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Central bank to improve design and quality of Zimbabwe Gold banknotes
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The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) is set to enhance the quality and design of Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) banknotes to align with international standards, addressing public concerns over their durability and usability.
RBZ Governor John Mushayavanhu announced the initiative during the release of the 2025 Monetary Policy Statement on Thursday. He assured the public that new, higher-quality notes would be introduced soon, with further details to follow.
Governor Mushayavanhu outlined plans to ensure the accessibility of the improved notes across the country, particularly in rural areas where financial inclusion remains a challenge.
"Cognisant of the need to ensure the optimal distribution of ZiG notes in the economy, particularly for ease of access in remote areas and to further entrench financial inclusion, the Reserve Bank is embarking on an intensive educational campaign and other initiatives, working with key stakeholders in communities," he said.
He added that the central bank is focused on delivering banknotes that meet global standards: "The rollout of the improved high-quality ZiG notes will be communicated in due course."
The ZiG notes, introduced in mid-2024, faced criticism for their poor quality and low denominations, which limited their practicality. Many Zimbabweans reported that the notes were easily damaged and wore out quickly, complicating everyday transactions.
In rural areas, the lack of higher denominations made ZiG notes inconvenient for larger purchases, leading to limited adoption. The RBZ’s efforts to redesign and improve the notes aim to restore public confidence and ensure broader use.
To promote the adoption of the improved ZiG banknotes, the RBZ plans to launch an educational campaign targeting communities across the country. The initiative will focus on familiarizing citizens with the new notes and ensuring they are accessible in underserved regions.
As the central bank works to address the shortcomings of the initial ZiG rollout, many hope the new notes will enhance convenience and bolster trust in Zimbabwe’s monetary system. The introduction of improved banknotes is expected to play a key role in stabilizing cash transactions and promoting financial inclusivity nationwide.
RBZ Governor John Mushayavanhu announced the initiative during the release of the 2025 Monetary Policy Statement on Thursday. He assured the public that new, higher-quality notes would be introduced soon, with further details to follow.
Governor Mushayavanhu outlined plans to ensure the accessibility of the improved notes across the country, particularly in rural areas where financial inclusion remains a challenge.
"Cognisant of the need to ensure the optimal distribution of ZiG notes in the economy, particularly for ease of access in remote areas and to further entrench financial inclusion, the Reserve Bank is embarking on an intensive educational campaign and other initiatives, working with key stakeholders in communities," he said.
The ZiG notes, introduced in mid-2024, faced criticism for their poor quality and low denominations, which limited their practicality. Many Zimbabweans reported that the notes were easily damaged and wore out quickly, complicating everyday transactions.
In rural areas, the lack of higher denominations made ZiG notes inconvenient for larger purchases, leading to limited adoption. The RBZ’s efforts to redesign and improve the notes aim to restore public confidence and ensure broader use.
To promote the adoption of the improved ZiG banknotes, the RBZ plans to launch an educational campaign targeting communities across the country. The initiative will focus on familiarizing citizens with the new notes and ensuring they are accessible in underserved regions.
As the central bank works to address the shortcomings of the initial ZiG rollout, many hope the new notes will enhance convenience and bolster trust in Zimbabwe’s monetary system. The introduction of improved banknotes is expected to play a key role in stabilizing cash transactions and promoting financial inclusivity nationwide.
Source - online
