Zambian kwacha

TheKwacha(ISO 4217code: ZMW) is the currency ofZambia.It is subdivided into 100Ngwee.

Zambian kwacha

ISO 4217
Code	ZMW (numeric:967) before 2013:ZMK
Subunit	0.01
Unit
Symbol	K, ZK‎
Denominations
Subunit
1⁄100	ngwee
Banknotes
Freq. used	2, 5, 10, 20,50,100kwacha
Coins
Freq. used	5, 10, 50 ngwee, 1 kwacha
Demographics
Official user(s)	Zambia
Unofficial user(s)	Zimbabwe Malawi (used in the border areas betweenZambia & Zimbabweand alsoZambia & Malawi)
Issuance
Central bank	Bank of Zambia
Website	www.boz.zm
Printer	G&D Johan Enschede en Zonen
Website	www.gi-de www.joh-enschede.nl
Valuation
Inflation	15.78%
Source	www.zamstats.gov.zm,January 2024 est.
Method	CPI

Etymology

The namekwachaderives from theNyanja,Bemba,andTonga languageword for "dawn", alluding to the Zambian nationalist slogan of a "new dawn of freedom". The namengweetranslates as "bright" in theNyanja language.

History

Prior toindependencein 1964, theRhodesia and Nyasaland poundwas the legal tender of the BritishprotectorateofNorthern Rhodesia.Banknotes of 10 shillings, 1, 5, and 10 pounds issued by the Central Africa Currency Board were in circulation, together with coins of1⁄2,1, 3, 6 pence, and 1, 2,2+1⁄2,and 5 shillings. After independence, theBank of Zambiaissued the first Zambian currency, theZambian pound,in 1964. The issued paper bills and coins were of similar denominations as these used before independence, except for the 10 pounds note, which was never issued by the Bank of Zambia.A new design to depict the newly independent country's history and struggle was adopted. The two currencies – the Rhodesia and Nyasaland pound and the Zambian pound, were allowed to circulate in parallel until December 15, 1965, when the South Rhodesian pound bills and coins were withdrawn from circulation, except for the 3 pence coin which was allowed to circulate alongside its Zambian alternative for a brief period.

On July 1, 1966, theparliamentapproved the arrangements of the decimal currency system (Act 40 of 1966), changing the main currency unit to Kwacha, with one kwacha being equal to 100 ngwee. Theexchange ratewas set to one kwacha equivalent to ten Zambian shillings, or one half of a Zambian pound. Thus, by January 16, 1968, all Zambian pound notes and coins were removed fromcirculationand replaced by the new kwacha notes, and ngwee coins. The Zambian pound notes of 10 shillings, 1, and 5 pounds were changed into 1, 2 and 10 kwacha respectively, a note of 50 ngwee was issued to replace the old 5 shillings coin, alongside a new note of 20 kwacha.Ngwee coins with the denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 ngwee replacing the existing 1, 3, 6 pence, 1, and 2 shillings coins respectively.The Zambian pound notes, and coins ceased to be a legal tender on January 31, 1974.

At the very beginning, the kwacha was pegged to thepound sterlingat afixed rateof 1.7094 kwacha per 1 pound. Yet, after the devaluation of theUS dollaron August 15, 1971, Zambia broke all its currency's ties to the British monetary unit, and pegged the kwacha to the American monetary unit. These reforms resulted in a reduction of the kwacha'sgold standardby 7.8%. A few months later, the BritishChancellor of the ExchequerAnthony Barber,announced the demise of theSterling area,andflotationof the sterling pound, causing Zambia to renounce the monetary privileges once enjoyed as a member state.

Throughout the years, the Zambian currency suffered high inflation, forcing the Bank of Zambia to introduce high value denominations in 2003, including 20,000 bills to facilitate transactions. In 2013, a new,redenominatedkwacha was introduced.The value of Zambian currency dropped following redenomination; the exchange rate was 22 kwacha to one U.S. dollar in April 2021. After the2021 Zambian general electionsaw a defeat forEdgar Lungu,the currency's depreciation was reversed; as of 27 August 2021one U.S. dollar was exchanged for about 16 kwacha.Since the inauguration of president Hakainde Hichilema in 2021, the kwacha has enjoyed a steady exchange rate hovering around 17 to 19 per one U.S dollar well into the year 2023, however following the drought, reduced economic activity and upto 15 hours of loadshedding to name a few current issues the economy has stagnated and the kwacha has since deprecated to an all time high of one U.S dollar per 27 Zambian kwacha.

