Uganda and Central African Republic
Uganda and the Central African Republic explored expanding economic and development cooperation in July 2026. Ugandan diplomatic representation identified agribusiness, tourism, infrastructure and training as potential practical routes.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-08 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-08History and institutional framework
Farid Kaliisa, Uganda’s ambassador resident in Kinshasa and accredited to the Central African Republic, met Marc Mandaba in Bangui, according to the report of 24 July 2026.
What merchandise trade shows
In 2024, goods trade between Uganda and Central African Republic totalled 5.5 million current USD.
Documented trade sectors
Within the selected chapters, electrical and electronic equipment stands out in shipments from Uganda to Central African Republic, at 0.0227 million USD in 2024.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 5.52 M USD | 2024 · Comtrade |
| Goods: Uganda to Central African Republic | 5.5 M USD | 2024 · Comtrade |
| Goods: Central African Republic to Uganda | 0.0205 M USD | 2024 · Comtrade |
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: Uganda to Central African Republic | 0.0684 % | 2024 · Comtrade |
| Export share: Central African Republic to Uganda | ||
| Investment stock: Uganda in Central African Republic | ||
| Investment stock: Central African Republic in Uganda |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2024 · UN Comtrade; reporters SYC, TJK, TKM, TUR, UGA, UZB, VNM · Goods; full calendar year; reporter UGA. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF; no addition of mirror declarations. Both directions are identified from the same customs authority.
- Goods: Uganda to Central African Republic
- 2024 · UN Comtrade; reporters SYC, TJK, TKM, TUR, UGA, UZB, VNM · Goods; full calendar year; reporter UGA. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF; no addition of mirror declarations. Both directions are identified from the same customs authority.
- Goods: Central African Republic to Uganda
- 2024 · UN Comtrade; reporters SYC, TJK, TKM, TUR, UGA, UZB, VNM · Goods; full calendar year; reporter UGA. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF; no addition of mirror declarations. Both directions are identified from the same customs authority.
- Export share: Uganda to Central African Republic
- 2024 · UN Comtrade; reporters SYC, TJK, TKM, TUR, UGA, UZB, VNM · Exports to the partner / worldwide exports by the same reporter; same year and coverage.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
| Indicator | Uganda | Central African Republic |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 61.99 billion USD2025 · WB | 3.07 billion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 1,206.3 USD2025 · WB | 556.13 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 6.33 %2025 · WB | 4.5 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | ||
| Inflation · annual average | 3.58 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | 1 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | ||
| Unemployment | 2.75 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 6.25 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -7.1 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -5.5 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 54.2 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 61.8 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | -7.78 %2024 · WB | |
| Population | 51,384,8942025 · WB | 5,513,2822025 · WB |
| Area | 241,550 km²2023 · WB | 622,980 km²2023 · WB |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDUganda: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Central African Republic: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personUganda: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Central African Republic: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)Uganda: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Central African Republic: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)Uganda: 2025 · Annual average CPI change (%) · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Central African Republic: 2025 · Annual average CPI change (%) · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency stated
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionUganda: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Central African Republic: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)Uganda: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.Central African Republic: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)Uganda: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.Central African Republic: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPUganda: 2024 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Population
- PeopleUganda: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Central African Republic: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceUganda: 2023 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Central African Republic: 2023 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
Uganda to Central African Republic
Central African Republic to Uganda
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
Connections between people
Farid Kaliisa, Uganda’s ambassador resident in Kinshasa and accredited to the Central African Republic, met Marc Mandaba in Bangui, according to the report of 24 July 2026. They addressed trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, minerals, technology and training. They also examined agri-food processing, regional markets, industry and knowledge exchange. [1]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from Uganda living in Central African Republic | ||
| Residents from Central African Republic living in Uganda | ||
| Study and training: Uganda in Central African Republic | ||
| Study and training: Central African Republic in Uganda | ||
| Academic stays: Uganda in Central African Republic | ||
| Academic stays: Central African Republic in Uganda | ||
| Travel: Uganda to Central African Republic | ||
| Travel: Central African Republic to Uganda |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
History and institutional framework
Farid Kaliisa, Uganda’s ambassador resident in Kinshasa and accredited to the Central African Republic, met Marc Mandaba in Bangui, according to the report of 24 July 2026. They addressed trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, minerals, technology and training. [1]
The scale of both economies
Nominal GDP for Uganda is 62 billion USD (2025), compared with 3.1 for Central African Republic (2025). The reference populations are 51.38 and 5.51 million, respectively. In the same year, the economy of Uganda was 20.22 times that of Central African Republic in nominal GDP. The comparison provides context on market size, but does not, on its own, measure influence, well-being or diplomatic closeness. Estimates and their sources retain their labels in the tables. [4] [5]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Review: 2026-10-08
Cooperation and bilateral issues
They also examined agri-food processing, regional markets, industry and knowledge exchange. The embassy committed to continuing contacts with the Central African government, business associations and development partners to identify projects. The statement records discussed opportunities and diplomatic follow-up, not committed investments or an infrastructure programme already under implementation. [1]
What merchandise trade shows
In 2024, merchandise trade between the two countries (Uganda and Central African Republic) totalled 5.5 million current USD. Shipments from the first to the second were 5.5 million; those in the opposite direction, 0.0205 million. The difference between the two flows was 5.5 million, in favour of Uganda. This is a goods balance, not the total balance of the economic relationship: it excludes services, income and transfers. Both directions come from a single customs reporter to avoid adding mirror records. [2]
The partner's share of exports
Sales from Uganda to the partner represented 0.0684% of its worldwide goods exports in 2024. The share compares the same reporter, year and coverage. It measures export concentration, not the percentage of GDP dependent on this relationship. A partner may be important in a specific sector even if its share of total goods trade is small. [2]
Documented trade sectors
Within the selected chapters, electrical and electronic equipment stands out in shipments from Uganda to Central African Republic, at 0.0227 million USD in 2024. The table compares eight selected chapters with the same coverage as the trade total. It is not a complete list or proof that the first item in this selection is the leading product across the entire relationship. A chapter groups numerous goods: machinery and components, for example, do not describe a single business transaction. [3]
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Institutional sources and periods accompany each figure. Annual trade, investment positions, residents and visits are distinct measures. Empty cells do not mean zero. Statements of intent are not presented as project implementation or treaties in force.
- Bilateral relations — UGA-CAF
kinshasa.mofa.go.ug · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Bounded matrix; reporter, partner, year, chapter and direction identified in each record
UN Comtrade; reporters SYC, TJK, TKM, TUR, UGA, UZB, VNM · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Bounded matrix; reporter, partner, year, chapter and direction identified in each record
UN Comtrade; reporters SRB, SYC, TUR, UGA, UZB · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Official series — gdp
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official series — population
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
Additional sources on products and human connections
- UN Comtrade; reporters SRB, SYC, TUR, UGA, UZB
2026-10-08 · Accessed: 2026-10-08 · Bounded matrix; reporter, partner, year, chapter and direction identified in each record.