rural areas. In 2017, total deposits at CFA13 billion (US$23.5 million) represented 2% of the regional share, microloans 1% at CFA3.8 billion (US$6.9 million), and total balances 2% at CFA16.4 billion (US$29.6 million). Microloans are low and account for only 1% of total credit facilities, serving 0.5% of the population.
The main MFIs are the Caisse Mutuelle de Centrafrique (CMCA), Société Financière Africaine de Crédit, Express Union Centrafrique SA, Crédit Populaire de Centrafrique SA and Caisse d’Epargne et de Crédit de Bozoum (CEC Bozoum). CMCA is the oldest microfinance network followed by CEC Bozoum. In 2017, the total value of outstanding microloans in the country was CFA3.8 billion (US$6.9 million). The progression of deposits observed four years after the 2013 crisis demonstrates good potential of growth in the sector and the confidence of microfinance users in their local MFIs. The current data landscape capturing critical indicators in the MFI sector does not provide clear information on housing microfinance. However, the Yesomoye website officially indicates that CMCA provides such microfinance to its customers.
[1] The franc of the African Financial Community (FCFA) has a fixed parity with the euro of CFA656 56 and a US dollar is exchanged at CFA 584 3007.
[2] Preparatory Commission for the Bangui National Forum (2015). Final Report of the Commission No. 4: Economic and Social Development. (Accessed 27 August 2020). Pgs. 42-43.
Affordability
It is still difficult for ordinary citizens to afford a decent house in the CAR. Their affordability capacity is severely constrained for several reasons. First, the capital of Bangui suffers from a rising housing backlog and uncontrolled rent increases. Rents soared with the arrival of United Nations employees in the capital in 2015. According to Jean Bosco, director of technical services at the municipality of Bangui, the salaries of UN employees range from CFA5 532 343 (US$10 000) to CFA 11 064 687 (US$20 000). Expats were quickly perceived as “better” tenants by local homeowners considering their purchasing power. Before their arrival, a local medium-level manager could afford a house between CFA80 000 (US$145) and CFA120 000 (US$217) in the more secure central districts. Now, it is no longer affordable to the locals, who prefer to live on the outskirts.
Second, the housing sector lacks a framework, especially around rent control. There is an accentuated freedom of market in that sector, allowing homeowners to set rent prices freely. This precludes many households from renting as sometimes rent fluctuations do not align with their economic realities.
Third, the high density of population in some areas resulted in increased demand for housing. Since the 2013 crisis, many inhabitants immigrated to Bangui to enjoy its relative safety, thus leading to overcrowding in the capital. This increased housing demand subsequently raised housing prices because of the low housing production nationwide. Also, a growing percentage of the population moved to urban areas. In 2019, the World meter recorded the CAR urban population rate at 42.5%. One year later, this increased to 43%. This increasing urbanisation rate will undoubtedly accelerate the need for policy reforms to cater for the housing needs of urban (and possibly also rural) residents.
Moreover, with GDP per capita below CFA281 905 (US$500) in 2020 CFA268 373 (US$476.85), CAR has one of the world’s highest poverty rates. This represents a critical hurdle in designing any affordability policy, especially for the housing sector.
The informal sector plays a vital role in the economy, and is the largest employer of ordinary households. However, with the volatility of revenue that characterizes this sector, it is difficult for households to hedge against any undue or excessive increases in rent. For instance, in 2019, a female informal trader living in PK5, a neighbourhood in Bangui, affirmed that she could not afford to pay her rent which increased by over 60%, from CFA15 000 (US$27) to CFA25 000 (US$45).
Finally, the CAR’s local construction market contributes to increasing rental and housing purchase prices. This is partly because the country heavily relies on importation and road transport to supply various segments of its market. For example, the price of a 50kg bag of cement has surged from CFA8 300 (US$15) to CFA13 500 (US$24.4). This is much higher than the cost of cement in other African countries.
[1] Ecofin (2020). The challenge of affordable housing in Africa on the eve of record population growth. 6 January 2020. https://www.agenceecofin.com/gestion-publique/0601-72461-le-defi-du-logement-abordable-en-afrique-a-la-veille-d-un-record-de-croissance-demographique (Accessed 27 August 2020).
[2] Ecofin (2020). The challenge of affordable housing in Africa on the eve of record population growth. 6 January 2020. https://www.agenceecofin.com/gestion-publique/0601-72461-le-defi-du-logement-abordable-en-afrique-a-la-veille-d-un-record-de-croissance-demographique (Accessed 27 August 2020).
[3] Mitchell, J. (2018). Economic housing for all, an imperative in Africa. Jeune Afrique. 2 March 2018. https://www.jeuneafrique.com/538777/economie/le-logement-economique-pour-tous-un-imperatif-en-afrique/ (Accessed 27 August 2020).
