The African Development Bank (AfDB) organised a high-level workshop from June 10 to 13 in the Central African Republic capital, aimed at strengthening national capacities to combat illicit financial flows and regulate resource-backed loans.
Bringing together 80 participants from key ministries, the private sector, civil society, and local communities, the workshop was held as part of the GONAT project, which promotes more transparent, equitable, and inclusive management of extractive resources.
Discussions focused on the risks associated with the growing use of natural resource-backed loans to finance infrastructure projects.
The Minister of Mines Rufin Benam Beltoungou warned of the dangers of poorly managed debt in the absence of strong institutional frameworks.
The participants received training on various tools for detecting illicit flows, including the PCM method and international indices such as the Financial Secrecy Index. These tools help identify discrepancies between declared exports and customs data, particularly in the gold and diamond sectors.
The workshop also emphasized the importance of including women in resource governance.
“Our goal is to achieve at least 40% female participation. For us, sustainable development requires listening to women and local communities,” said Mamady Souaré, AfDB Country Officer for the Central African Republic.
Eric Ogunleye, Director of the African Development Institute, welcomed the outcomes of the workshop, saying they would help improve natural resource governance and enhance transparency in the extractive sector in the CAR.
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