RBM Introduces 50 and 20 Kwacha Coins to Improve Currency Durability
Published on March 17, 2026 at 11:59 AM by Edgar Naitha
The Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) has announced the introduction of new 50 and 20 Kwacha coins, which will begin circulating on 24 April 2026.
RBM Governor George Partridge said the move is part of ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency and durability of the country’s currency.
He explained that the current 50 and 20 Kwacha banknotes wear out quickly due to frequent use, making them costly to replace.
To address this, the bank decided to convert the two denominations from paper notes into coins, which last much longer.
Partridge noted that coins can remain in circulation for 10 to 20 years, compared to less than a year for the existing notes.
He assured the public that the value of the denominations will remain unchanged and that both coins and notes will circulate together for now.
The RBM also urged citizens to accept lower-value denominations, highlighting their importance in everyday transactions and preventing price rounding.