[4] Lafonte, C. (2020). Central African Republic: hard to find housing in Bangui. Agence France Presse. 14 August 2020. https://www.capital.fr/immobilier/centrafrique-dur-de-se-loger-dans-bangui-1344726 (Accessed 27 August 2020).
[5] Lafonte, C. (August 14, 2020). Central African Republic: hard to find housing in Bangui. Agence France Presse. https://www.capital.fr/immobilier/centrafrique-dur-de-se-loger-dans-bangui-1344726 (Accessed 27 August 2020).
Housing Supply
The housing backlog in CAR is over one million and it has two main causes. First, most of the government’s housing portfolio was sold during the 1993 to 2003 regime of the former President Ange-Félix Patassé, as explained by A.P. Maleyombo, Director of the cabinet of the Minister of Urbanism, Town, and Housing. Second, many houses were destroyed in 2013, reducing the country’s housing stock. Thousands of homes were partially or fully destroyed nationwide.
Some private investors remain hesitant about the CAR’s stability and remain cautious in their housing investment strategy. The non-completion of the 300 house Celtel-Afrique project weighs on private investors’ minds. Some market supply comes from self-construction and informal developers. But the average income is meager, thus making housing construction lengthy. According to Jean Bosco, people spend an average of 10 to 15 years before completing their house. Given these factors, housing supply in CAR is subject to uncertainty, considering that government funds to finance or co-finance housing developments for its population are limited.
Nevertheless, other private investors have an optimistic view about the housing sector and continue to invest in it. In 2018, Société d’Entreprise et de Gestion (SEG) International, a Lebanese group, secured a contract to build 5 000 social housing units in Bangui, Bouar, Berberati, Bambar and Bangassou. The total cost of the project is CFA98 billion (US$177.1 million). The project was scheduled to start in November 2018 with no deadline mentioned. Also, the CAR government resumed negotiating with Shelter Afrique to construct 300 houses, and the beginning of a more significant housing development (10 000 units) agreed since 2017. The national government has also approached a group of American and Emirati companies to build 50 000 housing units. Unfortunately, data to assess the level of implementation of these projects is insufficient.
Furthermore, the Agence Centrafricaine pour la Promotion de l’Habitat (ACPHJ) stimulates housing production by providing secured land in PK 18, 18km from Bangui, at CFA1 750 (US$3)/m2.
[1] Krock, F. (2015) Central African Republic: one million housing units to be built following the crisis according to Gabriel Ngouamidou DG Habitat. Corbeau News Centrafrique. 25 January 2015. https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.com/centrafrique-un-million-de-logement-construire-suite-ma-crise-selon-gabriel-ngouamidou-dg-habitat/ . (Accessed 8 August 2020).
[2] Krock, F. (2015) Central African Republic: one million housing units to be built following the crisis according to Gabriel Ngouamidou DG Habitat. Corbeau News Centrafrique. 25 January 2015. https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.com/centrafrique-un-million-de-logement-construire-suite-ma-crise-selon-gabriel-ngouamidou-dg-habitat/ (Accessed 28 August 2020).
[3] Andala, B. (2017) Central African Republic: the 100 social housing units on the Sakai boeing site will soon be habitable. Corbeau News Centrafrique. 12 March 2017. https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.com/centrafrique-les-100-logements-sociaux-du-site-de-sakai-boing-bientot-habitables/ (Accessed 8 August 2020).
[4] Krock, F. (2015). Central African Republic: one million housing units to be built following the crisis according to Gabriel Ngouamidou DG Habitat. Corbeau News Centrafrique. 25 January 2015. https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.com/centrafrique-un-million-de-logement-construire-suite-ma-crise-selon-gabriel-ngouamidou-dg-habitat/ (Accessed 28 August 2020).
Property Markets
The country has no formal property market. Private property ownership is difficult to assess since less than 0.1% of land in the country is titled and registered. Also, the land administration index (0-30) is shallow at 3.0, which demonstrates that the property sector suffers from weak administrative regulation. These indicators also suggest that the property market might be highly informal, thus exacerbating land security and other private property issues along the housing value chain. According to the World Bank 2020 Doing Business report, CAR ranks 170 out of 190 in registering property. It takes 75 days, five procedures, and costs 11% of the property value to complete the registration process.
The Central African Institute of Statistics and Economics and Social Studies (ICASEES) indicates that property ownership in CAR is popular. For example, ownership and rental rates in rural areas are 73.3% and 21.8%, while in urban areas, these rates are 93.7% and 4.2%, respectively.
