• Talks focus on CARDIP regional programme for connectivity and e-commerce

• Internet penetration remains low at about 12% in 2025

Central African Republic Minister of Digital Economy Justin Gourna Zacko received a World Bank delegation on Monday, March 2, to discuss strengthening public digital infrastructure for e-commerce and digital payments.

Talks focused on the country’s participation in the Central African Digital Integration Program (CARDIP), a World Bank-supported initiative aimed at accelerating digital integration across Central Africa by improving connectivity, enabling secure data flows and expanding online services.

Despite including digital development in its national development plan, the Central African Republic remains one of the least connected countries in the world. Internet penetration reached 12% at the end of 2025, according to DataReportal. Electricity access, which is essential for digital services, also remains limited and stood at 17% in 2023, according to the World Bank.

CARDIP to accelerate regional digital integration

In addition to the Central African Republic, CARDIP includes Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. The World Bank says the program will focus on expanding broadband infrastructure, strengthening cross-border digital interconnections, developing public digital platforms and improving digital skills.

The initiative aims to foster a regional digital ecosystem capable of attracting private investment and supporting local entrepreneurship. Authorities in Bangui expect that stronger public digital infrastructure will improve access to administrative services, accelerate the adoption of digital payments and support the development of a still nascent e-commerce market.

Adoni Conrad Quenum