Coins

5 kwacha in 1992
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Coat of arms	Value

In 1968, bronze 1 and 2 ngwee and cupro-nickel 5, 10 and 20 ngwee were introduced. These coins all depicted presidentKenneth Kaundaon the obverse and flora and fauna on the reverse. A twelve sided 50 ngwee coin was introduced in 1979 to replace the 50 ngwee note and featured commemorativeFAOthemes.

(click for image).

In 1982, copper-clad-steel replacedbronzein the 1 and 2 ngwee. These two were struck until 1983, with production of the 5 and 10 ngwee ceasing in 1987 and that of the 20 ngwee in 1988. Nickel-brass 1 kwacha coins were introduced in 1989 and depicted "Bank of Zambia" on the edges. The period of circulation for this coin was brief as inflation rates skyrocketed.

In 1992, a new, smaller coinage was introduced consisting of nickel-plated-steel 25 and 50 ngwee and brass 1, 5 and 10 kwacha. The coins depict the national crest on the obverse and native fauna on the reverse. The coins were issued only one year and then discontinued as the economic crisis dragged on.

All these coins, both from the older and newer series still remain legal tender. However, the value of the metal in the coins is worth more than their irrelevant face value, so they are never seen or used in normal trade. The only place coins might be seen today is when they are sold as souvenirs to tourists.

On January 1, 2013, new coins were introduced, namely for 5, 10, 50 ngwee and 1 kwacha.

Coins of the new kwacha (2013 series)

Denomination	Dates
5 ngwee	2013–present
10 ngwee	2013–present
50 ngwee	2013–present
1 kwacha	2013–present

Coins of the Zambian kwacha (2012 "Revaluation" issue)
Value	Technical parameters				Description			Date of issue
	Diameter	Thickness	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	Date
5 ngwee	19 mm	1.55 mm	Nickel-plated steel	Plain	Coat of arms of Zambia	Zambezi indigobird	2012	January 1, 2013
10 ngwee	20 mm	1.57 mm	Brass-plated steel	Plain	Coat of arms of Zambia	Eland	2012	January 1, 2013
50 ngwee	21 mm	1.60 mm	Brass-plated steel	Reeded	Coat of arms of Zambia	African elephant	2012	January 1, 2013
1 kwacha	24 mm	1.73 mm	Nickel-plated steel	Reeded	Coat of arms of Zambia	Zambian barbet	2012	January 1, 2013

Banknotes

The Zambian kwacha was first issued in 1968 to replace the Zambian pound. The design of the kwacha bill changed as time went on, also, different bills were either introduced in or withdrawn from circulation. Seven emissions of the first kwacha are known to exist, while only one emission of the second kwacha was introduced in circulation on January 1, 2013, and still existing since then without any changes in design or security features. Each emission share similar general features in design throughout all the banknotes, with slight changes concerning the colors and the activity based theme on the reverse of the banknotes.

First kwacha (1968–2012)

First issue (1968)

The first issue of the first kwacha was issued in 1968. The series comprised five banknotes of 50 ngwee, 1, 2, 10, and 20 kwacha. The obverse of the five banknotes featured a portrait of presidentKenneth Kaundain tribal outfit on the right, together with theCoat of Arms of Zambiaon the left on the 50 ngwee banknote, or at upper center on the kwacha banknotes. The reverse showed different activity based themes reflecting life in Zambia. The banknotes were printed byThomas De La Rue & Co. Limited,and bore the signature of Dr Justin B. Zulu, Bank of Zambia's second governor. Apart from the 50 ngwee banknote, the kwacha banknotes had president Kenneth Kaunda as a watermark.Specimen banknoteswere issued for each denomination, with the word SPECIMENoverprintin redsanson both the obverse and reverse.

