Ensuring sustainable food production systems and the implementation of resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production is among the top priorities of CAR’s National Pact for Food and Agriculture. This initiative will not only catalyze diversification of the economy (SDG 8), but also decentralize economic activity from the capital to the regions and provinces to address rural to urban migration by creating economic and employment opportunities in rural areas.  

Focusing on SDG target 2.4 can positively impact other SDGs such as poverty and hunger [SDG 1,2] good health [SDG 3], water and sanitation [SDG 6], energy [SDG 7], jobs [SDG 8], and reducing inequalities [SDG 10], including the provision of opportunities and resources to women in rural areas [SDG 5]. The synergies with renewable energy generation to provide access to low-carbon energy for rural enterprises such as agricultural processing industry - as emphasized in rural revival policy – will trigger a larger multiplier effect on all the SDGs via SDG 7. 

Synergies with other SDGs will reinforce overall SDG acceleration due to interlinkages, yet trade-offs are also possible via negative impacts if action on other SDGs are not coordinated. An increase in economic activity in rural areas may trigger deterioration in health and wellbeing (SDG-3), clean water and sanitation (SDG-6), responsible consumption and production (SDG-12).

CAR’s path to achieving high economic productivity hinges on a strategic blend of economic diversification, development decentralization, technological upgrading, and innovation in the agricultural and industrial sectors. By expanding beyond traditional sectors (mining) and venturing into emerging industries such as renewable energy, technology, services sector, agribusiness and agricultural and food processing, CAR can achieve inclusive and sustainable growth while tapping into new sources of growth. Simultaneously, investments in education and skill development must empower the workforce to embrace these modern industries. Central to this endeavour should be a concerted focus on labour-intensive sectors, nurturing a robust environment for startups and SMEs, and building efficient infrastructure that binds the economy together. 

For instance, investments in sustainable agriculture, food processing, tourism, transit services, infrastructure, renewable energy, health, and education related technology sectors will provide opportunities for economic diversification. It also requires placing larger emphasis on supporting women's empowerment and access to finance to optimize the gains in productivity and economic diversification. Achievements in SDG target 8.2 have the acceleration potential throughout the SDG framework, with reductions in poverty and hunger [SDG 1,2], access to clean water [SDG 6.1], water use efficiency [6.4), reduce environmental impact on cities [SDG 11. 6) and sustainable use of resources [SDGs 12.2 and 12.6].

CAR is at a crossroads, with overlapping crises (COVID-19, post-electoral conflict, the war in Ukraine, etc.) and critical choices to improve its people’s living conditions. For CAR to realize its enormous potential, must address the root causes of fragility by creating jobs, improving the management of its natural resources, and establishing a social contract.

To achieve this, CAR must implement the three pillars of the National Recovery and Peacebuilding Plan (RCPCA) for the period 2017-2023 which focus on: (i) supporting peace, security and national reconciliation, (ii) renewing the social contract between the State and the people and (iii) ensuring economic recovery and the recovery of the productive sectors. Furthermore, to build trust, the government should involve civil society organizations and the public in decision-making.

Achieving peace could play a crucial role in accelerating economic growth, reducing extreme poverty, boosting productivity, human capital, private sector investment and improving infrastructures such as road connections, electricity and ICT in CAR., Target 16.1 can serve as an enabler to achieve several SDGs.

‍

Past attempts to address the political crisis and instability were unsuccessful because of mistrust between the state, armed groups, and citizens, and temporary strategies that did not address the root causes of conflicts and violence. 

Policymakers need to focus on accelerating development, improving the quality of governance at all levels, and increasing transparency to strong maximize the impact of reforms on the living standards of Central Africans as outlined in the National Recovery and Peacebuilding Plan (RCPCA) for the period 2017-2023 and sectoral development strategies (PES 2020-2029, PNDS 2021-2026, National Pact for Food and Agriculture, etc.).

Building effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels (SDG target 16.6) will a drive investment and progress across several SDGs, e.g., universal health coverage, quality education, water quality, sustainable food systems, resilient agricultural practices, job creation for youth, and resilient and sustainable infrastructure, among others.

‍