# Central African Republic — payment codes and schemes

> Source: https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/CF
> extracted at 2026-10-03
> Publisher: Barcoder — encyclopedia of QR, barcode and payment-code standards

## Summary

- **Bitcoin legal tender** adopted 2022, repealed 2023
- **Sango Coin** failed crypto initiative
- **10% internet** access population
- **Limited mobile money** infrastructure
- **BEAC/CEMAC** regional monetary system

## Banking landscape

### Central Bank
- **Name:** BEAC (Bank of Central African States)
- **Website:** https://www.beac.int/
- **Role:** Regional monetary policy (CEMAC zone)

### Major Banks (2024)

| Rank | Bank Name | Type | Digital Platform |
|------|-----------|------|------------------|
| 1 | BPMC | State | Limited |
| 2 | Ecobank CAR | Pan-African | Ecobank Mobile |
| 3 | BSIC | Regional | Limited |
| 4 | Commercial Bank Centrafrique | Local | Limited |

### Market Structure
- **Extremely limited:** Banking access
- **CEMAC zone:** Shared CFA franc
- **Conflict-affected:** Ongoing instability
- **Infrastructure gaps:** Critical limitations

---

## Payment infrastructure

### National Payment Systems

| System | Operator | Type | Status |
|--------|----------|------|--------|
| BEAC Clearing | BEAC | Interbank | Limited |
| Cash | Physical | Primary | Dominant |
| Mobile Money | Telecom | Very limited | Emerging |

### Infrastructure Challenges
- **10% internet** population access (2020)
- **Limited electricity**
- **Conflict displacement**
- **Poverty levels**

### Bitcoin Experiment (Failed)
- April 2022: Legal tender adoption
- Second country after El Salvador
- March 2023: Legislation repealed
- BEAC treaty conflicts

---

## QR code standards

### No Established QR Standard

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **National QR** | None |
| **Mobile Money QR** | Very limited |
| **Adoption** | Minimal |
| **Infrastructure** | Insufficient |

### Cryptocurrency Initiatives (Failed)
- **Sango Coin:** Mid-2022 launch
- Land and e-residency promises
- Failed to attract investment
- Only fraction of tokens sold

### 2025 $CAR Meme Coin
- Heavy social media promotion
- Extreme volatility
- Technical irregularities
- Market manipulation concerns

---

## Mobile payment apps

| App | Provider | QR | Features |
|-----|----------|-------|----------|
| Limited availability | Telecoms | None | Basic transfers |
| Ecobank Mobile | Ecobank | Limited | Banking |

### Mobile Money Limitations
- Infrastructure constraints
- Electricity access issues
- Internet connectivity gaps
- Displacement impact

### Realistic Participation
- Population largely unable to access
- 10% internet penetration
- Poverty and insecurity
- Crypto initiatives unrealistic

---

## Schemes

| Scheme | Type | Symbology | Adoption | Technical standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [BEAC](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/CF/beac) | Regional | Interbank | Limited | — |

## Sources

- [CNBC - Bitcoin Legal Tender](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/28/central-african-republic-adopts-bitcoin-as-legal-tender.html)
- [Central Banking - Crypto Dropped](https://www.centralbanking.com/central-banks/currency/digital-currencies/7956294/car-to-drop-crypto-as-legal-tender)
- [Global Initiative - Crypto Analysis](https://globalinitiative.net/analysis/behind-the-blockchain-cryptocurrency-and-criminal-capture-in-the-central-african-republic/)
- [IMF - CAR Selected Issues](https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/002/2023/156/article-A001-en.xml)
- [Nasdaq - Fintech Capital](https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/how-can-the-central-african-republic-leverage-crypto-to-become-africas-fintech-capital)
- [Africanews - Sango Project](https://www.africanews.com/2022/07/04/central-african-republic-launches-project-for-its-own-cryptocurrency-and-crypto-hub/)
- [Finance in Africa - Crypto Risks](https://financeinafrica.com/news/car-crypto-schemes-risks-state-assets/)
- [African Business - Bitcoin Frozen](https://african.business/2022/07/technology-information/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-central-african-republics-adoption-of-bitcoin)

## Full country report

[CF-central-african-republic.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/CF)