Transport in the Central African Republic

The road network of the Central African Republic covers approximately 24,000 to 25,600 kilometres, depending on the survey, of which only about three percent, or around 893 kilometres, is paved. Many routes consist of dirt or gravel roads. Bridges, flooding and damaged road surfaces make travel more difficult, especially during the rainy season from approximately May to November. Overall, seasonal rainfall can impair road access for at least eight months of the year. Outside Bangui, some routes require an off-road vehicle; individual sections may temporarily become impassable. Construction work on the Gouga–Mbaïki–Bangui connection began in 2025, while the associated corridor planning extends to 2028. For many connections, there are no reliably consistent travel times. In Bangui, passengers use green buses, yellow taxis, taxi-motos and small minibuses. Private and informal providers shape urban transport more strongly than a modern integrated bus system. Overcrowding, poor maintenance, pickpocketing and accident risks are among the practical problems. Walking therefore remains an important alternative both within and outside urban areas. There is no documented nationwide cycling infrastructure; however, campaigns for pedestrian safety and signage have been carried out in Bangui, Bimbo and Begoua. The Central African Republic has no regular national passenger or freight rail service. Mentioned railway projects concern regional corridors outside the country or long-term integration. On the Ubangi and Congo Rivers, pirogues and local ferry (bac) services handle some crossings and cross-border connections. The connection between Bangui and Zongo is slow, irregular, dependent on water levels and associated with increased risk. Port, bridge and water transport projects are planned or being implemented, but they do not yet provide a reliable nationwide system. Bangui-M’Poko International Airport is the central air transport hub. The national civil aviation authority (ANAC) is responsible for civil aviation. A dependable nationwide domestic flight network has not been documented; schedules and prices change and should be checked for current information each time. Long-distance connections by land include routes via Douala to Bangui or via Pointe-Noire, Brazzaville, Bangui and N’Djamena. Waterways via Brazzaville and the Ubangi, as well as international flights, supplement these connections. As a landlocked country, the Central African Republic can reach the sea only through transport routes across neighbouring states. Road traffic drives on the right. The applicable traffic rules address, among other things, speed, overloading, driving under the influence of narcotics and compliance with signage. For foreign drivers, official travel advice mentions a valid national driving licence and an international driving permit under the 1968 Convention; an identity document or passport should be carried. After an accident, the police or gendarmerie should be awaited unless an immediate danger requires continuing to drive. Night travel and unsecured checkpoints increase the risk. On remote routes, armed checkpoints and security restrictions may further limit access. Current nationwide fares have not been reliably verified. Historical tariffs were set by interministerial orders, while changing fuel prices contribute to variable costs in urban and intercity transport. Ferry and boat prices are not reliably documented nationwide; there is no reliable evidence of toll charges. Transport infrastructure also suffers from flooding, erosion, inadequate drainage and the removal of road-surface material. Climate-adapted road planning projects aim to reduce this damage, although some regional corridor projects have been classified as environmentally risky.