Namibia unveils upgraded banknotes and brand-new coin series!

The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has officially launched a new generation of upgraded banknotes and completely redesigned coins, marking a major milestone as the central bank celebrates its 35th anniversary.
Under the theme “Our Currency, Our Heritage, Our Pride – Meet the Next Generation of the Namibia Dollar,” the new banknotes and coins are set to enter circulation in Namibia in August 2025. The upgrades are not just cosmetic - they include cutting-edge security features, improved durability, and inclusive design for visually impaired users.

Highlights of the upgraded banknotes:

• Modern look with richer colors and cleaner design.
• Enhanced security features to prevent counterfeiting.
• Polymer-paper hybrid substrate for N$10 and N$20 notes.
• Continuation of national icons like Dr. Sam Nujoma and Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi, and reverse-side wildlife imagery.

Key features of the new coin series:

• Lighter, smaller, and more durable.
• Thematic design representing Namibia’s key economic sectors:
• N$0.10 – Pearl millet (Agriculture)
• N$0.20 – Renewable energy (Manufacturing)
• N$0.50 – Sossusvlei & Deadvlei (Tourism)
• N$1.00 – Trade and retail (Commerce)
• N$5.00 – Rough & polished diamonds (Mining)

BoN Governor Johannes !Gawaxab described the upgrade as a bold step forward, emphasizing that currency is more than a means of payment - it’s a symbol of national identity, confidence, and sovereignty. President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah echoed this sentiment, calling the launch a reaffirmation of Namibia's economic vision and pride.

To ensure a smooth rollout, the old and new currency will co-circulate, and BoN will launch a nationwide awareness campaign in Namibia to educate the public on new features and security enhancements.

 

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Zambia to rebase the Kwacha on 01 Jan 2013

In January 2012 the Government of Zambia approved the recommendation of the Bank of Zambia (BOZ) Board to rebase the national currency, the Zambian Kwacha, by lopping off three zeros. The date for the actual changeover to the rebased currency and the introduction of new banknotes & coins is set to be 01 January 2013. Zambia will replace the old notes and coins with new 100 Kwacha, 50 Kwacha, 20 Kwacha, 10 Kwacha, 5 Kwacha and 2 Kwacha banknotes, as well as 1 Kwacha, 50 Ngwee, 10 Ngwee and 5 Ngwee coins.

(c) Cavmont Bank (click on screenshot to enlarge or here to download the original pdf)

The public in Zambia is given a six-month window in which people will be able to transact using the current and rebased notes after which transactions would only be done using rebased notes.

South Africa to phase out the 5ct coin

South Africa will no longer be making 5 cent coins, says Cabinet spokesperson Jimmy Manyi.
Briefing the media on Thursday, Manyi said at its ordinary meeting on Wednesday that Cabinet had noted the discontinuation of the production of the South African 5 cent denomination coin.
Further to this, the 10 cent denomination coin is to be replaced with a new 10 cent denomination coin with effect from April next year.
"The new proposed 10 cent denomination coin will remain the same size. The metal content will change from the previous bronze-plated steel to copper-plated steel. This will result in the reduction in cost of producing these coins," said Manyi.
Various commemorative coin designs for 2012 were also approved by Cabinet, including 2012 Natura series 24 carat gold coins, a 2012 R2 Crown to mark the Olympic Games and the Centenary of the Race to the South Pole. (via Buanews)