The Central African Republic (CAR) became the second country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in April 2022, following El Salvador's lead. However, unlike El Salvador's relatively structured approach, CAR's adoption has been marked by controversy, limited implementation, and questions about the initiative's long-term viability in one of the world's poorest and least connected nations.
Bitcoin Adoption
The Decision
On April 27, 2022, the CAR's National Assembly unanimously approved a bill making Bitcoin legal tender alongside the CFA franc (the regional currency shared with other Central African states). President Faustin-Archange Touadéra championed the initiative.
Sango Project
In May 2022, Touadéra announced Sango, an ambitious digital initiative that included:
- A crypto hub in the capital Bangui
- "Sango Coin" — a national cryptocurrency (distinct from Bitcoin)
- Citizenship-by-investment programs payable in crypto
- Plans for a crypto island economic zone
Challenges
The initiative has faced significant obstacles:
- Infrastructure: CAR has extremely limited internet connectivity (~11% internet penetration) and electricity access (~15% of population)
- CEMAC opposition: The Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), which oversees the CFA franc, objected to the adoption, arguing it violated regional monetary agreements
- Constitutional challenge: CAR's Constitutional Court struck down parts of the Sango project, including citizenship-by-crypto provisions
- Implementation: Little evidence of actual Bitcoin usage on the ground
- Governance concerns: Critics have linked the initiative to Russian influence (via Wagner Group/Africa Corps presence in CAR)
Repeal
In March 2023, CAR's parliament unanimously voted to repeal Bitcoin as legal tender. The Constitutional Court had already declared aspects of the initiative unlawful. With only ~10% internet penetration, meaningful adoption was never feasible. The Sango project has effectively been abandoned.
News Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Apr 2022 | National Assembly adopts Bitcoin as legal tender |
| May 2022 | Sango project announced by President Touadéra |
| Aug 2022 | Constitutional Court strikes down parts of Sango project |
| 2022-2023 | CEMAC opposes adoption; implementation stalls |
| Mar 2023 | Parliament unanimously repeals Bitcoin as legal tender |
| 2024-2025 | Sango project abandoned; no Bitcoin infrastructure remains |
News last updated: April 2026