Denomination	Pick	Obverse	Reverse	F.I1	L.I2	Description
Fifty Ngwee	P-4			1968	1968	Obverse:Red-violet on multicolorunderprint.Aportraitof presidentKenneth Kaundain tribal outfit on the right.Coat of Armson the left. A dot between the currency symbol and face value. Reverse:Southern lechwein theKafue Flats. Watermark:None
One Kwacha	P-5			1968	1968	Obverse:Dark brown on multicolorunderprint.Aportraitof presidentKenneth Kaundain tribal outfit on the right.Coat of Armsat upper center. A dot between the currency symbol and face value. Reverse:Farmer plowing field withtractor.Another two farmers plowing the same field with fouroxen. Watermark:PresidentKenneth Kaunda
Two Kwacha	P-6			1968	1968	Obverse:Green on multicolorunderprint.Aportraitof presidentKenneth Kaundain tribal outfit on the right.Coat of Armsat upper center. A dot between the currency symbol and face value. Reverse:Copper mining facility. Mining tower at the center, and conveyor belt on the left. Watermark:PresidentKenneth Kaunda
Ten Kwacha	P-7			1968	1968	Obverse:Blue on multicolorunderprint.Aportraitof presidentKenneth Kaundain tribal outfit on the right.Coat of Armsat upper center. A dot between the currency symbol and face value. Reverse:Victoria Fallson theZambezi Riverat center. Watermark:PresidentKenneth Kaunda
Twenty Kwacha	P-8			1968	1968	Obverse:Purple on multicolorunderprint.Aportraitof presidentKenneth Kaundain tribal outfit on the right.Coat of Armsat upper center. A dot between the currency symbol and face value. Reverse:National Assemblybuilding inLusakaat center. Watermark:PresidentKenneth Kaunda

¹First Issued,refers to the year of first issue of the actual banknote from the same emission.
²Last Issued:refers to the year of last issue of the actual banknote from the same emission.

Second emission (1969–1973)

In 1969, a second emission of the Zambian kwacha was issued. Initially, the emission comprised the same five banknotes of the first emission, and all five denominations bore the signatures of Dr Justin B. Zulu, Mr Valentine S. Musakanya, and that of Mr Bitwell R. Kuwani, the second, third, and forth governors of the Bank of Zambia, respectively, except for the 50 ngwee bills that never existed with Dr Zulu's signature, as well as the 1 kwacha bills that never showed Mr Kuwani's signature. The second emission banknotes were exactly similar to these of the first emission, except for a slight difference, in which the dot (•) between the currency symbol and the face value was removed. The banknotes were printed byThomas De La Rue & Co. Limited,andspecimen banknoteswere issued for each denomination, with the word SPECIMENoverprintin redsanson both the obverse and reverse.

Denomination	Pick	Obverse	Reverse	F.I1	L.I2	Description
Fifty Ngwee	P-9			1970	1972	Obverse:Red-violet on multicolorunderprint.Aportraitof presidentKenneth Kaundain tribal outfit on the right.Coat of Armson the left. No dot between the currency symbol and face value. Reverse:Southern lechwein theKafue Flats. Watermark:PresidentKenneth Kaunda
One Kwacha	P-10			1969	1972	Obverse:Dark brown on multicolorunderprint.Aportraitof presidentKenneth Kaundain tribal outfit on the right.Coat of Armsat upper center. No dot between the currency symbol and face value. Reverse:Farmer plowing field withtractor.Another two farmers plowing the same field with fouroxen. Watermark:PresidentKenneth Kaunda
Two Kwacha	P-11			1969	1973	Obverse:Green on multicolorunderprint.Aportraitof presidentKenneth Kaundain tribal outfit on the right.Coat of Armsat upper center. No dot between the currency symbol and face value. Reverse:Copper mining facility. Mining tower at the center, and conveyor belt on the left. Watermark:PresidentKenneth Kaunda
Ten Kwacha	P-12			1969	1973	Obverse:Blue on multicolorunderprint.Aportraitof presidentKenneth Kaundain tribal outfit on the right.Coat of Armsat upper center. No dot between the currency symbol and face value. Reverse:Victoria Fallson theZambezi Riverat center. Watermark:PresidentKenneth Kaunda
Twenty Kwacha	P-13			1969	1973	Obverse:Purple on multicolorunderprint.Aportraitof presidentKenneth Kaundain tribal outfit on the right.Coat of Armsat upper center. No dot between the currency symbol and face value. Reverse:National Assemblybuilding inLusakaat center. Watermark:PresidentKenneth Kaunda

¹First Issued,refers to the year of first issue of the actual banknote from the same emission.
²Last Issued:refers to the year of last issue of the actual banknote from the same emission.

