The office of Prime Minister, the head of government, was created when the Central African Republic became an autonomous territory of France in December 1958.

President Jean-Bédel Bokassa restored the office of Prime Minister to assist him in governing the country in 1975, shortly before he declared himself Emperor.

Patassé continued serving as prime minister after Bokassa declared the establishment of the Central African Empire in December 1976.

Henri Maïdou succeeded Patassé and continued serving as prime minister after Bokassa was overthrown from power.

According to a ceasefire agreement signed between the government and the Séléka rebel coalition on 11 January 2013, President François Bozizé was required to appoint a new Prime Minister from the political opposition after the National Assembly of the Central African Republic is dissolved and legislative elections are held.