List of Central African Republic Prefectures and Capitals

The Central African Republic is divided into 16 administrative prefectures, which are further divided into sub-prefectures and communes. Here is a list of the prefectures in the Central African Republic::

The Central African Republic is a landlocked country in Central Africa, bordered by Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, and Cameroon. The country is divided into 20 prefectures along with 2 economic prefectures and the autonomous capital district of Bangui. Bangui is the national capital and also the largest city in the country.

Much of the country is covered by savannas, forests, rivers, and rural communities spread across large distances. Agriculture, mining, and forestry are important to the economy, although many areas remain lightly populated and difficult to reach during parts of the year.

Key Facts

• National capital: Bangui
• Total population: 5,457,154 (Official estimate 2024)
• Total area: 622,984 km² (240,535 sq miles)
• Currency: Central African CFA Franc (FCFA, XAF)
• Bordering countries: Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cameroon
• Total Prefectures and Administrative Districts: 23
• Total Sub-Prefectures: 84+

List of Prefectures and Capitals of the Central African Republic

Total administrative divisions shown: 23 | Combined population: 5,457,154 | Combined area: 622,984 km²

Largest Prefectures by Area

• Haute-Kotto - 33,456 sq mi (86,650 km²)
• Mbomou - 23,610 sq mi (61,150 km²)
• Bamingui-Bangoran - 22,471 sq mi (58,200 km²)
• Haut-Mbomou - 21,440 sq mi (55,530 km²)
• Ouham - 19,402 sq mi (50,250 km²)
• Ouaka - 19,267 sq mi (49,900 km²)
• Vakaga - 17,954 sq mi (46,500 km²)
• Fertit - 15,431 sq mi (39,967 km²)

Most Populous Prefectures

• Bangui - Population: 1,142,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
• Ouham-Pendé - Population: 470,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
• Ombella-M'Poko - Population: 465,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
• Ouham - Population: 430,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
• Mambéré-Kadéï - Population: 364,795 (Official Estimate 2024)
• Nana-Mambéré - Population: 340,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
• Ouaka - Population: 315,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
• Lobaye - Population: 285,000 (Official Estimate 2024)

Smallest Prefectures by Area

• Bangui - 26 sq mi (67 km²)
• Basse-Oubangui - 2,362 sq mi (6,118 km²)
• Sangha - 3,012 sq mi (7,800 km²)
• Ouham-Fafa - 4,826 sq mi (12,500 km²)
• Limb-Pendé - 5,100 sq mi (13,210 km²)
• Basse-Kotto - 6,797 sq mi (17,604 km²)

Prefectures by Regional Grouping

• Capital District: Bangui
• Central: Kémo
• Central South: Ombella-M'Poko
• Central East: Ouaka
• East Central: Haute-Kotto
• East: Haute-Oubangui
• Far East: Haut-Mbomou
• North: Bamingui-Bangoran
• North Central: Nana-Grébizi, Ouham-Fafa
• Northeast: Vakaga, Fertit
• Northwest: Nana-Mambéré, Ouham, Ouham-Pendé, Limb-Pendé
• South: Basse-Oubangui
• Southeast: Basse-Kotto, Mbomou
• Southwest: Lobaye
• Southwest Forest: Sangha-Mbaéré, Sangha
• West: Mambéré-Kadéï

Landlocked Prefectures

• All prefectures of the Central African Republic are landlocked because the country has no coastline.

Prefectures with Coastline

• None - the Central African Republic is a landlocked country.

Prefectures Sharing Borders with Other Countries

• Chad: Bamingui-Bangoran, Ouham, Ouham-Pendé, Vakaga
• Sudan: Vakaga
• South Sudan: Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Mbomou, Haute-Oubangui
• Democratic Republic of the Congo: Bangui, Basse-Kotto, Basse-Oubangui, Lobaye, Mbomou
• Republic of the Congo: Lobaye, Sangha-Mbaéré, Sangha
• Cameroon: Mambéré-Kadéï, Nana-Mambéré

Sources

• Institut Centrafricain des Statistiques et des Études Économiques et Sociales
• World Bank - Central African Republic Data
• CIA World Factbook - Central African Republic
• Encyclopaedia Britannica - Central African Republic
• United Nations Statistics Division