RBZ launches ZiG Awareness Campaign in Matabeleland South

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has launched the Big ZiG campaign in Matabeleland South, marking the beginning of a province-wide awareness drive on the introduction of upgraded ZiG banknotes.

The launch, held on Wednesday in Gwanda, was attended by chiefs, heads of Government departments, representatives of local authorities, political party leaders, members of the business community and other key stakeholders.

Three teams have since been deployed across the province’s districts to educate communities as part of the awareness campaign, which will run until March 30.

The RBZ recently unveiled a new series of Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) banknotes, which are set to enter circulation on April 7, 2026. The new notes will circulate alongside the existing series introduced in April 2024.

Speaking during the presentation of the 2026 Monetary Policy Statement on February 27, RBZ Governor Dr John Mushayavanhu said the new notes do not represent a new currency, but rather an upgrade featuring improved designs and enhanced security features.

Smaller denominations — ZiG10, ZiG20 and ZiG50 — will be released on April 7, while higher denominations, ZiG100 and ZiG200, will be introduced at a later stage.

The RBZ also announced that it will roll out an extensive public awareness campaign ahead of the circulation date to familiarise citizens with the new notes and their security features.

The introduction of the upgraded banknotes comes at a time when the local currency is recording increased stability.

According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat), the ZiG year-on-year inflation rate for February 2026 stood at 3.8 percent, down from 4.1 percent recorded in January, reflecting a decline of 0.3 percentage points.