Central Africa
Central Africa is a subregion of the African continent comprising countries in the central equatorial belt, typically including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo, São Tomé and Príncipe, and sometimes Angola and parts of southern Sudan. The region spans approximately 6.6-million square kilometres and is home to about 180-million people. Central Africa is characterised by dense tropical rainforests, particularly the Congo Basin, which forms the world's second-largest rainforest after the Amazon and plays a critical role in global carbon sequestration and climate regulation. The region's economy is heavily dependent on natural resources, including oil, timber, minerals such as cobalt, copper and diamonds, and agricultural products like cocoa, coffee and palm oil. Central Africa faces significant development challenges, including political instability, weak infrastructure, high poverty rates and limited access to healthcare and education. The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) serves as the principal regional bloc, promoting economic integration and cooperation among member states. Major river systems, notably the Congo River and its tributaries, provide vital transport routes and hydroelectric potential. The region's strategic importance stems from its vast natural resources, biodiversity hotspots and position as a key area for climate change mitigation through forest conservation. Central Africa's colonial history, primarily under French, Belgian and Portuguese rule, continues to shape its political and economic landscape today.
Central Africa Updates
Daily Podcast – June 17, 2026
By: Thabi Shomolekae 17th June 2026 Making headlines: Aucamp replaces Steenhuisen as Agriculture Minister; Labour unions urge workers to shun anti-migrant protests; And, EU supports... →
EU supports Ebola response with €493m in vaccines, treatment and health aid
By: Reuters 17th June 2026 The European Commission said on Wednesday it will fund the response to the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa with a €493-million financial aid... →
Internet shutdowns won’t solve Central Africa’s political crises
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 28th April 2026 Silencing the internet during unrest buys governments time but corrodes the trust and economic foundations that stability requires. In Gabon,... →
Nigeria's Dangote refinery boosts exports to ease Africa's supply crunch
By: Reuters 7th April 2026 Nigeria's Dangote refinery, Africa's largest, has increased exports of gasoline and urea to African countries hit by supply disruptions caused by... →
Heatwaves will be worst for rural parts of Africa – new model shows tens of millions face dangerous warming by 2100
26th March 2026 Ask people where heatwaves hit hardest and most will probably say cities, which trap heat in concrete and metal and generate warmth from traffic... →
Cameroon’s contested election sends ripples across fragile border economies
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 29th January 2026 Post-election ‘ghost town’ protests disrupted trade, revealing neighbouring countries’ economic reliance on stability in Cameroon. When Cameroon’s... →
Africa to see modest acceleration in economic growth this year, says UN report
By: Rebecca Campbell 26th January 2026 The UN has released its 'World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026' report, and its launch in Africa took place at the Addis Ababa head office of... →
Gabon plans new housing tax to help tackle rising debt
By: Reuters 18th December 2025 Gabon is planning to introduce a new housing tax in January to finance the Central African oil-producing country's needs as its debt continues to... →
West African bloc rejects Guinea-Bissau's military transition plan
By: Reuters 15th December 2025 West African bloc ECOWAS rejected on Sunday a transition programme announced by Guinea-Bissau’s military rulers and demanded a swift return to... →
How to stay healthy on HIV treatment, and what side effects to look out for – Malawi research
1st December 2025 HIV treatment has delivered life-altering advantages. Antiretroviral therapy has led to a reduced mortality and improved life expectancy for people... →
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