Meeting on 10 August 2026 in Bangui, the Steering Committee (COPIL) of the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) reviewed the implementation status of a portfolio of nine projects representing nearly $29 million in investments. Bringing together the Central African Government, the United Nations, technical and financial partners, civil society, and the private sector, the meeting also served to define the PBF's strategic priorities for the year 2027.
The Steering Committee of the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) held its ordinary session in Bangui to take stock of ongoing investments and establish intervention priorities for the coming years. The meeting brought together representatives from the Central African Government, the United Nations system, international financial institutions, the European Union, bilateral partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector.
During this session, Committee members reviewed the performance of the nine projects currently funded by the PBF in the Central African Republic, with an estimated total value of nearly $29 million. Discussions focused on results achieved on the ground, challenges related to activity implementation, and lessons learned from joint monitoring missions conducted across several of the country's prefectures.
Participants highlighted the Steering Committee's central role as a shared governance mechanism that promotes strategic dialogue, transparency, and mutual accountability among national institutions, technical and financial partners, and project beneficiaries.
Operational challenges thoroughly analyzed
COPIL members examined several issues regarding project performance. Among the concerns raised were discrepancies between disbursement rates and the actual execution level of activities, operational constraints encountered on the ground, requests for program extensions, and the implementation capacities of national partners.
The geographic distribution of interventions was also analyzed to ensure that investments continue to prioritize the most fragile areas and those most exposed to conflict risks.
Discussions helped identify several avenues for improvement aimed at increasing the impact of PBF-funded interventions. Participants particularly recommended capacity building for national partners, greater accountability toward local authorities and beneficiary communities, and the development of participatory monitoring mechanisms.
The Committee commended experiences already conducted in several prefectures through community-based monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, which are considered effective tools for measuring the real impact of peacebuilding actions.
Innovative partnerships to mobilize more resources
Beyond reviewing ongoing projects, Committee members validated the PBF's main programmatic directions for 2027.
Four priority areas were selected: promoting peaceful transhumance, supporting transitional justice, supporting local development and peacebuilding, and strengthening youth inclusion in accordance with UN Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace, and Security.
In an international context marked by a contraction in development aid funding, participants also explored new resource mobilization opportunities.
Among the most promising initiatives is the strategic partnership between the PBF and the African Development Bank (AfDB). This co-financing mechanism aims to combine the AfDB's productive investments with PBF actions designed to strengthen social cohesion and prevent conflict.
According to partners, this innovative approach would amplify the impact of development investments while making a lasting contribution to peacebuilding.
"We also discussed, in general terms, how the PBF can continue to support the Central African Republic and, with the ministers, how we can continue to mobilize more PBF resources for the country," declared Mohamed Ag Ayoya, United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Central African Republic.
Strengthened governance serving the population
The recommendations adopted at the end of the session reflect the partners' shared determination to improve the governance and effectiveness of PBF-funded interventions.
They place particular emphasis on greater national ownership of projects, strengthened dialogue with local authorities and beneficiary populations, increased private sector involvement, and enhanced coordination between ministries and decentralized state services.
The Committee also requested a reorientation of certain projects included in the 2027 pipeline to ensure a more strategic allocation of resources, taking into account persistent vulnerabilities and emerging national priorities.
For Marc Mandaba, Minister of Economy, Planning, and International Cooperation, this approach is essential to maximize the impact of investments for the population.
"In a context where needs remain significant, we must ensure that every investment contributes effectively to national peacebuilding priorities and direct resources where their impact will be most significant for the Central African people," he emphasized.
The session concluded with a consensus on the need to strengthen strategic alignment between the United Nations, international financial institutions, and all multilateral partners to enhance the effectiveness of investments dedicated to peace.
Through this concerted approach, the members of the Steering Committee aim to make every dollar invested a concrete lever for stability, social cohesion, and sustainable development in the Central African Republic.
Clarisse Zihindula E'ka
