RBZ Unleashes New ZiG Banknotes: Governor Mushayavanhu Confirms Nationwide Rollout

New Zig notes

By Southerton Business Times Reporter

HARARE – The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) is set to inject a fresh wave of liquidity into the economy starting Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Governor John Mushayavanhu has confirmed that commercial banks are ready to begin distributing new Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) banknotes, ending weeks of anticipation for increased physical cash.

In an exclusive briefing, the Governor revealed that the central bank has printed sufficient quantities of the ZiG 10, 20, and 50 denominations to meet market demand. While the ZiG 10 and 20 notes are already familiar to the public, the introduction of the ZiG 50 banknote is expected to significantly ease transaction hurdles for larger purchases.

To maintain monetary stability and curb potential black-market speculation, the RBZ has adjusted the weekly cash withdrawal limits:

• Individuals: ZiG 10,000 per week.

• Corporates: ZiG 100,000 per week.

“All banks have already collected their share based on anticipated demand,” Mushayavanhu stated. “Economic agents will be able to access their cash requirements through normal banking channels starting this week.”

Addressing concerns regarding the transition from older notes, the Governor clarified that there will be no designated exchange centers. Instead, the RBZ is adopting a "simultaneous circulation" model. Old ZiG banknotes currently in the hands of the public remain legal tender. However, once these notes are deposited into the banking system by retailers or individuals, they will be "automatically phased out" and replaced by the newer, crisp banknotes.

“There will be no exchange posts; the new notes will be obtained normally in the course of commercial and banking transactions,” Mushayavanhu emphasized.

The Southerton Business Times notes that the availability of higher denominations like the ZiG 50 is a welcome relief for the informal sector and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), which have struggled with "change" issues and bulky stacks of lower-value notes.

Local economists suggest that while the injection of cash is necessary for the "Leave no one and no place behind" developmental agenda, the RBZ must remain vigilant. The success of this rollout depends heavily on the bank’s ability to back the ZiG with tangible gold and foreign currency reserves to prevent the inflationary pressures that plagued previous Zimbabwean currencies.

Zimbabwe Gold ZiG banknotes 2026