Bank of Zambia warns old banknotes will become unusable after March 31

The Bank of Zambia (BoZ) has issued a stern warning to the public that old banknotes will cease to be legal tender and become unusable after March 31, 2026, urging everyone to exchange their currency before the deadline.

In a public notice issued on Wednesday, BoZ Assistant Director of Communications, Besnat Mwanza, emphasized the importance of meeting the deadline.

She said, “Members of the public are advised to exchange old banknotes at designated cash exchange points before March 31, 2026. Any old banknotes not exchanged by this date will no longer be valid for transactions or accepted for exchange into the new currency series.”

Read more: Bank of Zambia circulates new K100, K50 banknotes

The notice comes as the central bank marks the one-year transition period following the introduction of Zambia’s new currency family—six banknotes and six coins—on March 31, 2025.

Since then, both the old and new currencies have been circulating together.

Mwanza reminded the public that exchanges can be made at any commercial bank or NATSAVE branch nationwide at the same value, stressing that failure to act will render old banknotes worthless.

“The Bank of Zambia urges all citizens to take action now to avoid losing the value of their money,” Mwanza added.

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