Editing Bangui (section)

== Economy ==
[[File:Trading methods in Bangui Market.jpg|thumb|right|Local traders]]
Bangui serves as an administrative, trade, and commercial centre. During the Second World War the country became wealthier as exports of rubber, cotton, coffee, uranium and diamonds increased.{{Sfn|Eyoh|Zeleza|2002|p=45}} After the war, the employment of local people in mainstream administration led to the development of the country's infrastructure, which increased trade while slowing the national movement for independence.{{Sfn|Eyoh|Zeleza|2002|p=45}}

During David Dacko's presidency from 1960 to 1966, there was a significant increase in the production of [[diamond]]s.{{sfn|Law|2011|p=7}} This occurred when the monopoly of the French concessionary companies was ended with a law allowing local citizens to dig for diamonds. After Dacko set up a [[diamond cutting]] factory at Bangui, diamonds became the country's leading export. But by the end of his five-year tenure, rampant corruption and financial indiscipline had resulted in workers being left unpaid and civil unrest ensued. Bokassa then seized power in a military coup in 1966.{{sfn|Law|2011|p=7}}
Concurrently, Bangui also became the key centre for social and cultural activity in the region, when new institutions were established in the city. However, political turmoil in the country, rampant corruption, and the dictatorial rule of President Bokassa centred in the city, brought in economic recession in the 1970s exacerbated by a fall in international prices for its major exports. This caused impoverishment of the people and severe conflict, further compounded by refugees migrating from troubled neighbouring countries.{{Sfn|Eyoh|Zeleza|2002|p=45}}

Bangui received its first bank in 1946 when a branch of the Paris-based [[Banque de l'Afrique Occidentale]] was established there. Arab sellers dominated the city, and it was historically an important centre for [[ivory]] trading.<ref name="Information1980">{{cite book|title=New Scientist|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_80VdP6yOSOoC|access-date=30 March 2013|date=3 July 1980|publisher=Reed Business Information|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_80VdP6yOSOoC/page/n34 33]|issn=0262-4079}}</ref> Bangui manufactures include [[textiles]], food products, beer, [[shoes]], and [[soap]].{{Sfn|Eyoh|Zeleza|2002|p=45}} The main exports are [[cotton]], [[rubber]], [[timber]], [[coffee]], and [[sisal]].{{Sfn|Eyoh|Zeleza|2002|p=45}} Because of the ongoing strife, unemployment hovered near 23% in the city {{As of|2001|lc=on}}. [[Ngaragba Central Prison]], the national prison for men, is located in Bangui. {{As of|2007}}, it had 476 inmates; prison conditions are reported to be poor.{{Sfn|Egyesült|2007|p=87}}