Image source, Getty ImagesThe Central African Republic is the second country to approve the use of digital currency.
CAR is one of the world's least developed countries, but it is rich in diamonds, gold and uranium.
It has been wracked by conflict for decades and is a close ally of Russia.
According to a statement from the CAR presidency, lawmakers voted unanimously to use Bitcoins as legal tender.
It said that the move puts CAR on the map of the world's boldest and most visionary countries.
The International Monetary Fund was against the move by El Salvador to adopt the digital currency, saying it increased the risk of financial instability.
Some people are worried that cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin could make it easier for criminals to launder money, and that they are harmful to the environment because they use so much electricity.
According to the WorldData website, only 4% of people in CAR had access to the internet in 2019.
Most of the former French colonies in Africa use the French-backed CFA Franc as their currency.
There is a contest for influence over the resource-rich country between Russia and France.
The Russian partner is facing international sanctions and the context encourages suspicion, according to a French analyst.
The response was mixed in the capital.
It would make life easier, as transactions can be made with a phone and it is easy to convert a currency to another.
Businessmen will no longer have to walk around with suitcases of CFA Francs that will have to be converted into dollars or any other currency to make purchases abroad, he said.
He argued that the CFA was not being used to benefit Africa. Several countries are calling for the currency to be dropped by those who see it as a relic of the colonial era, which would allow France to continue to exercise economic control.
The adoption of thecryptocurrencies was thought to be irresponsible by a computer scientist.
He said that the CAR had more pressing issues such as security, education and access to drinking water, while internet access was still underdeveloped.
Image source, AFPThe CAR has suffered from conflict since 1960.
The mostly Christian country was taken over by mainly Muslim rebels. Self-defence militias were formed to fight back.
The country shifted its alliance from France to Russia after President Faustin-Archange Touad came to office.
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