Rent inflation remains high and unregulated. As a result, over 60% of the rural population lives in precarious housing. The 2020 Mercer report ranked Bangui as one of the most expensive African cities to live in, that is, 8th in Africa and 49th worldwide. In 2018, a rental market survey by a local real estate company into the three residential areas in Bangui helped understand Bangui’s final ranking in the 2020 Mercer report. In a mixed area (popular and residential), rent ranged from CFA100 000 (US$180.7) to CFA300 000 (US$542) depending on the property. This may increase to CFA650 000 (US$1 084.5) in a residential area with a security presence. Mixed areas include neighbourhoods like Bacongo, Sicasaidou, Lakouanga, Benz-VI. In medium-end residential area (Sica-sissongo, Catimi ex Socada, Batignoles), rent estimates ranged from CFA350 000 (US$632.6) to CFA950 000 (US$1 717). This area is mainly comprised of housing units, commercial and office units. Lastly, in the high-end residential area (Corniche, Ngaragba, Ouango), rent goes from CFA500 000 (US$903.7) to CFA1 500 000 (US$2 711). These neighbourhoods are the safest in Bangui
[1] Krock F. (2015) Central African Republic: one million housing units to be built following the crisis according to Gabriel Ngouamidou DG Habitat. Corbeau News Centrafrique. 25 January 2015. https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.com/centrafrique-un-million-de-logement-construire-suite-ma-crise-selon-gabriel-ngouamidou-dg-habitat/ (Accessed 28 August 2020).
[2] Themona, H. (2017). Central Africa: The Ministry of Urban Planning, Housing and Urban Development has the wind in its sails. Corbeau News Centrafrique. 25 April 2017. https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.com/centrafrique-le-ministere-de-lurbanisme-de-lhabitat-et-du-logement-le-vent-en-poupe/ (Accessed 28 August 2020).
[3] Lafonte, C. (2020). Central African Republic: hard to find housing in Bangui. Agence France Presse. 14 August 2020. https://www.capital.fr/immobilier/centrafrique-dur-de-se-loger-dans-bangui-1344726 (Accessed 27 August 2020).
Policy and Regulation
The legal framework is governed by various laws and the 2016 Constitution that recognises that every individual has the right to private property and that the state and citizens must protect it. The primary formal law governing land rights is Law No 63 of 1964 on the national domain. It recognises customary law but limits customary land tenure to use rights and provides for privatisation of state land through land registration. There are multiple tenure types with specific rights, procedures, and protections granted: private ownership, leaseholds (private and state land), concessions, right of habitation (state land), and customary tenure.
In 2009 the CAR created the Ministry of Urbanism, Cities, and Housing and the ACPHJ to harmonise the various laws on land tenure and improve access to housing.
[1] Krock. F. (2015) Central African Republic: one million housing units to be built following the crisis according to Gabriel Ngouamidou DG Habitat. Corbeau News Centrafrique. 25 January 2015. https://corbeaunews-centrafrique. com/centrafrique-un-million-de-logement-construire-suite-ma-crise-selon-gabriel-ngouamidou-dg-habitat/ (Accessed 27 August 2020).
[2] Krock, F. (2015) Central African Republic: one million housing units to be built following the crisis according to Gabriel Ngouamidou DG Habitat. Corbeau News Centrafrique. 25 January 2015. https://corbeaunews-com/centrafrique-un-million-de-logement-construire-suite-ma-crise-selon-gabriel-ngouamidou-dg-habitat/ (Accessed 28 August 2020).
[3] Lafonte, C. (2020). Central African Republic: hard to find housing in Bangui. Agence France Presse. 14 August 2020. https://www.capital.fr/immobilier/centrafrique-dur-de-se-loger-dans-bangui-1344726 (Accessed 27 August 2020).
Opportunities
CAR has a significant need for decent housing. The politico-military crisis of 2013 and the overcrowding in Bangui are two reasons for government to develop a housing supply policy and strategy. Investors could collaborate with the government to identify the areas that need direct intervention and a better approach to enable more significant investment in the housing sector.
The absence of large-scale public housing programmes for almost a decade reinforces the need for increased access to long-term finance and for large-scale developers in the country to assist public companies in supplying housing. International developers with financial and building capabilities may increase the housing stock nationwide. First, however, the government will have to resume or complete the national housing bank project to guarantee end-user finance. In addition, the future housing bank will improve the affordability level of most citizens through low or subsidised interest rates to incentivise private developers’ participation in building new housing stock for low to middle income households.
None of these encouraging trends, however, will yield sustainable economic return or growth without political, military, and economic stability.
[1] Mckenson-Kenguéléwa, H. (2016). Central African Republic: real estate, a growing market that can pay big dividends. CEO Africa. 16 June 2016. https://www.ceoafrique.com/single-post/centrafrique-limmobilier-un-marche-en-devenir-qui-peut-rapporter-gros CEO (Accessed 27 August 2020).
