The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has intensified its Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) awareness campaign, taking the programme to rural communities as part of efforts to strengthen public understanding and confidence ahead of the rollout of new banknotes this April.
The nationwide campaign is aimed at promoting financial literacy and building public trust in the ZiG currency as authorities prepare to introduce more durable and secure notes into circulation.
Speaking during an outreach meeting in Gutu recently, RBZ Governor Dr John Mushayavanhu said the programme seeks to ensure that citizens across the country understand the fundamentals of Zimbabwe’s monetary policy and the importance of supporting the local currency.
“As the Reserve Bank, our priority is to maintain a stable currency, achieve price stability and instill public confidence in our own currency,” said Dr Mushayavanhu.
“The Zimbabwe Gold is backed by our gold reserves, which now stand at over four tonnes, together with other reserves. With inflation now at single digits and money supply under control, we are confident about the stability of the ZiG. We are also introducing more durable and secure notes to support transactions across the economy.”
Community members who attended the meeting welcomed the initiative, saying it had helped clarify key aspects of the currency and its role in everyday transactions.
Local resident, Rose Mutimusakwa said the outreach programme had demystified the ZiG currency to their rural community.
“We are grateful that the Reserve Bank has come to explain the ZiG currency and the new notes they are going to put in circulation. Now we understand how it works and why it is important to support it in our daily transactions,” she said.
Another villager, Brendon Chigova, said the financial education campaign was important in strengthening national confidence in the local currency.
“We are proud to have our own currency as Zimbabweans. The explanations we received today helped us understand Zimbabwe Gold and why we must support it for the growth of our economy,” he said.
Prudence Ruzivo said news of the introduction of stronger and more secure banknotes had been well received, particularly in rural areas where cash transactions remain common.
“We are happy to hear that new ZiG notes will be introduced. They are said to be more durable and secure, which will make it easier for people, especially in rural areas, to use the currency,” she said.
Also present at the outreach meeting was the Minister of State for National Security, Lovemore Matuke, who urged communities to support the country’s ongoing monetary reforms.
The Deputy President of the Chiefs’ Council of Zimbabwe, Fortune Charumbira, also added that traditional leaders would help spread awareness of the programme at grassroots level.
“As traditional leaders, we are happy that the Government is engaging communities directly. From the explanations given here, we will continue to take these awareness campaigns further to our people,” he said.
He added that collective support for the ZiG and the new banknotes would contribute to strengthening the economy and advancing national development.
The RBZ has said it will continue the outreach programme across all provinces ahead of the rollout, emphasising that broad public understanding and adoption of the Zimbabwe Gold currency are key to sustaining economic stability.