During the second emission period, acommemorative banknote of 1 kwachawas issued in celebration of the declaration ofOne-party stateon December 13, 1972. The banknote was not a legal tender, and had a different frame design than the banknotes of both, the first and second issues.

Later on in 1973, the Bank of Zambia issued the 5 kwacha banknote for the first time. A red-violet on multicolourunderprintdesign was chosen for the new bill note. The new design resulted in a lot of confusion between the existing 50 ngwee bill and the new 5 kwacha one. This urged the Bank of Zambia to adopt a new design for the 50 ngwee banknotes in 1973. A new black and lilac on multicolor underprint was used for easy recognition, nevertheless, this was the last issue of the 50 ngwee banknotes as it was replaced later by a coin. The two new banknotes bore the signature of Mr Bitwell R. Kuwani, and were printed byThomas De La Rue & Co. Limited.Specimen banknoteswere issued for both denominations, with the word SPECIMENoverprintin redsanson both the obverse and reverse.

Denomination	Pick	Obverse	Reverse	F.I1	L.I2	Description
Fifty Ngwee	P-14			1973	1973	Obverse:Black and lilac on multicolorunderprint.Aportraitof presidentKenneth Kaundain tribal outfit on the right.Coat of Armsat upper center. A depiction of anAfrican fish eagleflying in front of theSunon the left. No dot between the currency symbol and face value. Reverse:Miners in copper mine. Watermark:PresidentKenneth Kaunda
Five Kwacha	P-15			1973	1973	Obverse:Red-violet on multicolorunderprint.Aportraitof presidentKenneth Kaundain tribal outfit on the right.Coat of Armsat upper center. No dot between the currency symbol and face value. Reverse:Child painting and children in class at center. School on the left. Watermark:PresidentKenneth Kaunda

¹First Issued,refers to the year of first issue of the actual banknote from the same emission.
²Last Issued:refers to the year of last issue of the actual banknote from the same emission.

Third issue (1974–1976)

Prior to the third issue, short-lived designs of the obverses of the 10 and 20 kwacha banknotes were introduced. The new banknotes were printed by the Englishengraving,and printing companyBradbury, Wilkinson & Co.The new designs featured an older portrait of president Kenneth Kaunda, without the usual frame design, and bearing the signature of Mr Bitwell R. Kuwani. Specimen banknotes were issued for both banknotes, with the word SPECIMEN overprint in red sans on both the obverse and reverse. Thanks to their scarcity, both bills are the most expensive banknotes of the Zambian collection amongnotaphilists.

Denomination	Pick	Obverse	Reverse	F.I1	L.I2	Description
Ten Kwacha	P-17			1974	1974	Obverse:Blue on multicolorunderprint.An olderportraitof presidentKenneth Kaundain tribal outfit on the right.Coat of Armsat upper center. Reverse:Victoria Fallson theZambezi Riverat center.. Watermark:PresidentKenneth Kaunda
Twenty Kwacha	P-18			1974	1974	Obverse:Red and purple on multicolorunderprint.An olderportraitof presidentKenneth Kaundain tribal outfit on the right.Coat of Armsat upper center. Reverse:National Assemblybuilding inLusakaat center. Watermark:PresidentKenneth Kaunda

¹First Issued,refers to the year of first issue of the actual banknote from the same emission.
²Last Issued:refers to the year of last issue of the actual banknote from the same emission.

In 1976, a four bills third issue was issued, in which the old frame design was re-adopted once again. Banknotes with all denominations were reproduced, except for the twenty kwacha bill, which was never issued in spite of being redesigned. All bills bore the signatures of Mr Luke J. Mwananshiku, the fifth governors of the Bank of Zambia, except for the two kwacha banknotes, which retained the signature of Mr Bitwell R. Kuwani. The third emission banknotes were exactly similar to these of the second emission, except for presidentKenneth Kaunda's portrait, where an older portrait replaced the younger portrait appearing on the first, and second emissions. The banknotes were once again printed byThomas De La Rue & Co. Limited,andspecimen banknoteswere issued for each denomination, with the word SPECIMENoverprintin redsanson both the obverse and reverse.