[2] Preparatory Commission for the Bangui National Forum (2015). Final Report of the Commission No. 4: Economic and Social Development. (Accessed on 27 August 2020). Pgs. 42-43.
[3] Themona, H. (2017). Central Africa: The Ministry of Urban Planning, Housing and Urban Development has the wind in its sails. Corbeau News Centrafrique. 25 April 2017. https://corbeaunews-centrafrique.com/centrafrique-le-ministere-de-lurbanisme-de-lhabitat-et-du-logement-le-vent-en-poupe/. (Consulted on 28 August 2020)
[4] URD Group (2016). Support mission to the MUHL. https://www.urd.org/fr/projet/mission-dappui-aupres-du-ministere-de-lhabitat-en-rca/ (Accessed on 28 August 2020).
Urban Informality
Bangui is home to approximately 41% of the total urban population. Bangui’s density has increased since the politico-military crisis of 2013 which worsened the state of access to decent and affordable housing while increasing the number of informal settlements.
The urban population in 2020 was 42.2% of the population, slightly higher than the 2019 percentage of 41.8%. The population growth rate is below 2%, with the annual average growth rate below 1%. In 2018, the World Bank estimated that 95.8% of the urban population lived in slums.
According to Central African Institute of Statistics and Economics and Social Studies (ICASEES) (2018/19), 1.6%, 24.6%, and 25.6% of urban households had access to clean water in their house, through public tap water, and protected wells, respectively. According to ICASEES, 0.4%, 0.9%, and 29.3% of urban households have access to a sewage system, latrines, and pit latrine with slabs.
[1] WHO (2020) UNMISCA Briefing Note. World Health Organization. https://www.afro.who.int/fr/publications/covid-19-en-rca-rapports-de-situation (Accessed 30 August 2020).
[2] WHO (2020) UNMISCA Briefing Note. World Health Organization. https://www.afro.who.int/fr/publications/covid-19-en-rca-rapports-de-situation (Accessed 30 August 2020).
[3] AfDB (2020). Economic Outlook 2020 Supplement amid COVID-19. African Development Bank. https://afdb.org/en/documents/african-economic-outlook-2020-supplement (Accessed 29 August 2020).
Availability on data on housing finance
Apart from published results, externally funded research and censuses, online newspapers, and reports from international organisations, it is difficult to obtain reliable primary data from some in the public and the private sector.
The main institutions collecting and sharing housing finance data are:
- The Land Registry, responsible for maintaining the cadaster and recording land transactions;
- The Central Bank (BEAC) releases annual reports and other financial document covering the banking and microfinance sector in the CEMAC;
- ICASEES is responsible for collecting, managing, and sharing national statistics. It collects macroeconomic data, produces the consumer price index, demographic and social statistics, the industrial production index and surveys;
- The banking association (APECCA);
- The MFI association (APEMF-CA).
Given current travel restrictions, it is challenging to access data remotely when researching the national housing market for two main reasons: the high level of unresponsiveness from key stakeholders and the absence of an official link to visit some institution websites to collect critical data or assess their data landscape.
Additional Sources
The Economist, Economic Intelligence Unit (2015). Country Report: Central African Republic. 16 August 2015.
Government of Central African Republic (2008). Ministry of Public Buildings Reconstruction, Urban Development and Housing. Lettre de Politique Nationale de Développement du Secteur de l’Habitat en République Centrafricaine. Bangui, 2008.
Government of Central African Republic (2008). Ministry of Public Buildings Reconstruction, Urban Development and Housing. Résumé du rapport de stratégie nationale de l’habitat. Bangui, 2008.
Government of Central African Republic (2009). Ministry of Finance and Budget. Stratégie Nationale pour la Finance Inclusive en RCA. Bangui, 2009.
Government of Central African Republic (2011). Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper 2 2011-2015: Reducing Extreme Poverty. Bangui, 2011.
IMF (2014). Request for disbursement under the Rapid Credit Facility and cancellation of the Extended credit Facility Arrangement- Staff Report. Press Release; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Central African Republic. 1 May 2015.
UNHRC and Norwegian Refugee Council (2014). Displacement and Housing, Land and Property Rights in the Central African Republic. December 2014.
USAID (2010). Property Rights and Resource Governance: Central African Republic. USAID Country Profile.
World Bank (2016). Doing Business 2017: Central African Republic Country Profile.
websites
African Development Bank https: //www.afdb.org
MINUSCA https: //www.minusca.unmissions.org
Bank of Central African States https://www.beac.int
Doing Business https://www.doingbusiness.org
UN Habitat https: //www.unhabitat.org
World Bank https://www.worldbank.org
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees https://www.unhcr.org/fr/
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees https://www.unhcr.org/fr/
Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa https://housingfinanceafrica.org/
Central African Institute of Statistics and Economics and Social Studies (ICASEES)
