Mthuli Ncube, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, has officially gazetted a new family of ZiG banknotes, set to enter circulation on 7 April 2026. The announcement follows last week’s unveiling by John Mushayavanhu, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), during the presentation of the 2026 Monetary Policy Statement.
The statutory instrument, published in the Government Gazette, gives legal effect to the new series, which includes ZiG10, ZiG20, ZiG50, ZiG100, and ZiG200 banknotes, designed with enhanced security features to improve durability and protect against counterfeiting.
“The Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion hereby, in terms of section 40(3) of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act [Chapter 22:15], made the following notice specifying the matters determined by the President in terms of subsection (2) of that section:—This notice may be cited as the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (Issue of Series of New ZiG10, ZiG20, ZiG50, ZiG100 and ZiG200 Banknotes) Notice, 2026,” the statutory instrument reads.
The new ZiG10 and ZiG20 notes will co-circulate with existing notes issued under Statutory Instrument 60 of 2024 for an indefinite period.
Each denomination has been designed with multiple anti-counterfeiting elements. The front of the ZiG10 note features the RBZ logo with three balancing rocks using intaglio printing, a buffalo image, gold bars, a peak dynamic image of the Zimbabwe Bird, a latent “ZiG” image, and an embedded magnetic security thread inscribed “ZIG10.” A watermark of the Zimbabwe Bird and visually impaired recognition features are also included. The reverse side depicts the Matopo Hills landmark, additional gold bars, and a see-through Zimbabwe Bird.
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The ZiG20 note carries the RBZ logo, an intaglio-printed elephant, gold bars, a peak dynamic Zimbabwe Bird image, a latent “ZiG” image, and a magnetic security thread inscribed “ZIG20.” Its reverse side features the Parliament building and a see-through Zimbabwe Bird facing right.
The ZiG50, ZiG100, and ZiG200 notes continue this pattern, each showcasing distinctive wildlife—rhinoceros, leopard, and lion, respectively—alongside colour-shifting elements, intaglio printing, embedded security threads, watermarks, and other anti-counterfeiting measures. The ZiG100 and ZiG200 feature colour-shifting images and advanced security threads, reflecting modern banknote design standards.
According to the statutory instrument, these design features are intended to safeguard the currency while enhancing note durability, usability, and recognition for visually impaired users.
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The new banknotes mark a significant step in Zimbabwe’s ongoing efforts to modernize its currency system and strengthen public confidence in the ZiG, which was introduced as part of broader monetary reforms in recent years.
The RBZ said that the new notes will be gradually distributed ahead of 7 April 2026, ensuring sufficient supply in circulation and coexisting with select existing notes until fully integrated.
The launch highlights Zimbabwe’s commitment to securing its national currency, preventing counterfeiting, and incorporating advanced design features used in modern banknote production globally.
