Natural resources of Central African Republic
Oil, gas, minerals, forests and water in the Central African Republic: what it produces, how it ranks in the world, who mines it and what it earns. Every figure is from an official source and is updated when the source is.
Resource rents, share of GDP (2021)
10.3 %
Resources, share of goods exports (2024)
27.5 %
Forest, share of land (2024)
72.5 %
Source: World Bank; UN Comtrade; U.S. Energy Information Administration. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Mining and minerals
The U.S. Geological Survey records 2 mineral commodities with published production in the Central African Republic between 2019 and 2023, from metals and gemstones to industrial minerals and fuels. The table includes processed products such as cement and steel, which USGS reports alongside raw minerals.
Showing 2 of 2
| Gold, mine, Au content | Metals | kilograms | 359 | 401 | 858 | 1,507 | 1,831 | 2022: r |
| Diamond, gem and industrial | Industrial Minerals | carats | 27,549 | 61,844 | 92,772 | 118,044 | 111,918 | Not published |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Minerals Yearbook, country tables. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Showing 5 of 5
| Diamond | Artisanal mining operations | Various sites across the country, notably within the Prefectures of Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, and Sangha-Mbaere | 93,000 | carats |
| Ore | Artisanal mining operations | Various sites across the country, notably within the Prefectures of Basse-Kotto, Mambere- Kadei, Nana-Mambere, and Ouaka | Not published | Not published |
| Refinery | Government | IBI gold foundry, District 2, Bangui | Not published | Not published |
| Refinery | Government | Sawa Sawa foundry, District 1, Bangui | Not published | Not published |
| Refinery | Societé Fonderie D'or Gonga | Gonga foundry, Bangui | Not published | Not published |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Minerals Yearbook 2021, Central African Republic. Last checked 24 October 2026.
What natural resources earn
Natural resource rents were 10.3% of GDP in 2021, with forests and timber the largest part. That ranks the Central African Republic 23rd of 54 African countries. See all 54.
View the data as a table
| Period | Minerals | Forests |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 0.0 % | 7.9 % |
| 2011 | 0.0 % | 8.4 % |
| 2012 | 0.0 % | 9.1 % |
| 2013 | 0.0 % | 13.2 % |
| 2014 | 0.0 % | 11.2 % |
| 2015 | 0.0 % | 12.7 % |
| 2016 | 0.0 % | 13.0 % |
| 2017 | 0.0 % | 13.4 % |
| 2018 | 0.1 % | 11.1 % |
| 2019 | 0.1 % | 9.7 % |
| 2020 | 0.2 % | 9.7 % |
| 2021 | 0.8 % | 9.5 % |
| 2022 | Not published | Not published |
| 2023 | Not published | Not published |
| 2024 | Not published | Not published |
| 2025 | Not published | Not published |
| 2026 | Not published | Not published |
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Forest, share of land (2024)
72.5 %
Arable land, share of land (2024)
2.9 %
Renewable fresh water per person (2022)
27,658 m³
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Method and sources
Oil, gas and coal output and coal reserves are from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Oil and gas proved reserves are the EIA figures republished by Our World in Data; oil is converted from cubic metres to barrels at the standard factor. World production, reserves and ranks are from the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries, ranked among the countries USGS names. The full list of commodities and the companies that mine them are from the USGS Minerals Yearbook country tables, which run a few years behind. Rents, land and water are from the World Bank, and export shares from UN Comtrade. Nothing is estimated by us. Figures last checked on 24 October 2026.
USGS country page for Central African Republic. EIA international energy data. World Bank resource rents.
Frequently asked questions
What natural resources does the Central African Republic have?
The Central African Republic's main natural resources are timber, gold and diamond. Gold, diamonds and precious metals made up 22% of its goods exports in 2024, and all resources together 27.5%. The World Bank puts natural resource rents at 10.3% of GDP in 2021, mostly from forests and timber.
Does the Central African Republic produce oil?
The U.S. Energy Information Administration records no meaningful crude oil production for the Central African Republic in 2025.
What is the Central African Republic's most valuable natural resource?
By export earnings, gold, diamonds and precious metals: 22% of goods exports in 2024, according to UN Comtrade.
How much do natural resources contribute to the Central African Republic's economy?
Natural resource rents, the value of resources extracted minus the cost of extracting them, were 10.3% of GDP in 2021. That ranks the Central African Republic 23rd of 54 African countries.
Which companies mine in the Central African Republic?
The U.S. Geological Survey's 2021 list of the Central African Republic's mineral industry names 2 operating companies, including Government and Societé Fonderie D'or Gonga. The full list is on this page.