CAR's Crypto Initiative "Sango" Not Backed by World Bank

Earlier in April, the Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra provided Bitcoin (BTC) legal tender status. Later on, on May 24, the Central African Republic (CAR) announced that it would launch an official cryptocurrency hub named “Sango”, the first crypto initiative in the country.

However, the World Bank expressed concern over CAR’s intentions to initiate the crypto hub and stated that “the World Bank is not supporting ‘Sango – The First Crypto Initiative Project’” since it is not related to any sort of crypto initiative.

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Moreover, the international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments suggested that it will not fund the crypto hub due to its lack of transparency and the potential impact on financial inclusion to make financial products and services accessible and affordable to all individuals and businesses.

“We have concerns regarding transparency as well as the potential implications for financial inclusion, the financial sector and public finance at large, in addition to environmental shortcomings.”

As stated in the official document explaining the “Sango” initiative, the government got clearance for a $35 million fund from The World Bank to support the country’s digitization of the public sector such as improving digital bank payments, "not the crypto project dubbed Sango", the lender stated.

According to the announcement, President Touadéra believes that such a crypto project would “reshape CAR’s financial system” by helping crowd-fund infrastructure projects.

CAR is one of many central African nations that utilize one of two variants of the CFA franc, along with Cameroon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo. The monetary regulations of the country need consultation on changes in currency policy.

On top of that, the country plans to create a digital national bank. As of now, CAR’s economy is worth about $2.3 billion.

“Sango" was created by the National Assembly and is endorsed by the Central African Republic president and the government. Currently, it is still not clear how and when the country will implement such an idea.

Aaron S., Editor-In-Chief

Having completed a Master’s degree in Economics, Politics, and Cultures of the East Asia region, Aaron has written scientific papers analyzing the differences between Western and Collective forms of capitalism in the post-World War II era.
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