Denomination	Pick	Obverse	Reverse	F.I1	L.I2	Description
One Kwacha	P-19			1976	1980	Obverse:Dark brown on multicolorunderprint.An olderportraitof presidentKenneth Kaundain tribal outfit on the right.Coat of Armsat upper center. Reverse:Farmer plowing field withtractor.Another two farmers plowing the same field with fouroxen. Watermark:PresidentKenneth Kaunda
Two Kwacha	P-20			1976	1980	Obverse:Green on multicolorunderprint.An olderportraitof presidentKenneth Kaundain tribal outfit on the right.Coat of Armsat upper center. Reverse:Copper mining facility. Mining tower at the center, and conveyor belt on the left. Watermark:PresidentKenneth Kaunda
Five Kwacha	P-21			1976	1980	Obverse:Red-violet on multicolorunderprint.An olderportraitof presidentKenneth Kaundain tribal outfit on the right.Coat of Armsat upper center. Reverse:Child painting and children in class at center. School on the left. Watermark:PresidentKenneth Kaunda
Ten Kwacha	P-22			1976	1980	Obverse:Blue on multicolorunderprint.An olderportraitof presidentKenneth Kaundain tribal outfit on the right.Coat of Armsat upper center. Reverse:Victoria Fallson theZambezi Riverat center. Watermark:PresidentKenneth Kaunda
Twenty Kwacha	P-22A			N/A	N/A	Obverse:Purple, and red on multicolorunderprint.An olderportraitof presidentKenneth Kaundain tribal outfit on the right.Coat of Armsat upper center. Reverse:National Assemblybuilding inLusakaat center. Watermark:PresidentKenneth Kaunda

¹First Issued,refers to the year of first issue of the actual banknote from the same emission.
²Last Issued:refers to the year of last issue of the actual banknote from the same emission.

Denomination	Dates
50 ngwee	1968–1973
1 kwacha	1968–1988
2 kwacha	1968–1989
5 kwacha	1973–1989
10 kwacha	1968–1991
20 kwacha	1968–1992
50 kwacha	1986–2013
100 kwacha	1991–2013
500 kwacha	1991–2013
1000 kwacha	1992–2013
5000 kwacha	1992–2013
10,000 kwacha	1992–2013
20,000 kwacha	2003–2013
50,000 kwacha	2003–2013

Until 1991, all Zambian banknotes featured a portrait of PresidentKenneth Kaundaon the obverse. After 1992, all notes have instead featured afish eagleon the obverse. After 1989, all the reverses featured the Chainbreaker statue. In 2003, Zambia became the first African country to issuepolymer banknotes.The 500 and 1000 kwacha were both printed on polymer. Although the old 20 kwacha note was still in circulation until 2012, such is the rarity of this note that most major retailers rounded prices up to the nearest 50 kwacha when calculating a total. Most items in major supermarkets were displayed using 20 kwacha in the value (e.g., 1980 kwacha).

New Kwacha (2012 series)

On January 23, 2012, theBank of Zambiaproposed certain measures in regards of theredenominationof the Zambian kwacha.Such recommendations were initially approved by the government, being one of the measures required to address costs associated with the continuousdevaluationof the national currency, due todepreciationthroughout time, as a direct result of several years of high inflation rates that characterized thenational economyduring the late decades of the 20th century, and the early years of the 21st century.The recommendations were assented to theparliamenton November 3, 2012. Later, The Re-Domination of Currency Act (Act 8 of 2012) was enacted on December 3, 2012.

The old currency unit was divided by 1000, hence, removing three zeros from the preexisting K50,000, K20,000, K10,000, K5,000, and K1,000. The lower denominations of K500, K100, and K50 were also divided by 1000 and were changed into the 1 Kwacha, 50, 10, and 5 Ngwee coins respectively. On the other hand, the preexisting K20 banknote was removed from circulation due to its extremely low purchasing power.

