The upgraded Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) banknotes are now in circulation across the capital, fulfilling the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s (RBZ) promise to roll out the new series starting Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Members of the public have begun accessing the new ZiG10, ZiG20, and ZiG50 denominations at banks and through daily transactions, marking the first phase of the “Big 5” ZiG notes entering the economy.
The new currency is already visible on the streets of Harare, as people handle the upgraded bills in markets, shops, and public transport.
The redesigned notes feature enhanced security elements, improved durability to resist tearing and fading, and a refined design aligned with international standards. They will circulate alongside the existing ZiG notes, which remain legal tender until they are gradually phased out.
In its official statement, the RBZ confirmed that the phased introduction is proceeding as planned.
“The higher ZiG100 and ZiG200 denominations will gradually be introduced in due course, guided by transactional demand and monetary and financial conditions in the domestic economy,” the central bank said.
The RBZ added that ZiG coins — introduced on April 5, 2024, in ZiG1, ZiG2, and ZiG5 denominations — have been reissued in sufficient quantities. These coins will continue to support small-value transactions and help reduce pressure on low-denomination notes.
Speaking with Hurumende News Hub, members of the public expressed mixed reactions to the arrival of the new notes.
Some residents welcomed the development. “I’m happy to finally see clean, strong notes that don’t tear easily,” said Tendai Moyo, a vendor operating in central Harare.
“The old ones were getting dirty and worn out quickly. This feels like the upgrade we were promised, and it should make small transactions smoother.”
Others remained cautious or unimpressed. Mary Chiweshe, a pensioner who received one of the new notes while shopping, said: “It looks nicer, but we’ve had new money before.
What I care about is whether prices will come down and if ZiG will be accepted everywhere without problems. For now, people still prefer US dollars.”
A young commuter, Farai Ncube, expressed similar reservations:
“The notes are fine, but until businesses fully embrace ZiG and stop pushing dollars, many ordinary people won’t feel the difference. We hope this time it works as promised.”
The RBZ has assured the public that adequate supplies of the new notes have been distributed to banks nationwide to meet demand and prevent any liquidity shortages. The orderly rollout forms part of ongoing efforts to build confidence in the gold-backed ZiG within Zimbabwe’s largely dollarised economy.
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