Central African Republic

History of Relations | Diplomatic Representation | Travel Info | Health Requirements | Climate Info | Currency Info | Trade Info | Visits and Meetings | Agreements | Interest Groups/ Organisations

History of Relations

South Africa enjoys full diplomatic relations with the Central African Republic since 23 August 1993. South Africa opened its Embassy in Bangui, Central African Republic on 27 September 2017 while the Embassy of the CAR in Pretoria was established in 2010 and the two countries enjoy cordial relations. South Africa is committed to forging closer strategic cooperation with the Central African Republic, focusing in particular on economic cooperation, and to continue working together in pursuance of continental integration, peace and security.

Diplomatic Representation

South African Representation in Central African Republic

The South African Ambassador to the Central African Republic:

H E Mr B P Ramalebana
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

South African Embassy

5686 Ndekele Anne
Avenue L ’Independence
Bangui
Central African Republic

Tel: +236 75 29 76 72
Tel: +236 75 43 29 48
Tel: +236 75 08 16 84

Central African Republic Representation in South Africa

H E Mr A Nzapayeke
Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotenitary

Embassy of Central African Republic

209 Eastwood
Arcadia
Pretoria
South Africa

Tel: 012 430 2443
Tel: 012 430 2423

Travel Info

Policing is poor in the rural areas of the Northwest and Northeast. There are reports of banditry.

Visa Requirements for South Africans

South Africans require visas for the Central African Republic. For more information contact the South African Embassy in Bangui or Central African Republic Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa
Also contact the Central African Embassy in Paris for those who might travel via France:

Embassy of the Central African Republic
30 Rue des Perchamps
75116 Paris
France

Air Travel

There are no direct flights between Johannesburg and Bangui. It is possible to travel there via Nairobi and Douala through Kenya Airways and ASKY respectively.

Health Requirements

A yellow fever certificate is required. Malaria is a high risk throughout the year. Immunisation is recommended for Hepatitis A and B as well as for tetanus. Bilharzia and rabies are present. Immunisation is recommended for polio.

Immunisation against Meningitis is recommended and HIV risk is HIGH.

Meningitis outbreaks are common during the dry season from December to June.

For further information go to Travelers' Health.

Climate Info

Tropical Climate - humid in the South and dry Sahelo-Sudanese in the north. Hot dry winter and mild hot and wet summers.

For up-to-date weather information click here.

Currency Info

The Central African Republic is a member of the "Communauté Financière Africaine" (African Financial Community) or CFA Franc Zone, made up of a group of West and Central African nations. The CFA, which is the only legal tender, is not freely convertible.

For current exchange rates click here.

State and Official Visits / Bilateral Meetings

Visits from the Central African Republic to South Africa

• Former President Bozize in April 2006 on a Working visit;
• Former President Bozize in February 2007 to sign the MOU on Defence Cooperation;
• Interim President Mrs Catherine Samba-Panza in January 2014 to attend the African Union Heads of State and Government Summit and met with President Jacob Zuma on the margins of the Summit to discuss bilateral matters;
• Minister of Communications Mr Bruno Yapande in October 2015 to sign the Declaration of Intent on the refurbishment of ICT infrastructure in the Central African Republic;
• President Faustin Archange Touadéra undertook a working a working visit to in April 2017 and met with President Zuma to discuss bilateral matters.
• Minister of Media and Communications, Mr Maxime Kazagui, in October 2017 visited South Africa to sign an Agreement with SENTECH for the upgrading of the CAR Radio and Television infrastructure.
• The Minister of Mines, Geology and Hydraulics, Mr Léopold Mboli-Fatrane, in February 2018 and February 2019 to participate in the Mines Indaba in Cape Town. Minister Mboli Fatrane also visited South Africa in October 2018 to attend the Africa Oil Week in Cape Town. Further, on 06 February 2019, on the side-lines of the Mining Indaba, Minister Mboli-Fatrane had a meeting with his South African counterpart, the Minister of Mineral Resources, Minister G. Mantashe.
• Minister of National Defence and Reconstruction of the Army, Ms Marie Noëll KOYARA; Minister of Justice, Human Rights and National Reconciliation and Keeper of the Seals, Mr Flavien Mbata; and Minister of Humanitarian Action and of National Reconciliation, Ms Virginie Mbaïkoua, to attend a workshop on Negotiations and Mediation hosted by ACCORD in Durban in July 2018.
• Minister for Humanitarian Action and National Reconciliation, Ms Virginie Baikoua, in September 2018, to attend a Mediation Workshop with the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (ICJ).
• Minister of Communication and Media, Minister Maxime Kazagui, in September 2018, to attend the International ITU World Telecom.
• In February 2019, CAR Minister of Mines and Geology met with Minister Gwede Mantashe on the margins of Mining Indaba in Cape Town
• In June 2019, Minister Responsible for Disarmament, Demobilisation, Reintegration and Repatriation, Mr Maxime Mokom visited South Africa to attend training hosted by In-Transformation Initiative. Minister also met with International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Director General Mahoai and the Business Unit.
• In July 2019, Minister of National Reconciliation and Humanitarian Action Virginie Mbaikoa visited South Africa. During the visit, the Minister met with Deputy Minister International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini and the Business Unit.
• President Touadera undertook a Working visit to South Africa from 09 to 10 March 2020. He met with President Ramaphosa, and the two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation and issues of mutual interest between the two countries.
• Minister of Energy and Water Mr. Herbert Gontran Djono- Ahaba, 19 to 23 January 2021. During the visit he met with Minister Mineral Resources and Energy, Minister Gwede Mantashe.

Visits from South Africa to the Central African Republic

• Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Mrs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma in November 2003 on working visit;
• Former Minister of Defence, Mr Patrick Lekota in May 2006 to discuss cooperation in the field of defence;
• Former Minister of Defence, Mr Patrick Lekota in December 2006 to discuss defence-related matters.
• Minister of State Security, Mr David Mahlobo, attending the inauguration of President Professor Faustin Archange Touadéra on 30 March 2016.
• Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources, Mr Godfrey Oliphant, in 2016.
• Former Minister of Mineral Resources, Mr Mosebenzi Zwane, in August 2017, to sign the MOU on Cooperation in the Field of Minerals and Geology.
• Special Envoy and Political Advisor to President Ramaphosa Dr Bejani Chauke, in February 2020, to meet with President Touadera
• Minister of state Security, Ms Ayanda Dlodlo visited CAR from 12-14 November 2020.

Bilateral Agreements

If you have any queries with regard to treaties please contact the Treaty Section of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) at 012 351 1000.

Trade Info

For current information on trade statistics between South Africa and Central African Republic, visit the website of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa.

Interest Groups and Information

No Information