The Central African Republic (CAR) has signed a US$98 million agreement with UK-based DSR Group to modernize its agricultural sector, a move expected to benefit some 2.6 million people across the country.
The accord, announced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on March 31, aims to enhance productivity through large-scale mechanization and infrastructure development over a 10-year period. The project will deploy 850 fully equipped tractors, alongside 5,925 units of modern farming equipment, to provide mechanization services to more than 418,000 farming households.
As part of the initiative, 335,800 hectares of arable land will be restored and developed. Infrastructure upgrades include seven cotton ginning plants, 10 wet coffee processing stations, four industrial cassava processing units with 100 additional community-level units, four milling centres, and five export-oriented cleaning facilities. Authorities said these measures will strengthen agro-processing, reduce post-harvest losses, and increase access to regional and international markets.
“This programme represents a major step toward modernizing our agricultural sector, increasing productivity, and improving livelihoods for millions of Central Africans,” the presidency said in a Facebook post announcing the agreement.
Agriculture is a key component of CAR’s economy, accounting for roughly 40 percent of gross domestic product and employing more than 70 percent of the workforce, according to the African Development Bank’s 2025 report. Yet the sector has faced persistent challenges, including underinvestment, limited modernization, and weak infrastructure, which have constrained productivity and income generation.
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To complement the mechanization plan, the government has also sought to strengthen farmer organization and entrepreneurship. In partnership with the International Trade Centre, the Ministry of Agriculture has implemented the PAPEUR Rural Project, which encourages farmers to form cooperatives and access improved agricultural services and financing.
The mechanization deal forms part of a broader national effort to modernize infrastructure and stimulate economic growth. Authorities emphasized that enhanced mechanization will not only increase agricultural output but also support job creation, food security, and the expansion of rural industries.
Separately, CAR has signed another UK-backed agreement worth $30 million to improve public transport. Under this arrangement, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation will receive 300 ultra-modern buses, each with a capacity of 60 passengers, to upgrade urban and intercity transport services.
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Analysts said the agricultural mechanization programme, combined with complementary projects in transport and rural development, underscores CAR’s ambition to modernize its economy despite ongoing development challenges. “Mechanization is essential for moving from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture. This investment has the potential to transform rural livelihoods and integrate Central Africa more effectively into regional value chains,” said Jean-Pierre Mbemba, an agricultural economist based in Bangui.
The CAR government said implementation of the mechanization plan will be phased, prioritizing regions with the highest agricultural potential and households most in need of mechanization support. Training programmes for farmers and technical staff will also accompany the deployment of machinery to ensure proper utilization and maintenance.
The DSR Group, a UK-based agribusiness company, has extensive experience in mechanization projects across Africa and Asia. Its partnership with CAR signals growing interest from international investors in Africa’s agricultural modernization, especially in countries with high untapped potential.
With agriculture forming the backbone of CAR’s economy and employing the majority of the population, authorities said this $98 million mechanization programme represents a strategic investment to promote economic growth, job creation, and long-term food security across the country.