The Bank of Zambia announced January 1, 2013, as the changeover date. On the same day, the new redenominated currency became the legal tender of Zambia.The old and new currencies were allowed to circulate side by side for a transition period of six months, until June 30, 2013.During this period, the old currency was denoted by 'K', whilst the new one was denoted by 'KR'. After the six-month period, the 'KR' symbol was dropped, and the new currency was referred to by the 'K' symbol.

By June 26, 2013, the Bank of Zambia managed to withdraw 3.7 trillion Kwacha in old banknotes, accumulating to about 95.3% of the circulating banknotes. Although the old currency ceased to be legal tender four days later, the Bank of Zambia Deputy Governor, announced that residents who were still holding to the old currency, especially those living in rural areas, could still be able to exchange the old currency for the new one throughcommercial banks,and other designated agents.

Design

While being the first African country to introducepolymer banknotesin 2003, the new currency banknotes are all printed on paper, with advanced security features. The six newly issued banknotes share multiple common features on both theobverse and reverse,together with few different features, that are unique for each banknote. All banknotes have the same height of 70 mm, the 2 Kwacha, and 5 Kwacha banknotes are 140 mm wide, whilst the rest of the banknotes are 145 mm wide. All new banknotes were printed by the German printing companyG&D,except for the 2015 issue of the 100 Kwacha banknote, which was printed by the DutchRoyal Joh. Enschedé.

Obverse

The obverse of the new currency features four common features, found on the obverse of all the six banknotes, and a single unique feature for each one of them. The common features are: theAfrican fish eaglewhich considered, by far, the primary recognition feature on all the Zambian banknotes, together with thecoat of arms,the signature of the Bank of Zambia Governor and obligation to pay the sum indicated on the banknote, and theface valueof the specified banknote. Each banknote features a unique indigenous tree from the abundant forests covering the country.

Reverse

The reverse features theFreedom StatueinLusaka,the issuing authority of legal tenders in Zambia, Bank of Zambia, in the middle at the top, the face value of the banknote in words in the lower left corner, and in numerals in the other three corners. There is also a unique depiction ofwildlifein Zambia, together with an activity based theme on each reverse of the six banknotes.

Denomination	Pick	Obverse	Reverse	Tree	Reverse Theme	Wildlife depiction
Two Kwacha	P-49			Teak	Women trading in market place	Roan antelope
Five Kwacha	P-50			Mopane	Cassavaplant andtuber	Lion
Ten Kwacha	P-51			Sugar plum	Farmers harvesting wheat	Porcupine
Twenty Kwacha	P-52			Mukwa	Minersworking in copper mine	Black Lechwe
Fifty Kwacha	P-53			Sycamore	Bank of ZambiaHeadquarters,Lusaka	Leopard
One Hundred Kwacha	P-54			Baobab	National Assemblybuilding, Lusaka	African buffalo

Security features

Multiple security features were applied to avoidcounterfeit banknotes.Anti-counterfeiting measuresused includedholograms,multi-colored bills, embedded devices such as strips, microprinting, watermarks and different types of optically variable inks, and the use of design features which prevent counterfeiting by photocopying or scanning.

Feature	Two Kwacha	Five Kwacha	Ten Kwacha	Twenty Kwacha	Fifty Kwacha	One Hundred Kwacha
EURion constellation	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Optically Variable Magnetic Ink	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Microprinting	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Iridescentstripe	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
See-throughregistration device	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Serial Numbers	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Latent Image	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No
Watermark	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Security thread	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Holographicstrip	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Intaglio	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Holographicsecurity thread	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Feature	Two Kwacha	Five Kwacha	Ten Kwacha	Twenty Kwacha	Fifty Kwacha	One Hundred Kwacha

Commemorative banknotes

Since its inauguration in 1964 and until the second half of 2016, the Bank of Zambia had issued two commemorative banknotes.The first commemorative banknote was a One Kwacha banknote issued in 1973, commemorating the birth of the second republic, an incident in which the regime, led by presidentKenneth Kaunda,decided on December 13, 1972, to set up aOne-party stateas from January 1, 1973.Apart from the issued note, aspecimen banknotewas also issued in celebration of the same occasion.

On October 23, 2014, one day before the celebrations of theindependence day,the Bank of Zambia revealed its second ever commemorative banknote. A Fifty Kwacha banknote was issued commemorating the 50th Independence Anniversary. Unlike the previous commemorative banknotes and coins of Zambia, the new commemorative banknote was the first commemorative banknote allowed in circulation as alegal tenderin the country, bearing the same features of the existing Fifty Kwacha bills.

Denomination	Pick	Obverse	Reverse	Year	Printer	Description
One Kwacha	P-16a			1973	TDLR	Obverse:Red-orange, and brown on multicolorunderprint.Aportraitof presidentKenneth Kaundaon the right. Reverse:PresidentKenneth Kaundasigning the declaration of theOne-party stateon the left, crowd in the middle. Commemorative Text:THE BIRTH OF THE SECOND REPUBLIC December 13, 1972 Watermark:PresidentKenneth Kaunda
One Kwacha	P-16s			1973	TDLR	Obverse:Red-orange, and brown on multicolorunderprint.Aportraitof presidentKenneth Kaundaon the right. SPECIMENoverprintin redsans. Reverse:PresidentKenneth Kaundasigning the declaration of theOne-party stateon the left, crowd in the middle. SPECIMENoverprintin redsans. Commemorative Text:THE BIRTH OF THE SECOND REPUBLIC December 13, 1972 Watermark:PresidentKenneth Kaunda
Fifty Kwacha	P-55			2014	G&D	Obverse:Blue on multicolorunderprint.Coat of arms,dove,African fish eaglehead,Big Tree National MonumentinKabwe,and African fish eagle perched on a branch. Reverse:Portraitsof thepresidents of Zambiasince independence in 1964 and until 2014, clockwise from top:Kenneth Kaunda,Levy Mwanawasa,Michael Sata,Rupiah Banda,andFrederick Chiluba.Bank of ZambiaHeadquarters, and the Freedom Statue inLusaka. Commemorative Text:50th INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY Watermark:African fish eaglehead

Exchange Rates

• As of 29 July 2024 $1= 26.18 kwacha

Historical Exchange Rates

Currency units per one ZMW kwacha, averaged over the year

Currency Units	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022*	2023*
United States Dollar	5.35	6.15	8.64	10.31	9.53	10.51	12.91	18.31	19.69	16.87	18.47
South African Rand	0.56	0.57	0.67	0.70	0.72	0.79	0.89	1.12	1.33	1.05	1.09
British Pound	8.44	10.14	13.20	14.01	12.27	13.94	16.48	23.40	27.08	20.95	20.03
Euro	7.16	8.17	9.57	11.43	10.76	12.34	14.45	20.99	23.32	17.86	22.87
Chinese Renminbi	0.87	1.00	1.38	1.55	1.40	1.58	1.87	2.66	2.88	2.55	2.73

*Running Average as of 13 January 2023

See also

• Kwacha
• Malawian kwacha
• Economy of Zambia

References

• Krause, Chester L.; Clifford Mishler (1991).Standard Catalog of World Coins:1801–1991(18th ed.). Krause Publications.ISBN0873411501.
• Pick, Albert (1994).Standard Catalog of World Paper Money:General Issues.Colin R. Bruce II and Neil Shafer (editors) (7th ed.). Krause Publications.ISBN0-87341-207-9.

Further reading

• Shacinda, Shapi; Drohan, Madelaine (April 24, 2005)."Bank notes that just fade away; Made-in-Canada flawed currency leaves Zambians wondering if a bill is worth 1,000 kwacha or 500".Toronto Star.p. A11.ProQuest438803680.RetrievedSeptember 20,2014.

External links

• Zambia Coins Catalog
• Online catalog and extensive information on Zambian paper money issues since 1963 from colnect
• Online catalog and extensive information on Zambian coinage since 1964 from colnect
• The banknotes of Zambia(in English and German)

Preceded by: Zambian pound Ratio:2 kwacha = 1 pound

Currency ofZambia 1968 – December 31, 2012

Succeeded by: Second kwacha Reason:convenience of exchange Ratio:1 second kwacha = 1000 first kwacha

Preceded by: First kwacha Ratio:1 second kwacha = 1000 first kwacha

Currency ofZambia January 1, 2013 –

Succeeded by: Current

Current ZMW exchange rates
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